8 Bad Communication Habits You Need to Break Immediately

                            
 Conversations are a big part of our everyday life. And, whether you think of yourself as a world-class communicator or you're someone who would just rather send an email than deal with face-to-face chatter, chances are you have at least a few bad communication habits that are driving people crazy.
Take a look at these eight common faux pas. If you find yourself guilty of any of them? Well, it's time you pull in the reins and stop -- immediately.

1. Constantly Interrupting

We all have one thing in common when talking: We want to be listened to. So, if you're one of those people who tends to jump in and interrupt or -- even worse -- tries to complete people's sentences for them, you need to keep yourself in check.
You might think your constant interjections are a way to show your level of engagement. But, they really just make you a conversational bulldozer.

2. Multitasking

Conversations deserve your full attention -- and not just the halfhearted glances you're willing to give them when you manage to rip your focus away from your iPhone screen.
Multitasking is a habit we're likely all guilty of. But, you need to be present for your conversations, no matter how menial or futile they may seem. That means no scrolling through your email or subconsciously thinking about your grocery list. Give your conversational partners the attention they deserve.

3. Using Qualifiers

"Don't take this personally, but...", "This might be a bad idea, but...", or "I know what you're thinking, but..."
Qualifiers exist for nearly every situation. But, if you have the tendency to overuse them, you might be driving people up a wall. Why? Well, while these prefacing statements might seem like a great way to sugarcoat your sentences, they often just come off as condescending and unnecessary.

4. Equating Your Experiences

Tell me if this situation sounds familiar: Someone is explaining a difficult problem he's currently facing. You immediately retort with, "I know exactly how you feel!" and then launch into your own long-winded tail of a time you experienced something that's not even the least bit similar.
It's important to remember that human experiences are all different. Your attempts to show empathy are admirable. But, in most cases, you're better off just listening and lending support.

5. Floundering

We've all had to deal with those people who seem to just ramble on endlessly without a point -- those people who appear to only be talking simply because they like the sound of their own voices.
Needless to say, you don't want to garner this reputation for yourself by constantly chiming in without a clear purpose. When you do decide to speak up, make sure that you're prepared to be clear and concise. That's the mark of a skilled communicator.

6. Avoiding Direct Contact

I'm a big fan of the convenience of email and text messages. However, if you've ever dealt with someone who took the time to write out a lengthy message for something he or she could've easily explained to you in-person in as few as two sentences, you know how frustrating that can be.
The never-ending assortment of communication tools available today has made us all a little less willing to actually talk to one another. So, before hitting send on a message, ask yourself if this is something that could be done more efficiently in-person or over the phone. You'll save yourself (and the person on the receiving end!) a lot of headaches.

7. Waiting Instead of Listening

As my mom always loves to tell me, "There's a big difference between hearing and listening!" And, when you're having a conversation with someone, you should be actively listening.
That means you're not just staying silent while thinking of your next point and waiting for your chance to talk again. Instead, you're engaged in what that person is explaining. Trust me -- people can tell when you're tuning them out.

8. Using Filler Words

"Hey, Jason. Umm... I'm just checking in on that, uhhh... report to see if you think you'll, like, have that done by the end of the day."
You knew this one had to make it onto the list somewhere. This is perhaps one of the toughest bad habits to break . We're all so used to littering our sentences with these unnecessary words -- it's like a nervous tick for most of us. But, make your best efforts to cut them out. Your conversations will be much cleaner and more polished.

Breaking a bad habit isn't always easy. But, channel your energy into removing these faux pas from your conversations, and you're sure to be a better communicator.

Written by Kat boogard
twitter.com/kat_boogaard

Kat is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer, mainly covering topics related to careers and self-development. Currently, she's a staff writer for The Muse, the career editor for The Everygirl, and a career-advice blogger for ZipRecruiter and Koru. When she escapes her computer screen, you can find her baby-talking her rescued terrier mutt, pretending to be a runner, or cursing at a recent DIY project.

How to Bring Your Brand Back From the Dead

There's absolutely no way that you haven't noticed the dominance that Marvel has had recently. The company has become an entertainment juggernaut that has conquered both the big and little screens. But, it's hard to believe that back in 1996 Marvel actually filed for bankruptcy.

But instead of throwing in the towel, the powers at Marvel figured out that they had hot commodities that could and would translate beyond the pages of comic books. Marvel Studios was launched and they took a gamble on creating a cinematic universe - which has clearly paid off.

Marvel isn't the only company that has staged a comeback after seemingly being dead. Several brands like Lego, Mini, Nintendo, and Volkswagen have all been able to come back from the brink of death. But, what if your brand is completely dead? Does it have a chance to comeback? If you follow those tips, it very well could.

Overhaul Your Brand

Let's be honest here. There's a reason why your brand died. Maybe you didn't have a product that was built-to-last. Perhaps there was a PR disaster or you were unwilling to embrace change. Again, remember that you're not the only company that's gone through this. Almost every company above was in the same boat. Whatever the cause, if you want to resurrect your brand, then the first place to start is to give your brand a complete overhaul.

Since giving a brand a complete overhaul can mean a variety of things, are here a handful of examples of how brands overhauled themselves in order to make a comeback.

• Tap into a new markets. Old Spice is an excellent example of a brand that appealed to new customers after the company realized that Old Spice was seen as an old and tired brand and changed that perception. In the early 2000s, the company released a new line of products and packaging that was aligned with absurd marketing such as the video that went viral during the Super Bowl showing the guy on the white horse. (hint: They got a video on YouTube.) The Old Spice marketers knew they had a great produce with their "Glacial Falls," but it wasn't pulling in the crowd that was needed to make it succeed. The name was changed to "Swagger." The name exudes confidence. They put out commercials with guys with the tagline, "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like." Awesome strategy increasing profits 107% immediately. Since 2010 sales have increased 11% year-over-year.
• Launch a new product. In the early 1980s a nefarious individual replaced Tylenol bottles with bottles contained cyanide in Chicago. While Tylenol was not at fault, the company recalled every bottle and released "gelcaps" that are triple-sealed and tamper-proof. Having a company take that very localized incident seriously gave them an opportunity to show themselves as proactive, protective of consumers, and also a new launch opportunity while they were big in the news.
• Bring in a new team. While Steve Jobs was an original founder, Jobs was brought back to save Apple. However, there are companies,such as River West Brands, that purchases dead brands and injects new life into them with a new set of ideas. In fact, there are a number of entrepreneurs who would rather inject in a new business that has an existing fan base than starting from scratch.

When it is time to announce your revamped brand, you want to share that info with the world by creating quality content, reaching out to influencers, running promotions, and engaging and interacting with your target audience. It's imperative that you know who this target audience will be so that you can effectively market to that demographic.

Play the Nostalgia Card

Nostalgia isn't just fun. It's also an effective marketing technique.Research has found that nostalgia "can 'counteract loneliness, boredom and anxiety,' as well as make us more tolerant and generous." Another study discovered that "nostalgia is universal, experienced across all cultures, and actually increases self-esteem and 'social connectedness,' which relates to feelings of being loved and protected."

If you want to tap into the nostalgia you can share vintage on social media for Throwback Thursday, show the evolution of your brand, bring back an old logo or package design, or even run a promotion where your product or service is the original price.

Whatever direction you go into, use nostalgia as way to remind customers why they fell in love with your product or service in the first place.

Reach Out to Previous Customers

Speaking of previous customers, you can also reach out to your customers who made you what you are in the first place -- Maybe with all the noise, they have just forgotten you and need to be reminded. But you can find out why they left your brand in the first place. I personally like to give them a call as the CEO. I feel it ads a personal touch and they feel like it's not a standard sales call.

If you have an email list of your customers you could send them a questionnaires or survey to find what they liked and disliked about your brand. You can also read online reviews to see what your customers have to say regarding your brand. Take their advice to heart and do what it take to get this fan base back. This customer is more likely to give you a quick second chance if they enjoyed your product or service the first time around, which is easier than selling to an unknown. This group is also more likely to give you feedback.

Besides listening to your previous customers, don't hesitate to send them coupons through email or push notifications. We all love incentivizes, but don't forget to have a sense of urgency as well.

During this process, make sure that you have an excellent customer service team in-place.Top notch customer service is one the best ways to make customers fall in love with brands.

Don't Let Your Brand Die in the First Place

While it is definitely possible for your brand to come back from the dead, you could make your life a lot easier if you prevent this from happening in the first place. That means that you pay attention to any potential warning signs that your brand is in danger.

This includes;

• Not adapting your business to reflect the changes in the market.
• A shrinking customer base.
• A brand that has been constantly operating in the red.
• Your brand is not as exciting or innovative as your competitors.

What have you done to bring your brand back from the dead?

 Written by John Rampton
 John Rampton is an entrepreneur, investor, online marketing guru, and startup enthusiast. He is the founder of online payment company Due. Best known as an entrepreneur and connector, Rampton was recently ranked No. 2 in Entrepreneur magazine's Top 50 Online Influencers in the World, as well as named a marketing expert by Time. He currently advises several companies in the San Francisco Bay area.

twitter.com/johnrampton

What is Financial Maturity?

What's the difference between being financially independent, financially secure, or financially mature? Early in my career, I probably would have said not much. But during 20 years in the financial services industry I've discovered there are indeed big differences.
Let's start with some definitions. Financial independence is achieved when you have accumulated enough in investment assets that the income those assets produce can reasonably be expected to meet your needs for the rest of your life.  In other words, you no longer have to work to produce income.  As long as you can reasonably foresee and anticipate your future expenses, it's a reasonably logical black or white calculation.
Financial security, on the other hand, is an emotion. To many people, financial security is defined as freedom from worry. It's a state of being so confident in your financial situation that you no longer worry about whether you'll have "enough."  That feeling of confidence allows the financially secure the freedom to live their lives as they want to and dedicate their energies toward activities that are personally meaningful.  For many financially secure people, those activities might very well include some kind of paid work that is still necessary to pay the bills. They may not be financially independent, but they are confident enough in their financial situation to pursue the life they want and feel secure in doing so.
But one thing that puzzled me for a number of years, is why I would very often see people who had accumulated large amounts of wealth - multimillion dollar estates - who clearly were financial independent, but would stay in jobs for which they had little passion because they felt they needed more. If they had $5 million they felt they needed $6 million. If they had $6 million they felt they needed $8 million.  On the other hand, I often saw people who were not financially independent who were willing - in some cases eager - to give up their high-paying jobs to pursue their passions. What was the difference between these two types of people? Financial Maturity.
Financial Maturity is a combination of four elements that lead to confidence in our financial plans. The first is the need to educate yourself in the areas of personal finance. Since we often fear what we don't understand, educating yourself is the first step toward overcoming that fear and gaining that feeling of confidence and security. While you don't have to become an investment expert, you should have a working knowledge of your personal financial statements, assets, debts, income and expenses, tax rules and the impact each has on the other. If you are considering giving up your current income stream by retiring or changing jobs, you should also understand basic income distribution strategies. Knowledge of personal finance issues is the first step to Financial Maturity.
Secondly, you need to prepare yourself in two ways. You need to save and accumulate assets, but you also, and perhaps more importantly, need to get a very firm understanding of your total expenses that are required to support your lifestyle. How much is “enough” to save and accumulate for financial independence is directly dependent on how much you spend. Likewise, if you are not ready for retirement but would like to consider a job or career change, knowledge of your expenses and potential income from your accumulated assets is critical to developing an earnings strategy that will allow you to make that change.
When we’ve educated and prepared ourselves, the third element is to exercise the discipline to stick to our plan. For many this has a negative connotation that feels restrictive or limiting. But for the Financially Mature, that discipline represents freedom and peace of mind. Just as our social freedom depends on rules of law that serve a greater purpose (the safety and security of everyone) so too does our financial freedom. For the Financially Mature, the discipline to live within their means supports the greater purpose of creating the freedom to spend their days pursuing the activities they choose. That same discipline also provides the peace of mind that comes from confidence in our financial security.
The final element of Financial Maturity is in having a healthy relationship with money. Virtually every major decision we make involves some consideration of the monetary consequences. What we do, where we live and who we associate with are all impacted by our attitudes and beliefs about money. Often, those attitudes and beliefs come from childhood or cultural experiences that taint our perspective. Examining the source of our attitudes and beliefs allows us to discard those that no longer serve our purpose. It then allows us to create a new set of attitudes and beliefs that are aligned with our values and purpose. By aligning our attitudes, beliefs and actions around money with our personal values and purpose, we create a healthy perspective that eliminates much of the stress and turmoil that money creates in our lives.
As with so many things, we often tend to put the cart before the horse. Sure we would all like to be financially independent. But financial independence, like financial security, depends first on becoming financially mature.

Written by Keith Weber 

 Keith Weber has been in the financial services industryfor over 26 years. He is now a consultant, speaker, and Certified Professional Retirement Coach helping people prepare for the non-financial aspects of retirement. The information presented here is for educational purposes only. Please consult a qualified financial advisor for assistance regarding your specific situation. Keith can be reached at info@rethinkingretirement.com or for more information, visit www.kjweber.com.

DON’T FORGET but be grateful.

                                                      Written by Pst Sam Oluwatoye

PSALM 78: 41-43: Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

BIBLE READING:  PSALM 78: 38-55

Have you ever given something to someone and that person refused to appreciate your gift? Or have you ever done well to anyone, only for that person to turn around and fight you? I am sure you know that could be very painful. I have met people who are never grateful for anything. It does not matter what you do to help them or what you give to them, they are never grateful. Someone once said that anyone who is not grateful is a great fool. Well, I think that is a very correct statement because we are expected to appreciate whatever good is done to us.

In our devotional today, we learn about the mistakes made by the children of Israel. So many times when I read the bible and story of the Israelites and how God rescued them from slavery, I think of how wonderful God has been to them. However, when I also read of how they reacted so many times to God and complained despite all that God did to them, I usually wish I could see some of them and punish them for their foolish actions. I am sure you have felt that way before also but I want to let you know todaythat many of us are guilty of the same thing these days. Just like the children of Israel forgot about the faithfulness of God and complained several times, many Christians do the same also. We wake up in the morning and instead of giving praise to God, we complain about what we do not yet have or possess. Some people even praise God in the morning and before night time, they are already complaining to God. Many times, the issue is that we forget what God had once done in our lives.

I strongly believe there is no one person on the face of the earth who has not tasted of the goodness of God. The bible says that He makes rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. That is wonderful because it shows how merciful God is. I usually say that if I were allowed to act in the stead of God for one day, half of the world population will be dead by the end of the day. God is so merciful and long suffering towards us. When people complain, I always wonder if they are not aware of the battles that God fights on their behalf every day. The fact that you are alive is a sign that God is still with you and it will be very ungrateful of you if you do not acknowledge this. The Israelites forgot all that God did for them by delivering them from bondage and still murmured and complained. Seeing the miracle at the red sea alone is enough to give them a confidence that God can deliver them again and again. Are you one of those who murmur and complain against God? Are you one of those who compare yourself with other people and conclude that God has not been good to you? If God were to remove His eyes from you for one day, I am sure you will discover the difference.

Don’t forget what God has done in the past. If he delivered you from that sickness, He can deliver you from poverty. If He didn’t allow the devil to take your life when you were young even when you know that some of your friends are no more, then you can be sure that He can still do much more for you. Learn to give God thanks from today and appreciate Him for what He has done. Many of the Israelites did not make the Promised Land because of murmur and complain and it is the same today that many will not fulfill purpose for the same reason. Apologize today for acting in ignorance all this while and be patient to see Him unfold His plans for your life. He that started a good work in you is able to complete it. God is working out something in you.

ACTION POINT: Don’t ask for anything in prayertoday, just show gratitude by praising Him.

TODAY’S CONFESSION:                                                

1.       Lord, thank you for who you are in my life. I am grateful that you are my God.

2.       Lord, thank you for where I amtoday and where you are taking me.

3.       Some may trust in horses and some may trust in Chariots, but I will never stop trusting in you Almighty God.

He can be reached through +234 8024500269, +2347081563466,www.thelordscrew.org.

 www.facebook.com/samoluwatoye

Erdogan to Berlin: be sensible on Armenia genocide bill

                                   
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on Germany to show "common sense" over a resolution recognising the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces as "genocide".
 Speaking to German Chancellor Angela Merkel by phone ahead of the vote in German parliament, Erdogan said: "We expect common sense from Germany with regard to the resolution,".
Germany's parliament votes Thursday on a resolution that qualifies the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces as "genocide", despite strong warnings from Turkey.
Drawn up by the ruling left-right coalition and the opposition Greens, the resolution entitled "Remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915 and 1916" also carries the contested word throughout the text.
The vote comes just over a year after President Joachim Gauck became Germany's highest ranking official to describe the massacre as a "genocide", drawing a fierce response from Turkey.
Its timing is also awkward, as Germany and the European Union need Ankara to help stem a migrant influx even as tensions are rising between both sides over a string of issues, including human rights.
Cautioning against the vote, Turkey's deputy prime minister and government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus said: "Germany must be careful concerning its relations with Turkey."

YOU CARRY CREATIVE ABILITIES

                          

When the lion does not know it is a lion, and begins to bark like a dog,then there is problem,BUT  when the lion roars,that is when the lesser animals in the jungle run for their dear lives.It means that the lion knows its creative abilities.Look,no matter how bad the economy of the jungle is,the lions can never eat grass.

The holy bible started with the creative abilities of God,and when one looks closely at the word of God,you will see that the holy bible is the book of creativity.God in his greatness created man in his own image ,after his likeness,which makes God the CREATOR.

God was the first to create something out of nothing,and we are born of God,and we live in God,and God lives in us,so if God lives in us,it means that we carry the creative abilities of God in us.

God has placed  his abilities in every of his children,and for a person to leave the category of poor,wretched and the masses in the society,he or she must put these divine creative abilities to use.Get out those categories because something greater is in you.

When the abilities of God is at work in you,you will never be in the categories of the poor and needy,neither will you be rejected but you will be a shinning star and a great success.

How can you be an embodiment of talents and you are poor?

Look,the reason why many youths in our nation are jobless is because they do not know that they have creative abilities in them that can bring them into great success.Another word for creative abilitiy is your talent.Right from the book of Genesis to Malachi,God demonstrated his creative abilities and God was a great success,but in the New Testerment, God in the form of Christ Jesus became the great phycisian,and most importantly,became the most controversial celebrity in the bible history,and he was a success.

The greatest actor on the cross shouted”IT IS FINISHED”.

Having realised that you are created in the image of God,with the creative abilities of God in you,create job opportunities and become a shinning star.

If you don't have a job,use the creative abilities of God in you to create job opportunities for the jobless youths around you,and bring money into your pocket

Just as God created something out of nothing,you can created a beautiful world for yourself with your creative abilities that are inside you which are your gifts and talents,because greater is him that lives in you than them that are in the world.

I remain yours 

Paris mayor announces plan for migrant camp

                                           

A camp for migrants is to be set up in the north of Paris within the next six weeks, the mayor of the French capital has announced.

Anne Hidalgo said that the exact location of the "humanitarian camp" would be revealed in the next few days after an inspection of possible sites.
Hundreds of migrants have been camping rough in the city.
Meanwhile, the death toll from migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean last week was revised upwards to 1,000.
International Organization for Migration spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo gave the new figure which comes after an estimate on Sunday of 700 deaths by the UN refugee agency.
The new camp in Paris is expected to provide both day facilities and overnight accommodation.
France already has official migrant camps near the northern ports of Calais and Dunkirk, seen by undocumented migrants as gateways to the UK.