Face Your F.E.A.R.

Often, what hinders us from communicating effectively is FEAR: fear of being rejected by the listener, fear of committing a mistake that might put us on the spot, fear of losing one's ideas in the middle of a conversation. These are true-to-life samples of fears that we encounter while communicating in either formal or informal communication scenarios.

Want to get rid of fear? Let me show you how.

We just simply have to think of what FEAR means. F.E.A.R. stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. And do you know that studies have shown that of the 10 things you fear, 8 of them will NOT happen? Yes, 8 will not happen. Now, of the remaining two, one of them will definitely happen because it is beyond your control while the remaining one may happen because this one is within your control. So, simply plan for it, and more likely, you end up managing it.

This being the case, why waste energy on fear? Why bother to even think of your fears and let them get in the way of your effectiveness as a communicator when they may not even happen.

So, the next time you feel that you're losing heart and being eaten up by fears when talking with someone, just simply face your fear --- focus, take courage and be positive --- and for sure you'll end up communicating successfully.

Think Assertively... Communicate Assertively

Want to know the secret of every powerful communicator? It's assertive communication!

The powerful communicator is one who adopts the assertive mindset. Being assertive dictates that we should see ourselves equal with that person we are communicating with regardless of culture, rank, or even age. It is freely expressing your needs and wants in a manner that would show the other person that you value his or her rights as well. The assertive mindset, expressed simply, is I=You.

Assertiveness is different from aggressiveness because being aggressive means disrespecting the other person in order to express his wants or needs, so that these get to be fulfilled. Aggressive thinking says I>You.

Assertiveness is not also submissiveness because being submissive is depriving yourself the right to say what you want to say because you see yourself, your opinions and feelings, insignificant compared with the the other person. This translates to I< You.

So, everytime you engage yourself in communication, it is advised that you always think assertively. See yourself as important as the person you are communicating with; your ideas as relevant; and your feelings as worth noting. This is the secret of powerful and successful communicators.