by | Jul 29, 2013 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Whatever field you may be in communication is vital and a necessity.
In this highly competitive business world, many small companies look for phone options small companies look for phone options that will give them the advantage over its competitors. In many instances, the success of a business is driven by how well its employees communicate with each other and with its clients. Strong communication skills, whether verbal and non-verbal, are essential to make any relationship a success; especially in the business world. Without dynamic communication skills, even a company with the best products or services will not survive.
In my experience, strong workplace communication is not only important but a necessity. Whether it is telephone conversations or email messages, I am in constant contact with co-workers, clients and external contacts, all throughout the day. About.com offers several tips for improving workplace communication, but here are a few of my own tips that have worked for me through the years.
JT at Work
1) Know who you are talking to.
If you are talking with someone on the telephone, or sending an email at the computer, you need know who is on the other end of that conversation. You need to know what your coworker’s role is with the company. Or if it is a client, what is that person’s relationship with your company. If you do not know who you are dealing with, you may say the wrong thing to them and can cause a potential project to be missed. For example, if your client prefers to be called Mr. Smith and you keep referring to him as Jimmy; he may not want to continue his partnership with your company. It is a simple mistake, but often times it is the simple mistakes that have the greatest impact.
2) Know what type of communication is appropriate.
Each person that you come in contact with during the day has his or her own style of communication. Some people mainly communicate on the phone; while others are exclusively email people. If you are new on the job or you are working with new coworkers, it is critically to know how they want to be informed of necessary information. You do not want to send countless emails to someone who never checks his or her email. Check with the person and find out for certain and make sure that in the future any communication is done with the preferred method.
3) Monitor your word choice.
Whether it is in an email message or on the phone, sometimes your word choice can make or break the success of that conversation. Sometimes your word choice may be too rough and people will not respond in a positive way or may not respond at all. Your word choice may confuse the people and produce undesired resulted. Take an extra few moments to construct your email message before sending it out. Or, have the telephone conversation in your mind prior to making the call. This extra time will produce the results you are looking for.
JT at work
The work environment is filled with a diverse group of employees. With a wide variety of lifestyles, viewpoints and backgrounds, it is vital to know how to communicate with each of these people. I have learned that the same method does not work for everyone. Through trial and error, I have learned what works best. But I have had to take the time and learn habits and learn what the specific needs are. If you make the same effort, I know you will have a successful work experience.
by | Jun 30, 2013 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
I am focusing more on reading the Bible and books that I have in my library. How can I talk about what I believe in if I don’t study and continually develop a personal relationship with the Lord.
I am part of FaithVillage.com and they have a great book review group where I can pick out a book from their selection, they send it to me, I read it and give my honest review of it.
Jesus the One and Only
by Beth Moore
The book I selected was Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore. Beth Moore is the Founder of LivingProof Ministries. In the early chapters of this book, Beth gives a realistic interpretation of what Mary felt like and what she might of went through when giving birth to the Son of God. One highlight for me is that she made me feel like Mary was human, which she was, not that she was someone that I should worship. I have never read a book that described Mary in so much detail, and Beth writes in a way where she gives her own personal experiences. For example, what she felt like when she first gave birth and how if felt to see her little girl in her arms.
She said that God gave her an example of what Mary’s first moments might have been like as a mother.
A snippet of the book Moore writes:
“Her body lay sapped of strength, her eyes were heavily closed, but her mind refused to give way to rest. She ached for her mother.”
This book really made me think of Mary differently. I knew she was the mother of the Son of God; but to see her imagined in a different light was quite interesting and refreshing.
This book gives a view of Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and is so good at giving observation and specific detail. I felt like I was right there. The author never says that this is the way it was when she describes a specific scenario. She always says that it is an interpretation or what she imagined it might be like. She incorporates scripture so the book is not only of her thoughts.
This book also has a sample of the study guide that can also be purchased if you want to delve into the bible study.
If you want to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, this is good book to start. The number one book is your Bible; but this is a good book to read.
I received this book free from Faith Village.com. I am giving my honest review and didn’t have to give a positive review. This in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
by | Jun 15, 2013 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
On this Father’s Day, I honor my Dad who went to be with the Lord in 2003.
Love and compassion. He was a kind, God-fearing man who worked hard to provide for his family. My mother did not work she was an awesome stay at home mother; so he was the bread winner. It was not always easy; but we made it. I will always remember him giving me undercover candy when my mother wanted me to constantly eat healthy snacks. He always looked out for me; and I admire him for that.
I am the only child and I knew that I was in a house of love.
I remember my Daddy riding the bus with me to college because my mother did not want me to be on the bus by myself. I needed to be close to home when I went to college so I went to a small private college in town. At the time, I did not understand why he had to ride the bus with me. But I look back now and I am so thankful for him being with me and taking care of me.
When my grandmother became ill, my Daddy stayed with her after he would get off of work so that she would not be in the house alone. She had previously walked out the house and became disoriented. After that time, it was important for someone to be in the house with her. He did not have to do that, but he did when no one else stepped in. I admire him so much for giving of his time.
JT’s Grandmother and Dad
I know I should be cheerful on this Father’s Day. However, as I write this, tears role down my face when I see these pictures. My Father is with the Lord in heaven and I am happy that I know that I will see my Dad, my Mother and my Grandmother again.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
by | May 13, 2013 | Fashion, From the Heart, Inspirations |
My Grandmother and I
I celebrated my birthday on Saturday with my hubby. Every year, my birthday and Mother’s Day always seem to to fall on the same weekend. Some years, both are on the same day. I have feelings of joy and sadness. I have to cast that sadness down because my mother and grandmother are both with the Lord and would not want to come back.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)
I miss my mother and grandmother; but I know I will see them again so that puts a smile on my face.
Today I was going through vintage photos and came across a photo of my grandmother and I. I might have been eight years old in the picture above. She was coming off the train from traveling out of town. Sometimes, she would travel with her church friends. Other times she would visit family in Mississippi or Chicago. She was a sweet lady who loved the Lord and loved her family very much.
My Grandmother was a sharp lady. I know that is where I get my style from. It is in my blood. The picture above is one of my favorite pictures. She looks like she could be on her way to church or an evening out at the theater. I am not sure when this photograph was taken, maybe the 1940s. This stylish outfit could work today, just as it did then. Her classic style has inspired me ever since I was a little girl.
My mother was strong and confident in who she was as a person, and I admire her for that. I do not have many photographs of my mother and none of us together. She did not like to be photographed, even though she was very pretty. My mother died in 1994. It has been nineteen years; but sometimes it seems like yesterday. I hold on to the values she taught me, and the love she gave me.
Cherish your mother if you are blessed to have her with you. Tell her that you love her; even if you have already told her and give her a hug. A mother is a wonderful treasure to have, she is a queen to behold. If you treat your parents well, you will continue to be blessed beyond measure.
Linked to:
Not Dead Yet Style
by | Apr 7, 2013 | Beauty, Fashion, From the Heart, Inspirations |
Getting ready for church this morning and I realized my hair is still wet from my twist out. What is a girl to do? I washed my hair last night, detangled, conditioned and had six twists on each side of my head. Ready to be styled in the morning. Well, I had let my hair air-dry last night; but my hair is quite thick. This morning my hair was not dripping wet; but it was damp.
Again I say, What am I to do?
Thoughts in my head of wearing a cap, but it is way too warm for that today. Maybe I could wear it up and no one would never know that I didn’t get the soft lustrous curls that I wanted.
What did I do?
I untwisted my hair added some Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk and styled it to the best of my ability. As you can see in the photo below, this is naturally me.
JTwisdom’s natural curls.
I am not fond of hair shrinkage; but I said to myself, “This is who I am, so people can take it or leave it.” A few years back, I would of never had worn my hair in this style. It was always straightened either with a pressing comb or by a relaxer. Almost four years ago, I decided to go relaxer free. I had to learn how to style my hair and find out through trail and error what products work best for my texture.
JTwisdom’s natural curls
Here I am, hair shrinkage and all. My hubby was constantly saying that he thought it was cute; but all I could think about was how short it looked.
But you know what, I went to church and got received several compliments.
My hubby said, “Is it better hearing it also from someone else?”
I said, “No.” But his comment made me think that I have to be fine with myself.
God’s word says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
God made me and He gave me curly hair and I have to love me some me. If I do not love myself; how can I show love to anyone else.
- JTwisdom
I find that the times when I don’t think I look my best are the days that I get the most compliments. Here I am talking about the shrinkage in my hair and a lady today said to me that she would have to pay to get hair like mine, meaning she would have to buy a curly wig. Go figure?
But the tidbit of advice to remember: Compliments are great; but if there are no compliments, you have to feel that self love inside that you know that you are beautiful.
Outfit in Review
Cardigan Macys
Silk Blouse J Crew
Tights Macys
Wedges Vince Camuto
Necklace – Nolan Miller
Bangle – Bronzo Italia
Gem silver cuff – gift
Fragrance – Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi
This post is linked with NotDeadYetStyle
Visible Monday
by | Feb 7, 2013 | From the Heart |
The Christmas season is now but a distant memory for most of us. But you may be reminded of it, not for the joyous memories of spending time with your family. But instead, thoughts of paying for all those gifts you bought are racing through your mind. You maybe thinking about fiscal cliffs and tax increases, and wondering about debt help terms. It may be a bit over whelming; but debt counselors like ALLABOUTMONEY.COM can help.
Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since.You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday seasons should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
Follow!