Tips to Improve Your Self Esteem

Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind. It doesn't matter if you actively pursue this goal or you subconsciously working on improving your self esteem. The problem with this is that you really don't know exactly what you want to improve. You're acting intuitively on external signals.

Do you know how to improve your self esteem? Probably not. To make it a little bit easier for you and to achieve your goals quicker I put together 10 tips that you can utilize right away.

1. Build up your self-esteem. You must take an inventory. What do you want to improve or change about the way you interact with others? Try to make only one change at a time. Always check you progress before making another change.

2. Celebrate your journey, not your destination. Learn to always feel good about where you are now, and to exude self-confidence about anywhere you might find yourself tomorrow.

3. Set clear goals for yourself before every interaction. Know what you want. Think about how the people you will be meeting can help you reach those goals. Then decide how to approach each person accordingly. Apply this regularly and you will notice a difference.

4. Be proactive. Take the initiative. Be decisive. Let the other person know exactly how he or she can help you. Proactive people tent to be more successful in their career.

5. Treat each person you meet as if she or he is truly important. (You'll be amazed how this works.)

6. Give a firm handshake; look the other person straight in the eye. Practice both of these. Your handshake should be just right. Not too firm and not too loose. Train yourself to notice something you like or find attractive in the person.

7. Listen! Listen! Listen! Teach yourself to develop good listening skills. Learn a way to remember the other person's name. If in doubt simply ask for the name again 2 or 3 sentences into the conversation.

8. Visibly respond to the other person. Smile, nod agreement, and address him or her by name. Apply all you listening skills to visibly respond. The body language is the most important part of a conversation. Practice, practice, practice...

9. Pay more attention to the other person than to yourself. Are you responding to what may be going on in his or her life? Don't filter out bad news. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Be caring.

10. Stay "in the moment." Don't mentally cut off the other person. Don't reload while he or she is speaking. What this means is that you need to focus on the other person 100% during a conversation. Anything less is considered rude.

Next time you meet somebody new look out for these behaviors. Put a mental checkmark on the each of the 10 tips and see how well this person scored. Chances are that the person scored very high if you tent to like her/him. On the contraire the person probably scored low if you don't seem to connect.

The more you practice the more likely you will create a positive aura which is commonly known as charisma. To step up to become a charismatic personality it takes more than just these 10 tips.

Creating a positive aura will benefit you in every thing you do. You will create a warmer ambience with your family. You will be more successful in your career. Even while trying to meet a partner of the opposite sex you will notice a difference on how people perceive you. Read More...

Percaya Diri Bukannya Sombong

Dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, kita banyak menemukan orang yang sangat percaya diri serta orang-orang sombong. Orang yang percaya diri biasanya mudah bergaul dengan orang lain. Sedangkan orang sombong biasanya malas didekati oleh siapapun. Pasalnya banyak orang yang bingung sebenarnya posisinya ada dimana. Sombongkah atau percaya dirikah Anda?

Berikut perbedaan antara orang sombong dan orang percaya diri:

• Orang sombong menganggap dirinya lebih tinggi dari orang lain. Sedangkan orang percaya diri percaya bahwa dirinya memiliki keunikan dan talenta sebagaimana yang dianugerahkan berbeda kepada setiap orang.
• Orang sombong seolah selalu tahu apa yang paling baik untuk orang lain. Sedangkan orang yang percaya diri selalu terbuka tentang pendapatnya terhadap orang lain.
• Orang sombong biasanya tajam terhadap orang yang ia lihat sebagai saingan. Orang percaya diri sudah lahir dengan kemampuan untuk bersaing.
• Orang sombong sulit dan bahkan tidak pernah mengakui kesalahan mereka. Orang percaya diri tidak takut untuk mengaku bahwa ia melakukan kesalahan.
• Orang sombong biasanya suka jika orang lain melakukan kesalahan Sedang mereka yang percaya diri suka membantu orang menghadapi kesalahan yang mereka buat.
• Orang sombong biasanya sangat peduli dengan pendapat orang lain terhadap dirinya. Sedangkan orang percaya diri tidak terlalu peduli dengan pendapat orang lain terhadap dirinya.
• Orang sombong biasanya suka membanggakan dirinya, sedangkan mereka yang percaya diri cenderung diam.

Lalu bagaimana cara menjadi percaya diri tanpa berubah menjadi sombong?

Peduli akan penampilan
Perbaiki penampilan Anda tanpa maksud bahwa orang lain akan kemudian memuji Anda karena itu. Lakukan itu karena Anda tahu bahwa Anda harus mengeluarkan sisi terbaik dari diri Anda.

Berikan senyuman tulus
Berusahalah untuk senyum kepada semua orang sebagai ungkapan hati Anda yang paling dalam, bukan senyum karena orang bisa terpesona terhadap senyuman Anda. Senyuman tulus adalah lambang percaya diri dan kode kepada orang lain bahwa Anda adalah orang baik yang bisa menjadi teman yang baik pula.

Perhatikan orang lain
Mulai sekarang, berikan waktu Anda untuk menanyakan kepada teman atau orang sekitar Anda apa kabar mereka dan libatkan diri pada mereka, serta lakukan itu dengan tulus pula. Tunjukkan bahwa Anda melihat mereka sebagai orang-orang yang Anda hargai, siapapun dan apapun posisi mereka.

Jangan ketinggalan jaman
Untuk jadi orang yang percaya diri, Anda perlu terus menginformasikan kepada diri Anda tentang apa yang terjadi di sekitar Anda. Caranya, ikuti berita di koran dan televisi. Ini membantu Anda percaya diri jika terlibat percakapan dengan siapa saja. Asal jangan jadi sok tahu!

Luaskan pergaulan
Jangan puas berada di lingkungan kecil milik Anda sekarang. Sebisa mungkin luaskan pergaulan. Jangan pilih-pilih teman dari segala kalangan. Melihat dunia dari segala perspektif bisa membantu Anda untuk menjadi percaya diri tanpa menjadi sombong. Karena Anda tahu bahwa di atas langit masih ada langit dan Andapun tahu bahwa di dunia ini masih banyak orang yang hidup dalam kesulitan.

Mensyukuri keberadaan Anda
Ini adalah kunci penting untuk menjadi orang yang percaya diri. Banyak orang yang tidak percaya diri karena melihat kelemahan dirinya. Dan banyak orang yang menjadi sombong karena merasa apa yang mereka punya lebih dari orang lain. Padahal inti bersyukur ialah menyadari bahwa semua itu berasal dari Tuhan semata. Tuhanpun bisa mengambilnya kapan saja Ia mau. Karena itu tidak ada yang perlu disombongkan tapi tidak ada pula yang tidak disyukuri.Dengan keunikan Anda, Anda bisa menjadi diri sendiri dan bisa berusaha memberi yang terbaik.

Ubah pola pikir Anda
Dengan semua pengetahuan itu, mulai ubah cara pAndang Anda terhadap dunia. Jika pola pikir Anda sudah terbentuk, itu akan tercermin kepada gerak-gerik Anda, kata-kata Anda, dan perilaku Anda. Read More...

Konsentrasi Untuk Lebih Fokus

Akan saya analogikan dengan cara berpikir Anda. Kalau Anda melihat para atlet olahraga seperti atlet menembak (seperti saya...), memanah, catur, dan atlet-atlet lainnya yang menduduki tangga juara pada setiap perlombaan, mereka semua memiliki konsentrasi yang tinggi. Darimana mereka bisa meraih hasil maksimal sehingga menjadikan dirinya sebagai juara?

Latihan, latihan, dan terus berlatih. Sama halnya dengan kecakapan, kecerdasan, atau keterampilan, semuanya tidak jatuh dari langit. Anda tidak bisa menunggu hingga konsentrasi Anda datang seketika kecuali Anda mengusahakan. Bagaimana cara mengusahakannya? Caranya adalah dengan melatih kemampuan Anda. Mengasah kemampuan yang Anda miliki. Seperti seorang pandai emas, Anda harus selalu mengasah karatnya agar tampak kilau emasnya.

Seorang Valentino Rossi adalah manusia yang sama dengan Anda. Memiliki otak, mata, telinga, tidur, makan, tetapi yang membedakan seorang Valentino Rossi dengan Anda adalah kepekaaannya terhadap kefokusan.

Jika Anda seorang atlet dan mengikuti kejuaraan pilihannya hanya ada dua: apakah Anda akan memburu hadiah atau menjadi pemenang dalam kejuaraan tersebut? Kalau Anda hanya berpikir hadiah yang akan Anda raih, percayalah bahwa setiap anak panah yang Anda lesatkan tidak akan pernah mencapai target yang diinginkan. Sebab pandangan Anda hanya akan terganggu oleh hadiah yang ada di dalam pikiran Anda. Anda tidak melihat target yang seharusnya menjadi fokus perhatian Anda. Penglihatan Anda terganggu oleh hadiah yang ada di dalam pikiran Anda. Berbeda kalau Anda tidak pernah berpikir soal hadiah, tetapi Anda memfokuskan pada pencapaian maksimal yang Anda raih. Itulah rahasia yang pernah dikatakan oleh seorang Valentino Rossi mengapa dia mampu menjadi juara dunia, adalah karena dia tidak pernah berpikir soal hadiah. Dia hanya membalap dan memfokuskan agar kendaraan yang dinaikinya melaju secepat mungkin.

Bagaimana dengan Anda? Jika Anda panik sebaiknya tenangkan emosi Anda, sebab kepanikan hanya akan mengganggu konsentrasi Anda untuk berpikir fokus. Berilah waktu beberapa menit dan tariklah nafas sedalam-dalamnya lalu hembuskan perlahan-lahan. Hal ini akan mengendurkan dan membuat syaraf tubuh melakukan relaksasi agar menjadi lebih rileks dan santai..

Bagaimana melatihnya? Kalau Anda memiliki hobi olahraga atau hobi seperti merangkai mainan lego yang bisa dibentuk bangunan apa saja seturut keinginan, latihlah konsentrasi Anda dengan hobi Anda tersebut. Latihan ini bukan hanya melatih konsentrasi agar tetap fokus tetapi juga melatih kewaspadaan Anda dalam situasi tertentu, sekaligus juga melatih daya pikir Anda dalam membuat resolusi konflik yang disebut manajemen konflik.

Read More...

Target Shooting Tips for Hitting Bullseye

The sport of target shooting has a checkered reputation in this country due to the violence weapons represent in many peoples minds. This article will present this sport in a positive light and offer several tips to help people master the sport.

Each weapon has its own special qualities to be mastered and these quirks will not be addressed in this article. I will focus on the common problems that prevent most shooters from becoming expert shots and give training tips to help them improve their performance.

The path to becoming an expert shot doesn't begin at the firing range. Accurate shooting requires calm, discipline, and a degree of physical fitness. Two major factors affecting accuracy are the heart rate and breathing. Improvement in scoring and becoming an expert shot begins with a physical training program.

In order to slow the heart rate, the efficiency of the heart must increase. The best way to increase the efficiency of the heart and decrease its number of beats per minute is by beginning a program of cardio-vascular training. Road running and jumping rope are two of the best and most effective exercises to increase the pumping capacity of the heart. Choose a form of exercise you enjoy that really makes you breath hard and do it daily. After several months of consistent exercise, heart rate will decrease by several beats per minute and lung capacity will increase dramatically. The shooter will notice significantly less "bump" when holding a weapon on a distant target. The increased lung capacity will allow the shooter the ability to hold a weapon on target longer without feeling the stress of needing to take a breath.

The best example of the importance of cardio-vascular fitness on shooting ability is the Olympic sport biathlon. In this event athletes race on cross-country skis while carrying target rifles. At designated points along the route the athletes must stop skiing and shoot at targets. To win the contest the athlete must race faster than everyone else AND out shoot them. The dichotomy of the two activities - one requiring extreme calm and the other requiring maximum physical effort - are a real test of cardio-vascular fitness. If these people were gasping for breath or their hearts were beating out of their chests they would never be able to hit their targets.

One tip to help achieve expert status at the sport is therefore a high degree of cardio-vascular fitness. Another tip to help people to improve shooting requires less effort - at least physically - and that is to avoid caffeine. Steady nerves are the third factor involved with success at target shooting. These days caffeine is in foods as well as soft drinks, coffee, and tea and a determined target shooter will make every effort to remove it from their diet.

The sport of target shooting involves much more than the choice of weapon used. These three factors - heart rate, breathing, and calm nerves are of paramount importance in all shooting sports regardless of whether the shooter uses a rifle, pistol, or bow. If a shooter wants better scores or to become an expert shot then physical fitness and caffeine avoidance are the keys that will make it happen. Read More...

Smile Is The Art Of Happiness

Mastering the 'Art of Happiness' is the key to living a beautiful and successful life. Yes not money, not power, but happiness. This is that elusive object which we are all running after, all yearning for. Happiness is very difficult to define and put into a few words, but it is essentially that state of mind where we are completely satisfied with us, and our lives, and we are at peace with ourselves.

As simple as this may sound, the art of happiness is the most difficult state to achieve. Sages and philosophers have been trying to find the perfect solution to achieve this art of happiness for millions of years. However the only way to master the art of happiness is to be happy with oneself. If I am happy with myself, my work, the people around me, then I am happy, and the simplest way to master this unique art of happiness is to 'smile'. Yes, smile! If you can smile through all the adversities and problems in your life, then you have perfected the art of happiness. This state can be achieved only when you have a positive attitude.

The art of happiness cannot be achieved if you are pessimistic, and have a negative attitude. It is only when you can smile even in the face of adversity or when the chips are down, even when things are not exactly going our way, that you can be happy. The most important lesson that has to be learnt from this is to have confidence in yourself, and give yourself respect.

The art of happiness is when you are satisfied with yourself, when you can smile even if you do not have a best of cars, flashy bungalows or more money than your neighbour. A crucial aspect of the art of happiness is also related to making people around you happy. Helping others, and making them happy with your deeds is perhaps the most fulfilling way to master the art of happiness. Even simple everyday things, like greeting people with a smile, helping elders, treating everyone equally creates a positive impact on people. The greatest joy you can have is to see the happiness on the face of others, especially your loved ones as a result of your actions. Then, you would have truly mastered the art of happiness. Therefore, always have a positive attitude, do not let greed and selfishness rule your heart, and you will then have perfected this mysterious art of happiness.

It is strange but very true. Studies have proved that just pretending to be cheerful, speaking in a happy tone, wearing a great smile and walking confidently can actually trigger joy.

This is the simplest way of proving that smile is the art of happiness. Read More...

Positive Thinking - Attitude - Sayings (Part III)

PART - III

When the sun rises, it rises for everyone.
Cuban Proverb

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.
Ralph Marston

The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.
George Santayana

So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains,And we never even know we have the key.
The Eagles

Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults.
Author Unknown

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.
Albert Einstein

I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, and then I thought: What the hell good would that do?
Ronnie Shakes

Goals are simply tools to focus your energy in positive directions, these can be changed as your priorities change, new one added, and others dropped.
Author Unknown

It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.
Robert H. Schuller

When you put faith, hope and love together, you can raise positive kids in a negative world.
Zig Ziglar

The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
Author Unknown

I wish I was a glow worm,
A glow worm's never glum.
'Cos how can you be grumpy
When the sun shines out your bum!
Author Unknown

I think, what has this day brought me, and what have I given it?
Henry Moore

People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong... Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
Thich Nhat Hanh

To begin to think with purpose is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment.
James Allen

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
Author Unknown

People are zealous for a cause when they are not quite positive that it is true.
Bertrand Russell

That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.
George Foreman

The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.
Hamilton Wright Mabie

Go with the best you've got.
Al Lopez

There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes.
William J. Bennett

With vision there is no room to be frightened., No reason for intimidation. It's time to march forward! Let's be confident and positive!
Charles R. Swindoll

It doesn't matter if the water is cold or warm if you're going to have to wade through it anyway.
Teilhard de Chardin

Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools.
Napoleon

When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic.
Charles R. Swindoll

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
Maori Proverb

Just because you're miserable doesn't mean you can't enjoy your life.
Annette Goodheart

Positive thinking is the key to success in business, education, pro football, anything that you can mention. I go out there thinking that I'm going to complete every pass.
Ron Jaworski

We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them.
Elbert Hubbard

Read More...

Positive Thinking - Attitude - Sayings (Part II)

PART - II

Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
Elbert Hubbard

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Harriet Beecher Stowe

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.
Zig Ziglar

It is important that you recognize your progress and take pride in your accomplishments. Share your achievements with others. Brag a little. The recognition and support of those around you is nurturing.
Rosemarie Rossetti

If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.
Malcolm X

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.
Oscar Wilde

Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think is right and stick to it.
T.S. Eliot

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
Henri Matisse

Don't take 'no' for an answer, never submit to failure. Do not be fobbed off with mere personal success or acceptance. You will make all kinds of mistakes, but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or events.
Winston Churchill

If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.
Swami Vivekananda

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want.
Oscar Wilde

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy.
Henry Ward Beecher

Got no checkbooks, got no banks,Still I'd like to express my thanks -I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
Irving Berlin

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.
"So it is," said Christopher Robin.
"And freezing."
"Is it?"
"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."
A.A. Milne

Remember even though the outside world might be raining, if you keep on smiling the sun will soon show its face and smile back at you.
Anna Lee

Don't worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
Bob Marley

Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.
Brian Tracy

In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.
Lee Iacocca

You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.
Ralph Marston

Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
The Bible, John 16:24

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.
W. Clement Stone

I'm not sure what the future holds but I do know that I'm going to be positive and not wake up feeling desperate. As my dad said Nic, it is what it is, it's not what it should have been, not what it could have been, it is what it is.
Nicole Kidman

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
Francesca Reigler

It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.
Annie Gottlier

One of the redeeming things about being an athlete is redefining what is humanly possible.
Lance Armstrong

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.
Nicholas Murray Butler

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.
Swedish Proverb

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
Mary Engelbreit

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.
Chinese Proverb

Nothing is interesting if you're not interested.
Helen MacInness

Read More...

Positive Thinking - Attitude - Sayings (Part I)

PART - I

The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill

You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Albert Einstein

Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.
Oprah Winfrey

A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.
Mahatma Gandhi

I am an optimist. It does not seem to be much use being anything else.
Winston Churchill

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
Author Unknown

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.
Anne Frank

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
Henri Matisse

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results.
Willie Nelson

The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.
Benjamin Franklin

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.
Helen Keller

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.
Arthur Rubinstein

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
Anthony J. D'Angelo

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours.
Swedish Proverb

Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitable bring about right results.
James Allen

Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life become more secure, more fraught with action, richer in experience and achievement.
Edward Rickenbacker

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.
Voltaire

Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.
Dr. Joyce Brothers

I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.
Denis Waitley

Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not remain so if you only perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.
James Allen

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
Herm Albright

You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.
Ralph Marston

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
Carl Gustav Jung

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.
W. Clement Stone

These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
William James

To love what you do and feel that it matters how could anything be more fun?
Katharine Graham

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one.
Cavett Robert

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.
Hubert Humphrey

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
Winston Churchill

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
William Allen White

Read More...