Save time everyday by getting to the point! Improve your communication by saying LESS!

I’m all for small talk and chit chat at appropriate times or on a long lazy afternoon chatting to a friend but if you would like others to listen to you more, understand you better and save time then saying less is an important communication skill to have.

Often some people have really important things to say, idea’s, information, instruction and/or direction to share but they bury their words amongst so many other words that what they’re saying is not actually clear.

The drawbacks from talking too much can be:

• If you fail to get to the point you can risk your ideas being over-looked or going un-noticed. 
• You say too much trying to justify your point instead of staying it straight you can appear as being convincing instead of speaking with clear confidence and conviction.
• People can automatically tune out because you have a reputation of going on and on about… well not too much really!  

Why don’t people get to the point more often?

• They like the sound of their own voice!
• They feel they have to justify and convince others of their way or point of view
• They are hiding the truth

Facilitating our Jina Life Coaching Personal Development Programs and in my coaching role I have done a lot of listening to others talk.

Sometimes when listening to a client’s story, amongst all their words I can see the few that actually speak their truth.

I can then summarise this back to the client e.g: So Mary what you’re saying is that you are deciding to either stay with your husband or leave him.

And so many times with big talkers they reply back with oh that’s putting it a bit harsh isn’t it! But it’s in fact exactly what they’re thinking. Because they cover it up with all these other factors and aspects they fail to address their problems because they can’t see their own truth.

Why are people clouded by their own words and conversations they even have with themselves?

They do this so their truth and reality won’t look so bad, won’t be so bad when put into the bigger scheme of things….

The other thing I have noticed about big talkers who fail to get to the point is that they are the ones who struggle the most with getting things done. The just feel so overwhelmed with all the things in their life, all the tasks they need to do to get to their goals.

My advice tips in getting to the point are:

1. Try getting to the point more often this month.
2. Keep the social small talk where required but otherwise become conscious of getting straight to the point – just do it for fun and see how it goes for you!
3. When you are clear with what you say, it means you know exactly what it is you are trying to say. You know how people can talk for half an hour and then say ‘What I’m really trying to say is..’ Well just start there!
4. You look more confident and in control when you get to the point for clearly you know what you want and where you’re going.

Watch yourself save time for more fun things in your life!

Live Your Best Life!

For more information
Contact : Jacqueline Pigdon
Tel No : +61 (0) 404 362 379
Email : jacqueline@jinalife.com

Many people feel like they are not being heard and others don’t listen to them. Perhaps it’s your children, spouse, colleagues or your boss.

Here are 10 TIPS to help get people listening to you when you speak:

1. Vary your tone of voice – when you are emotionally connected and passionate about what you are saying it will sound better and come across as more interesting!

2. Express more of your true self when speaking – don’t be afraid to be yourself.

3. Be aware of your volume, we all know constantly yelling to be heard DOESN’T WORK as people simply switch off thinking ‘there you go again…’

4. Listen to others first and pay your full 100% attention when they are speaking – when you show that you are an excellent listener people are much more likely to listen to you.

5. Articulate your words properly, don’t phase off into a mumble or walk away while you’re still speaking.

6. Stop and be silent if you think someone is not listening and wait until they are – speaking while someone isn’t listening is a complete waste of their and your time.

7. Quality versus quantity, a common problem for those who feel or know people are not listening to them is that they have a habit of ramble on and on – way too many words to get their point across. Remember sometimes people don’t have half an hour to wait for you to get to the point. If this is you severely cut back your word count and practice getting straight to the point and watch the results.

8. Leisurely conversations can be some of the best conversation you have – but on a day to day communication basis ask yourself – what do you want to get out of this conversation? What is the aim? Do you want to share information sharing, gain an understanding, resolving an issue, come to an agreement on something? When you know what your outcome is you can direct yourself straight towards it.

9. Stop repeating yourself – say what you have to say once. Then if someone complains that they didn’t know or you didn’t tell them you simply say ‘Yes I told you on this day at this time while we were doing this – not my fault if you weren’t listening.’ 

10. Remember we have two ears and one mouth for a reason – we need to listen twice as much as we speak!

When you’re not being heard it can damage your self confidence and self worth so follow these tips and if you don’t have this problem make sure you listen to others so they always feel heard.

For more information
Contact : Jacqueline Pigdon
Tel No   : +61 (0) 404 362 379
Email    : jacqueline@jinalife.com