Communication Skills.

Being able to communicate effectively with others is important to our psychological well-being for a number of important reasons. Communication allows us to convey our needs and feelings to others, as well as to respond to and respect the needs of others. In addition, communication helps us develop significant relationships with friends and family, as well as with romantic partners. In fact, social support is one of the most important factors that can protect us from unpleasant emotions such as anxiety and depression. Being able to talk to those we trust allows us to express how we feel, as well as to get some feedback and support.

Can you imagine not being able to ask for help or affection from a significant other? Or not being able to state your disinterest in seeing a horror movie when out with friends? What about not having any meaningful relationships in your life? If any of these are difficult for you, chances are you may need to work on developing or improving your communication skills.

In order to effectively communicate with others, we need to develop three distinct yet inter-related skill sets. These are: assertiveness, conversational or verbal communication skills and nonverbal communication skills. The reminder of this toolkit will focus on helping you develop each skill set.

VALUABLE COMMUNICATION ATTITUDES.

Before we move on to assessing and developing your communication skills, try to keep these two attitudes that are worth developing in mind. These are: 1) being proactive and; 2) thinking win/win (Covey, 1989).

1. Being proactive: Being proactive means that you decide to take responsibility for your life. In essence, you ‘take the bull by the horns’ or ‘captain your own ship’ and refuse to let life ‘pass you by’. Thus, you choose to be happy, to achieve success, to be happy, afraid and even to put this toolkit into action! Genetics, events, people and unfortunate circumstances take the back seat to your ability to choose and control your life. You ‘act’ and do not ‘react’! Remember that one of the only things that cannot be taken away from you is your ability to choose! When interacting with other people, create what you want by choosing to take responsibility and putting yourself in the situation to achieve your goal. If you see a potential romantic partner, go talk to them. If you are interested in a new career, talk to someone in the field to get their advice. Remember that the alternative to being proactive is a life filled with regret and “I should have”.

2. Thinking win/win: The society we live in tends to evaluate success in a bipolar way because much of what we are exposed to daily is based on competition. For example, during most sports there is a clear ‘winner’ and ‘loser’. In business, the goal is to provide the best service or product to maximize profits and beat the competition. In essence, I succeed if I win and you lose, whereas I lose if you win. Thus, it is no small wonder why interpersonal interactions can also be seen as a game in which there is a clear ‘winner’ and ‘loser’. However, there is another way to approach relationships with other people. Thinking win/win is a more mature and confident way to approach human interactions. Rather than focusing on competition and winning at all costs, this attitude seeks co-operation and mutual benefit so that both parties end up succeeding, achieving their goal and being fulfilled as a result. When interacting with others, try to keep this attitude in mind. Chances are you will get what you want if the other party feels they are as well.

ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING.

If you need to develop your assertiveness skills, use the toolkit on Assertiveness Training that has already been developed. If you are unsure of whether assertiveness is a problem for you, complete the following self-assessment by answering these questions. If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, chances are you may need some assertiveness training.

• You are generally passive and keep quiet. You never or rarely state your opinion as well as what you want or need. • You have difficulty saying “No.”

• You keep things bottled up inside you and eventually blow up.

• You find that the only way you can get what you need is by being aggressive.

• You feel that others take advantage of you or give you too much to do.

• You eventually give in to what others want.

• You feel that you are not respected by others.

• You have little or no self-respect because you do not communicate your needs, wants or opinions. 

Some people are afraid of being assertive because they hold certain myths about what it means to be assertive. Myths are not based on facts and as a result are not true. The following are common myths about assertiveness and how to go about challenging them.

Myth #1: Being assertive means being aggressive. This is false. When we are assertive, we do not raise our voice or shout at other people. Nor do we try to intimidate the other person by moving into their personal space or by being threatening. When assertive, the goal is not to convince others of our opinions or that we are right at all costs. These behaviours are aggressive. When we act assertively, we speak with a normal tone, respect personal distance and state our opinions, needs or wants.

Myth #2: Being assertive means getting my way all the time. Not true. Assertiveness means expressing your opinions, wants or needs. Selfexpression does not mean that you are forcing others to agree with you. Rather, assertiveness means that you respect how others express themselves.

Myth #3: If I am assertive other people will not like me. Being quiet means others will love me. Another myth that is not true. Being passive means you will simply follow what others say and do. There is no guarantee that others will like you more for this. In fact, some people who are passive eventually blow up at others because they can no longer take it. Will other people like you in this case? Some people also get irritated or annoyed at people who never state their opinion or what they want.

Myth #4: Being assertive means being selfish. False. Expressing your opinions and needs is not selfish but a part of being human. In addition, assertiveness means that you respect others opinions and values even if you disagree with them. Behaving with an assertive attitude means both giving and receiving respect.

Myth #5: I always have to say “Yes” and do what others want me to do. Not true again. Being assertive means communicating your boundaries and limits. If we are worried that others may think we are no good, lazy, uncaring, etc. because we say “No”, stating our limits is good for yourself and others as well. For example, stating we are overloaded with work and cannot take on another tasks will be beneficial to you and to the person delegating. Otherwise your quality of work may decrease or the task may not get completed. In fact, we can’t expect others to know our limits, so we need to communicate them. Most people will be understanding once they know our boundaries.

Myth #6: By being assertive I will always get what I want. This is a final untrue myth. Assertiveness does not guarantee we will get what we want no matter how reasonable the request is or how nicely we ask. It means we express our opinions, needs or wants and can respect ourselves as a result. 

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION.

Although we tend to think that communication is mostly verbal, what we communicate with our bodies, that is, our nonverbal communication, plays as big a role. In fact, there is much research suggesting that nonverbal communication can play an even bigger role than what we say. Nonverbal communication involves where we look, the tone of our voice and even our body posture. Let’s use a quick example. Imagine you are speaking to someone and they look disinterested. They will probably not look you in the eye, but rather look at the wall or clock and turn away from you. No matter how interested they say they are, their nonverbal behaviour speaks otherwise.

Nonverbal behaviour can communicate all sorts of messages to the other person, which is why we need to pay attention to it. For example:

• How you are feeling (e.g. scared, depressed or angry).

• Degree of interest.

• Knowledge of the specific subject matter being discussed.

• Your attitude (e.g. disgust, submissiveness).

• Honesty (i.e. are you hiding anything).

How To Improve Your Nonverbal Communication Skills

1. Perform a self-assessment. Use the following to help you identify potential problem areas.

a. Tone and volume of voice: Do you have a low volume, can you be heard? Does your voice lack confidence? Does it sound shaky? Do you stutter? Speak quickly and not take regular breaths?

b. Body movement: Do you keep your hands stiff by your side? Wave your hands uncontrollably? Keep your arms crossed all the time? Remain rigid? Do you nod occasionally to let the other person know you understand them or are interested?

c. Eye contact: Do you stare and not blink when looking at the other person? Do you look away most of the time or stare at an object and not make eye contact?

d. Body Posture: Do you slouch when you sit? Do you keep your head down? Turn and look at the person?

e. Physical distance: Do you give the other person a comfortable amount of personal distance (i.e. not too close or far)? Give space to a new person who joins the conversation when in a group?

f. Facial expression: Do you smile too much or not at all?

2. Practice developing these skills.

a. Don’t try to practice too many of these skills at once. Start with a few and move on only when you have mastered them.

b. If you feel comfortable, ask for a friend’s or relative’s help. Sometime we think that we look uncomfortable or appear anxious etc. Get the feedback of a trusted person to help you out if you can. 

c. If finding a friend is not possible, practice in front of a mirror. Although this may feel weird, you’ll get immediate feedback and you can practice as many times as necessary without anything negative happening.

d. If you have access to a video camera, record yourself. Watch the tape and practice your problem areas.

e. Once you have gained some confidence, practice these skills in the real world. Make sure to start off practicing with people with whom you would find it easier. If you feel it would be easier with friends, choose them. If a teller or clerk might be best, then go to a store and practice. To help you out, it might be useful to read the toolkit on Exposure Therapy to help you out.

Hint: We are not born with good social skills. Communication skills are not like personality traits or innate abilities. They are skills that need to be developed by continual practice. So practice! practice! practice! as much as you can.

CONVERSATION SKILLS

1. Perform a self-assessment. Use the following to help you identify potential problem areas that you may want to work on. For example: • Do you have trouble starting or keeping a conversation going? • You don’t know what to say during a conversation? • Is it hard to know what to say if the conversation becomes conflictual? • Are you reluctant to talk about yourself?

2. Practice developing your verbal skills. a. Starting a conversation. Make sure to introduce yourself first if you do not know the person. For example, make eye contact and say, “Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. My name is …”. Then move on to a topic that is general and that everyone can discuss. Examples include the weather, the news, make an observation (e.g. I overheard that you like sports) or give a compliment (e.g. That’s a nice necklace).

• Make sure to pay attention to your nonverbal behaviour.

• Once the conversation is going well, you can move on to more personal topics. For example, interests, political or religious beliefs, family or your career.

• If someone else wants to join in, make sure to turn slightly towards them so that you form a circle so that everyone can be a part of the conversation.

b. How to keep a conversation going. Make sure you pause so that the other person can get a word in. Remember that a conversation is a two-way street.

• Pick a subject you have talked about and keep asking follow-up questions. For example, if the other person works as a physicist, ask them how they got into the field, what school they went to, what exactly they do, etc.

• Focus on the conversation and what the other person has to say rather than if you feel nervous or think your voice may be shaky. Concentrating on yourself will make talking harder, so focus on what the other person is saying.

• Don’t try to be witty or funny. Just go with the flow of the conversation.

Hint: Take a moment and observe a conversation between two people. You will likely notice that the conversation alternates between self-disclosure and asking follow-up questions.

c. Keep the following ‘listening’ principles in mind (Burns, 1999).

• Disarming: If the discussion is getting a better heated or conflictual, find some truth in what the other person has said even if you disagree, think they are wrong or that it is unfair. Disarming will show you are listening, deescalate the situation and help you get back on track to the discussion.

• Thought or feeling empathy: Paraphrase what the other person is thinking or feeling. For example, “So you think that the new reforms on healthcare are good” or “You feel it was unfair when I showed up late.” This shows the other person that you are listening to them.

• Inquiring: If you are unsure of what the person means or is saying, simply ask a follow-up question to learn more. This will show the other person that you feel what they are saying is important.

d. Keep the following ‘self-expression’ principles in mind (Burns, 1999).

• Use “I feel” statements: This is particularly true when conflict is involved. For example, “I feel upset when people don’t show up on time” or “I feel hurt when people yell.” Try to avoid using “you” statements, which is tough to do! For example, “I hate when you’re late” or “I hate when you yell at me.” “You” statements make others feel criticized and puts them on the defense, making effective communication unlikely.

• Stroking: Find something positive to say about the person to indicate that you value and respect them even if you are angry with them.

e. Practicing with others. Make sure to practice your new conversation skills with friends, family, strangers (e.g. salesperson in a store, someone in the elevator) or co-workers. If you find it useful, create a fear hierarchy using the toolkit on Exposure Therapy to help you out. If you get comfortable, try breaking out of your routine by trying something new. For example, go up to a stranger and compliment them, tell a friend about a personal weakness or give two compliments each day. Remember that effective communication is a skill, so practice will make perfect, or as close to perfect as possible! 

Source: Montrealcbtpsychologist.com

La importancia del inglés en tu vida profesional.

Nota: Esta es una realidad española que no es ajena a la de otros países en el mundo.

El inglés sigue siendo una de las grandes asignaturas pendientes de los profesionales españoles: según el Business English Index, nuestro país suspende a la hora de manejarse con soltura en este idioma, con un 4.43 de media. Sin embargo, el porcentaje de ofertas laborales que lo exigen no deja de crecer.

Un informe reciente de Adecco e Infoempleo revela que 32.8% de las ofertas de trabajo publicadas requiere conocer al menos un idioma extranjero. Para que no te quedes atrás, hoy vamos a hablar de la importancia de un buen inglés para tu vida laboral y a enseñarte cómo subir de nivel o emprender sin darte cuenta.

Tres motivos profesionales para aprender inglés son:

Puestos directivos. Sin un nivel adecuado de inglés, resulta mucho más complicado progresar laboralmente. Y es que cuanta más responsabilidad conlleva un puesto, más probable es que requiera conocimientos de inglés. Según un estudio de Randstad, 75% de las ofertas de puestos para altos directivos tienen el inglés como requisito.

Nuevas oportunidades laborales. Saber inglés abre las puertas a muchas oportunidades laborales apasionantes, desde trabajar una temporada en el extranjero a desempeñar un cargo en una multinacional o por qué no hacer tu propio emprendimiento. En un mercado tan dinámico como el actual, donde la globalización e internet están acabando con las fronteras, poder comunicarse con colegas de todo el mundo es cada vez más imprescindible.

Facilitar el día a día laboral. Tener un buen nivel de inglés hace posible acceder a todo tipo de recursos internacionales: páginas web, aplicaciones, informes... lo que nos da una ventaja en el día a día laboral. Además, conocer las expresiones adecuadas y saber desenvolverse con soltura nos será de gran ayuda si tenemos que contactar con clientes, proveedores o compañeros extranjeros. Aquí cinco consejos para aprender inglés (casi) sin darte cuenta:

1. Usa recursos audiovisuales. Tratar de memorizar el inglés leyendo un libro, como en el colegio, no solo resulta una tortura sino que es muy poco efectivo. Activa más áreas de tu cerebro con infografías, vídeos y otros materiales audiovisuales para aprender inglés.

2. Integra el inglés como parte de tu ocio. Si disfrutas leyendo, viendo series o yendo al cine en tus ratos libres, puedes subir de nivel rápidamente cambiando estas actividades al inglés. Además, así tu mente aprenderá a asociar este idioma con el relax y la diversión y te será mucho más ameno de aprender. Si no te atreves a dar el salto de repente, puedes empezar con subtítulos (mejor que sean en inglés) y libros adaptados para English learners.

3. Usa aplicaciones y podcasts. Para aprender inglés en tus ratos muertos. En el transporte público, mientras esperas a alguien... Si tienes cinco minutos y un smartphone, puedes aprender inglés estés donde estés.

4. Atrévete a hablar en inglés. La manera más rápida y efectiva de aprender un idioma es obligarte a hablarlo. Si no tienes la suerte de tener amigos guiris, puedes buscar un intercambio de idiomas o incluso, si vives en una ciudad grande, investigar actividades en inglés. Hay muchísima oferta, desde clases de yoga hasta teatro infantil pasando por cursos de cocina.

5. Presta atención a las expresiones y frases hechas. Si quieres llevar tu inglés al siguiente nivel y sonar como todo un nativo, la traducción literal no es suficiente. Necesitas contar con expresiones o slangs para enfrentarte a las diferentes situaciones del día a día.

Source: Entrepreneur.com

How Does Technology Impact Your Daily Life?

Over the last two decades, our lives have been slowly taken over by technology. Take a moment to look around you. How many screens do you see? Did you include the one you’re reading this on?

Our Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets have changed the way we work, play, and even raise our children. Today’s offices would be unrecognizable to workers of the past thanks to the proliferation of emails, video conferencing, tablets, laptop computers, and other relatively recent innovations. Meanwhile, more and more of our personal time is influenced by our gadgets (OK, smartphones) with each passing day.

So have we reached peak-technology? Hardly.

The novelty of constant online connections and instant communication may have begun to wear thin for older generations, but the next wave of Americans have no such qualms. Their tech-dependent lifestyles are already causing huge changes in both the professional and private spheres. The change may be inevitable…unless the Wi-Fi cuts out, of course.

Our Digitized Professional Lives

As many as 79% of employees now “work on virtual teams,” be it by email, online collaboration, messaging, video conferences, or some combination of any of the above. A 2013 Pew Research study found “94% of jobholders are Internet users.” This includes full-time, part-time, and freelance workers in technology companies, big corporations, and small businesses, who work in cities, the suburbs, rural America, and everywhere in between.

For most of the last century, communicating professionally meant writing letters, sending faxes, or spending hours on the phone. Not anymore. Email is now the primary means of communication in the modern workplace. We are communicating more, faster, and better than ever before. And employers have been reaping the benefits. A major report cited by British newspaper The Telegraph found that the incorporation of technology into the workplace has led to an “84% increase in productivity per hour for office workers since the 1970s.” The major influencers? Email, business software, and yes, even cell phones.

Technology Gets Personal

We don’t leave technology at the workplace. In fact, our private lives might be even more tech-enabled than our professional lives. In the 1980s and 1990s, our televisions were often the height of our home technology. Some people had clunky personal computers, a Nintendo for the kids, and maybe even a telephone in their car (remember those?).

Information from the Census Bureau tells us that 15% of homes had a personal computer in 1989; by 2011 that number climbed to 75%. Now we have desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, Apple watches, GPS-enabled cars, and more coming every day. Forget unplugging after the 5 or-6 o’clock whistle blows—we plug in instead.

In fact, going without tech might trigger an existential crisis for some (that sound you hear is Albert Camus rolling over in his grave). Our technology helps us learn, date, eat, socialize, and so much more.

The only time we don’t use technology is when we are exercising flying sleeping, well, dead. For now…

A New Generation of Digital Natives

Anyone born before the advent of technology in their daily lives is considered a “digital immigrant.” Older generations invented our tech-enabled society, but the generations born in this millennium are the first true “digital natives.

” While the “digital rehab” programs older generations have begun using to push back against the all-consuming digital saturation are gaining traction, these programs may make as much sense to younger generations as getting up from the couch to change the channel on the TV. The genie is out of the bottle, and technology is said to have even changed the way younger generations perceive reality.

We’re assuming they perceive reality as that thing happening just beyond the horizon of their laptop, tablet, or smartphone screen (as long as someone is tweeting about it). Although it’s easy to make fun of the next generation’s digital obsession, it will soon be impossible to ignore it. The digital natives are on pace to outnumber the digital immigrants before long.

The Bottom Line

Technology is now so integrated with our lives that going without it can cause severe anxiety for some. It’s not hard to see why. Technology has taken over.

Both our professional and personal lives are now technology dependent. While older generations are fighting back with unplugged retreats, the next wave of Americans can’t picture their lives without tech. They might not have anything to worry about. The future favors these digital natives.

By Todd Gebski. Vice President, Marketing. Charged with informing the way existing customers and potential clients think about mobile workforce management—or maybe even understanding what it is—Todd oversees how the Motus brand is received in the marketplace. With more than 15 years experience in marketing and eCommerce, Todd has a firm understanding of the marketing mix needed for success. 

Source: Motus.com

Leading by Example.

How to bring positivity, optimism, and integrity to the workplace.

How does one effectively bring positivity, optimism, and integrity to the workplace? To help answer this question, I had the immense honor to interview Dr. Joyce Knudsen, an impression management consultant, influential marketer, and Twitter sensation. For many months now, I’ve been inspired by Dr. Joyce’s tweets about positivity and integrity. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with her about this important topic. Here are some highlights from our time together.

Positivity

“Positivity is a frame of mind,” Dr. Joyce says.  It’s truly a reflection of how you view the world around you. At home and at work, we should choose to have a positive mindset. When we look at the cup as half full instead of half empty, the way that we respond to colleagues, supervisors, and customers is positive, too.

Interestingly, positivity has a way of rubbing off on those around us. “A happy worker is a professional who brightens up the entire place simply by being there,” Dr. Joyce says.

As a leader, strive to create a culture of positivity. After all, “positive emotion lends itself to greater fulfillment at work,” Dr. Joyce shares. Further, “if people feel fulfilled when they are working, they’ll be better team players when you need them.”

Optimism

Optimism relates very closely to positivity. “We all have our issues,” says Dr. Joyce. While the issue itself may not be in our control, how we respond to it is. “We choose to be optimistic or pessimistic.” When dealing with a difficult person at work, for instance, be grateful when you make a breakthrough and hopeful that things will be even easier the next time.

We can be optimistic without falsely assuming that the world is only filled with roses. Those who are resilient and optimistic use every experience (the good, the bad, and the neutral) to help them to get to their end goal. When you’re stressed at work, simply “reclaim your mindset to reduce that stress,” Dr. Joyce advises.

Toss your Problems in a Basket-- Literally

When Dr. Joyce first meets with a group of clients, she walks around the office with a basket and index cards. She offers each employee a card and says, “Write down everything that’s bothering you right now.” She then collects the cards. “Now I have your problems,” she tells them. “I’ve taken them away from you. If you’re so inclined, when you leave, you can pick up your problems.  I would like you to reclaim your mindset, and you can’t do that if you’re worried about something.”

Tip: This simple basket exercise is an excellent activity to do in a group setting or as an individual. Write down what’s bothering you and put it to the side. If you need to revisit it later, then do so. But, at least give yourself the chance to focus on something else for a short while. Perhaps you’ll uncover a solution to a problem if you step away from it, too.

Integrity

“Bring integrity to the workplace,” encourages Dr. Joyce. “Integrity is one of the fundamental values that employers seek in the employees they hire. It’s the hallmark of a person who demonstrates sound moral and ethical principles at work.”

Managers who lead with integrity inspire others to do the same. “A person who has integrity lives his or her values in relationships with coworkers, customers, and stakeholders,” Dr. Joyce adds. Further, “people who demonstrate integrity draw others to them. They are counted on to act in honorable ways to do the right thing.” 

“Honesty and trust are essential to integrity,” says Dr. Joyce. As a leader, nurture a safe environment at work, so that employees do not avoid sharing the truth for fear of reprimand.

Celebrate as a Team

Celebrating successes is a great way to create and maintain a positive and optimistic office environment. Dr. Joyce shares that simple things like taking the team out to lunch can go a long way to build camaraderie and a happy workplace.

Let’s strive to ensure that our employees are happy and feel valued. Regularly “acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of others,” Dr. Joyce suggests. When we do this, we encourage continued positive behavior from that person and from the rest of the team.

I felt such synergy during our interview, and was truly inspired to continue to bring positivity and hope to those around me. Thank you, Dr. Joyce, for sharing your time and wisdom!

Want to learn more about Dr. Joyce? Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, GooglePlus, and Instagram. Learn more about her book here and visit www.drjoyceknudsen.com.

Want to learn more about handling difficult people in the workplace? Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. Read my book and visit www.amycooperhakim.com.

Source: Psychologytoday.com.

How do celebrity trainer David Kingsbury trains Hollywood action stars.

David Kingsbury is one of the world’s most sought after personal trainers who have demonstrated their skills in body transformation again and again. He not only works with renowned personalities from the film industry but helps transform the lives of thousands of people. Here, he has shared how do Hollywood action stars train and what characteristics you would need to train like a Hollywood star. 

Being a Trainer

The weight training expert believes that being a fitness expert is not about just letting celebrities have great abs. It is about being responsible for the physical condition and safety of a highly valued personality. The focus is not only on making sure that a celebrity looks great on screen. It’s also about ensuring that the physical capabilities of a client are enhanced and the client avoids getting injured.

Temporary Athletes

The trainer of over 50 A-list stars thinks that when he is training a star for an action role, he needs to turn them into an athlete on a temporary basis. The actor must look like that he has the capacity to do what his role demonstrates. For instance, while training Hugh Jackman, it was ensured that he could tear a person apart in his role as Wolverine in The Wolverine(2013). Another example he gives is of Michael Fassbender, as he has trained him for his role in the film version of Assassin’s Creed (2016). In this role, the actor had to look like a believable killer. The killer had to be agile, lithe and have a physicality that’s instantly palpable on screen. Making celebrities into temporary athletes is a part of his job now, reports Telegraph.co.uk.

Tough Job

The provider of world’s leading online training plans also states that the road to this result is riddled with loads of pitfalls. The actors often get seriously injured and some stunts are really scary with real danger. Hence, the process of training an actor is not as easy as it seems. Many times the stunt doubles take over highly dangerous scenes. But it does not mean that the actors are not doing whatever they can do by themselves.

The Key Pillars

Action movie scenes are particularly grueling because one has to do dynamic and dangerous movements over and over again. To prepare the stars for a role in an action film, the trainer based in Pinewood Film Studios sticks to some simple steps that are mentioned as follows :-

High Strength Levels

The trainer of Jennifer Lawrence always insists on building the strength levels of celebrities. It is done by following a two-fold approach. First, the outright strength of a celebrity is developed so that it ensures that the celebrity can perform all the required movements. Then strength endurance becomes a focal point as many times, the movements need to be repeated over and over again.

Better Flexibility

The wellness expert shares that the lack of flexibility can be a big problem when someone is performing stunt work. For example, if a person has to deliver an overhead kick during a fight sequence, then that person has to be flexible. Flexibility training is the answer here. It ensures that the tension developed during a workout is released and the stress in exercising these muscles is reduced. Flexibility training also improves the posture of a person that leads to maximized strength and minimal stress.

Time for Recovery

When a person is training hard, they need time for recovery from the grueling sessions, believes the trainer of Garrett Hedlund. Training alone is not enough to make a person stronger. A combo of training and recovery is what sets things right.

Remembering Previous Injuries

When training a celebrity, the fitness guru always has to keep the previous injuries or body issues of the clients in mind. His previous clients have dealt with everything from broken vertebrae to torn ligaments. Stunts always have a serious amount of risk involved, so a person needs to work around his or her body’s limits. As a trainer, David does that by reading the body of a client. He also studies its functioning and movements and then modifies the training to suit those movements and functioning.

Training and Performance

The trainer of Rooney Mara also has to make sure that the training sessions have little or no impact on the on-screen performance of the actors. Performance matters more for the celebrities than their training, so the focus rarely shifts from that.

How to be a Stunt Performer?

If you wish to be a stunt performer or you are aiming for a body that has the capabilities of fighting like an action hero / heroine, then you must nail all the rules mentioned above. Apart from following them, the trainer of Jessica Chastain wants you to know your body. You must be ready to sprint, run, fight, explode and act at the same time. This is not an easy feat and only a few talented people can manage it.

If you liked the ideas shared by Kingsbury, you can read more such ideas on his official website. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Source: Healthyceleb.com

Role of Communication in Increasing Work Efficiency.

Communication plays an essential role in increasing efficiency of employees. Employees need to interact with each other more often to break the ice and feel comfortable at the workplace. Problems arise when information does not flow in its desired form. Effective communication facilitates free flow of information among employees and reduces misunderstandings and confusions. Effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Managers need to give correct download to their employees for them to deliver their level best. Employees need to understand what their superiors expect out of them. Employees should have the liberty to express their views and opinions, brainstorm ideas on a common platform to come up with unique solutions which eventually lead to an increased efficiency. Effective communication plays an essential role in motivating employees. Managers need to interact with their team members on a regular basis for them to develop a sense of loyalty towards the organization. Make your team members feel important. Sit with them, give them correct feedbacks, guide them and help them deal with changes with a smile. Employees perform better when their grievances are addressed by their reporting managers.

Duplication of work decreases efficiency of employees. Team members need to communicate among themselves to find out what each one is up to? If you are working on a particular assignment, make sure your colleague is working on something else. Managers ought to interact with their subordinates to understand their expertise and interest levels. Delegation of work is one of the most crucial responsibilities of a team manager. Make sure work does not become a burden for your team members; else they would not stick around for a long time.

Remember, employees are human beings who need people around to talk to, share their happiness and discuss their problems as well. Gone are the days when superiors used to treat their team members as mere slaves. Do not stop your employees to speak to individuals representing other departments. There is no harm if one has friends at the workplace. After all, one spends the maximum part of his/her day at the office itself. Individuals might not open up in front of their bosses but would definitely come up with their problems in front of their fellow workers. Let them gain from each other’s expertise and knowledge. Effective communication also reduces the stress levels and thus motivates employees to deliver their level best. Let them come up with their problems for you to help them find solutions. As a manager, you need to know where all they are lacking and your guidance and assistance would help them perform better. Interaction is essential. Believe me, half of the problems evaporate when employees sit with each other and discuss issues on an open forum.

Employees should have the liberty to enter their boss’s cabin in case of queries. Only communicating through emails and messages is not enough to motivate an employee. Verbal communication is of utmost importance. Do not make your employees unnecessarily wait for your approvals. Call them, speak to them and immediately give them the go-ahead. Employees feel motivated this way and eventually yield better results and quality output. Simple words like “Wow”, “Good Job Done”, “You can do it” go a long way in motivating the employees and increase their efficiency. 

Source: Managementstudyguide.com

¿Cómo aprenden los niños?

¿Cuándo aprenden los niños? ¿son tan importantes los tres primeros años de vida para su desarrollo cognitivo? ¿están las políticas de educación preescolar chilenas basadas en evidencia científica? Hablamos con Marcela Peña, coordinadora del Simposio Internacional Educación Temprana y Desarrollo Cerebral, que convocó en Chile a connotados especialistas en ciencias cognitivas y neurociencias aplicadas.

En la presentación del encuentro, Marcela Peña, investigadora y docente de la escuela de psicología de la Universidad Católica, llamaba a replantear la política educativa respecto a la educación temprana, evitando la inversión en programas de mejoramiento de la educación no basados en evidencia científica, hecho que en Chile habría derivado de acuerdo a sus palabras, en “resultados heterogéneos que no han impactado significativamente las metas globales de mejorar los aprendizajes en la mayoría de los niños”.

Conversamos con ella sobre los alcances del encuentro, debido a la relevancia de los temas tratados y su relación con las políticas educativas implementadas en los últimos años por nuestro país.

Una de las exposiciones de la primera jornada del simposio puso en entredicho la importancia que desde los 90s se le da a la llamada “ventana” de los primeros tres años de vida para el aprendizaje, bajo la afirmación de que en dicho período el niño es más apto para aprender. ¿Puede leerse de esta ponencia y de su llamado de atención sobre la falta de evidencia científica en algunos programas educativos chilenos, que la educación preescolar está en tela de juicio?

La educación preescolar está justificada plenamente, pero más bien por razones sociales que científicas. En Chile las mujeres tienen que trabajar y necesitan de un lugar protegido donde dejar al niño, donde éste pueda jugar con otros niños. Los estudios de Harvard dicen, en teoría, que la educación preescolar incide en la disminución de la violencia escolar pero no está totalmente probado.

Debemos preocuparnos de cómo criamos a nuestros niños, sin embargo ¿por qué hay que preocuparse por ellos sólo cuando son muy pequeños?. La opinión general dice que la etapa preescolar es un momento crucial que si no se aprovecha, poco menos que se pierden todas las oportunidades de un desarrollo óptimo. Esto está en discusión, hay que darles la mejor manera de compartir socialmente con otros pequeños, pero no porque la edad preescolar sea un momento óptimo para su aprendizaje sino simplemente porque están en su derecho.

No hay que limitar las posibilidades de desarrollo de esa edad, tal como no hay que limitar las posibilidades de desarrollo de un niño más grande. Si un país necesita la educación preescolar, debe ponerla en práctica porque es un problema social. Pero es falso que en ese momento las neuronas tengan un desarrollo determinado y especial.

Sin embargo otra de las ponencias recomienda el énfasis en la educación preescolar, mencionando entre otros, un estudio de la Universidad de Chicago que sostiene que por cada dólar gastado en educación temprana de calidad se están ahorrando entre 7 y 17 dólares.

El ahorro está calculado sobre diversas dimensiones; si un niño llega a la escuela sabiendo los números y las letras, le va a ir mucho mejor que un niño que no; eso no está en discusión. Claro, los niños llegan más entrenados para la vida escolar si tienen un background, y si saben ciertas cosas les va a costar menos incorporar otras que vienen. De alguna manera un niño que tiene más logros a esa edad y que le han sido bien enseñados es más feliz.

Pero la investigación científica no ha precisado que a esa edad haya cambio el nivel neurológico o de redes neuronales ni nada parecido. Los sistemas de educación preescolar impactan al niño porque lo entrenan. Tuve una conversación parecida con uno de mis estudiantes, que me dijo que los seres humanos estábamos evolucionando para ser más inteligentes, porque los niños ahora saben más que antes. Si eso es así es porque están entrenados pero no porque estemos evolucionando hacia una inteligencia superior a la que tenemos; lo más probable es que la inteligencia sea la misma que tenemos desde el último cambio cromosómico que hizo a la especie humana.

Nosotros entrenamos a los pequeños para ir a la escuela, para que lean, para crear y definir conceptos, todo eso origina cambios en el sistema nervioso pero si hay un gen nuevo, que provoque una mutación que nos haga evolucionar, eso no se sabe por el momento.

Volviendo a su afirmación sobre los resultados heterogéneos de algunas programas de mejoramiento de la educación ¿qué otras decisiones se han tomado en forma apresurada a su juicio, en materia de políticas públicas?

La jornada escolar completa, por ejemplo, que se implementó sin que hubiera ningún estudio previo, me imagino que por razones culturales, presumiendo que los niños estarían mejor en la escuela que en la calle. Estoy de acuerdo con eso, pero si no sabes qué vas a hacer con esos niños en la escuela, esto es, si no hay una investigación antes, entonces es un riesgo, realmente es una apuesta al azar, puede que ocurra como en Estados Unidos donde aparecen las mafias en las escuelas y que los niños van a la escuela a cualquier cosa menos a estudiar. Esto es un riesgo que no debería existir, la gente que hace política debería tener la responsabilidad de por último saber que no existe la investigación científica en ninguna parte del mundo y de iniciarla, de pilotear, de comenzar por dos años en determinadas escuelas y ver cómo funciona. Hubo críticas a la JEC y se están corrigiendo los errores pero a un precio elevado. ¿Por qué no se hizo antes?

Espero que haya estrategias educativas diseñadas para los niños que se van a incorporar a la educación preescolar, que exista un objetivo claro sobre lo que se va a enseñar y todo no se limite a tenerlos allí mientras la mamá no está. Entrenémoslos, ayudémoslos a aprender, enseñémosles a usar su propia mente, ellos no son objetos pasivos. Pero realmente no creo que esté claro lo que van a hacer las señoritas parvularias en los jardines, o qué cosa irán a medir antes o después, si habrá programas piloto para evaluar.

¿Cómo percibes a Chile en relación a las tendencias expuestas en el simposio?

El mismo día que terminó el simposio apareció un artículo en el New York Times que contaba de una reunión de especialistas en la Casa Blanca para discutir cómo enseñar a leer a los niños. Por eso está muy bien que Chile tenga las mismas preocupaciones que el mundo. La mejor manera de investigar el aprendizaje debería ser tratar de saber qué es lo que ocurre en el cerebro de un niño cuando está aprendiendo, y qué es lo que le va a impactar más, y para eso se necesita investigación.

Desde ese punto de vista, algunos de los invitados empezaron a colaborar con diversas instituciones en Chile, no es algo inmediato pero varios de ellos van a volver a Chile, otros invitaron a alumnos chilenos como becarios a las instituciones donde trabajan, y se redactó la Declaración de Santiago donde se relatan las conclusiones del encuentro y que va a aparecer en algunas publicaciones científicas. Es una declaración de principios, un acuerdo.

La investigación, una tendencia La investigadora resalta que en el mundo se hacen muchos esfuerzos para darle una base científica a las políticas educacionales, lo que más que realizar experimentos, significa demostrar los presupuestos teóricos usando datos empíricos o simplemente la observación cuidadosa. Peña continúa diciendo que no existen panaceas hoy día, y lo que es útil para un país no necesariamente lo será para otro: “no podemos decir que en Finlandia se haya encontrado una solución universal, por ejemplo” dice para corroborarlo, y sigue: “avanzar en educación para nuestro país conlleva a realizar toda una reestructuración del sistema y la mentalidad del chileno. En Francia por ejemplo, los papás participan más en la educación, de una manera tan amplia que los miércoles los pasan en la casa y tienen la oportunidad de hacer las tareas con sus hijos”. A nivel global se están haciendo muchos esfuerzos para mejorar el contenido y la forma en que se educa: “hay ciudades que decidieron poner el esfuerzo en la digitalización de la enseñanza, hay colegios que abogan por el retorno a los valores de apego a la naturaleza y hacen clases poco menos que en el bosque”. Todo eso tendrá que culminar en ciertas recomendaciones que deberían respetar la realidad de cada país. ¿Y en el caso de Chile? Acá hay un poco la costumbre de culpar a las instituciones y hacerlas cargar con la responsabilidad, y se quita confianza a lo que puedan hacer los padres. Yo soy optimista y el hecho de que chile haga algo como este simposio es un gran paso, que el gobierno y los encargados tomen iniciativas es excelente, eso es lo que al final va a resolver de a poco la complejidad del problema.

Fuente: Educarchile.cl