Let Us Maxximize Your Business Today

News Flash

//  by 

I’ve got a news flash for you.  Not everyone processes information the same way that you do.  Mind blowing, I know!!

Ok I can hear you know, way to state the obvious.  This is so NOT a news flash.  Well, if it isn’t then why do people try to force others to try and understand things in the same way, shape or form that they do.  Then when it is not successful, they get frustrated, angry, or even mean.  News Flash

I have heard a phrase when you are speaking with someone who’s natural language is not your own, you must listen for the forest not the trees.  Pretty easy to understand in that context that if someone is learning English for example you must listen for the big picture or pieces of information to really understand what they want to say.  Easy to see because they might not use the correct words for everything or the tense might be off, but if you listen to the whole theme you will pick up on meaning more often.

That’s easy so why don’t we use that same practice when working with someone who let’s face it is not like you.  You process information differently and be honest you often come to misunderstandings because of that.  Instead of getting angry or firing back maybe take a step back and reread that message for the forest not the trees.  If you do that you might see where the trouble is but also the pieces of what they are really trying to say.  When you see those pieces, you can then flip your “script” so to speak and adjust your approach to be able to connect.  News flash in the end it not only will be easier to get the work done it will probably be better.

So, get out there and make sure you are looking at the full picture to understand and if you don’t take a step back to see what someone really might mean.  Shine Bright and Much Love!

~JMAXX

Everyone’s Got One

//  by 

It’s true, everyone’s got one.  What do they have, an opinion and you know what they are allowed to have one.  You know what’s also allowed, you don’t have to take their opinion to heart or even pay attention to it.  Everyone’s Got One

We all know the people that feel the need to share their opinion on anything with everyone.  It can be a little overwhelming and probably a little frustrating.  Very annoying for those who share all their opinions with you that are 99% negative in nature.  It takes everything in you to not scream “Enough!”.

What do you do?  Chances are you aren’t going to change them, so you are probably going to have to change your outlook or actions.  I mean sure you can kindly ask them to ease up but that might work only for that day or maybe two.  What do you do after that?

Well one thing to think about is why they feel the need to share their opinion about everything.  Are they in a lot of situations where they don’t feel heard?  If all those opinions are primarily negative is there something rough going on in their life.  That negativity could be them releasing some tension, anger, or fear?

No, you probably aren’t going to change them nor are you going to be able to fix things 100% if they are in a bad spot but maybe you can be that bright spot.  You can lend them your ear and attention for an hour, so they truly feel heard.  If they are going on about the costs of something maybe surprise them with a cup of coffee or a treat.  Seems simple but might make their day and help them feel relevant.  Show them how you shine bright in the world, and it might increase their wattage a bit.  Much Love!

~JMAXX

Listening or Hearing

//  by 

We have all heard the terms and the difference.  Heck we’ve all probably been asked are you listening or are you hearing me.  It’s possible you’ve been accused of hearing instead of listening.  So, what does it all mean?  Listening or Hearing

The basics are simple.  Listening is “to give one’s attention to a sound.”  Hearing is “the faculty of perceiving sounds.”  Easy enough but what does that mean for life or specifically for your life and those in it.

In that case hearing isn’t always a positive thing.  Why?  Because you may perceive that someone is speaking but you aren’t really giving them your attention or at least they don’t think you are.  That can hurt for a lot of people if they feel like they don’t have your attention because what they could be telling you is very important to them.

There is a third category that comes up often that I think can cause the most trouble.  If you are listening to respond.  What’s that you ask?  Often it comes up in groups or with “hot topics”.  You are listening to what they are saying but not to absorb it or learn from it. You have already decided the answer or that you don’t think what they are saying is not valid.  There for you are listening for the point they stop, and you can jump in to respond.  Dangerous concept because not only can it lead to misunderstandings or loosing key pieces of information you are also losing out on potential opportunities to learn or grow.

So, listening or hearing what should you do.  In most cases always listen because you never know what someone might be opening up about and how important it is to them.  Give them your full attention and you never know what wonderful things might come up.  If you do that you and the world will shine bright.  Much Love!

~JMAXX

What Can You Say?

//  by 

Let us be honest because sometimes you just do not know what to say.  I am not talking about in a tough, stressful, or awkward situation because we all know what that is like, but in every day run of the mill conversationWhat Can You Say?s.  When you are with someone maybe you just met or do not know too well, and you are struggling on what to say next.  Rough right, mind is going a mile a minute, but it all sounds so cheesy to say out loud, do not worry everyone has been there.

I think this is where really listening comes into play.  When I say listening, I mean actual listening not just hearing.  When you are in a situation with people you do not really know I think you have to take this to the next level because if you do not then you have those awkward moments of “Uhhhh…”.  People tend to hint to or drop clues to things when they are talking.  It could be to something totally unrelated to the current topic or an angle of it that would be great to ask more about because it obviously means something to that person.  You will not however pick up on this if you are just hearing for your chance to speak while your brain is running through all the options for you to respond with.

Try for a moment to slow that brain down and pick up on those clues and dig a bit deeper into what the person or group is really saying.  If you do that you might learn some really cool things in general or maybe about the people that you are talking to that could lead to bigger or greater interactions with them.  People appreciate when they are really heard and when people ask questions to learn about the people or things they really care about.  So, play a game of conversation detective and ask honest and insightful questions to not only make the people you are interacting with feel good but to open yourself up to learn and grow.  Shine Bright and Much Love!

-JMAXX