Everything You Need to Know About Resume Writing Services to Guarantee the Best Resume Possible

Dejan
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Everything You Need to Know About Resume Writing Services to Guarantee the Best Resume Possible

There are many resume writing services on the market today, but it is hard to know which service will guarantee the very best resume.

As a student or a job seeker, you are probably not that experienced in creating your own CV or resume. At least not in the way that it will stand out to assure you at least an interview.

There are many services that can help you, but not all will give you best results.

Most of them are just students with little to no experience who want to earn an extra buck while they study.

There are certain things you must know if you are looking for someone to help you create a resume companies can’t refuse.

That’s why we’ve put together this blog post on which services are worth your time and money and which you should avoid.

The 3 Different Types of Resume Services:

everything-you-need-to-know-about-resume-writing

When it comes to resume services, there are basically 3 types of companies that offer their services:

1. The “Needs Work” Service.

The “needs work” service is highly reminiscent of the days when employers only hired people who showed up ready to work on their first day because they were always looking for new employees.

Those days aren’t so far off anymore, though, as employers now expect a good and professional job application nonetheless.

That means that this outfit will provide you with a template resume based on your input and send it to you for approval.

If there are any changes you need to make, then they will be willing to make them, provided it’s within a certain range of what they know is acceptable.

Remember, they don’t want to risk making an applicant seem unprofessional at the start of the job search.

2. The “Guarantees Best Resume” Service.

This service guarantees that your resume will be the best of all the resumes you get from other resume writing services.

They’ll go back and forth with you on your resume until they get it just right.

3. The “Professional Resume Writer” Service.

The professional resume writer service is similar to the needs work service, except that these writers don’t make changes to what’s on your template at all.

They’ll just copy it and make sure that it is formatted appropriately and isn’t plagiarized.

How to Know You Have The Best Resume?

As we mentioned above, each company may tell you that they are the best resume writing service.

Still, there’s only one way to know for sure: by having another service review your resume and giving you their opinion on the services you’ve received.

Furthermore, we recommend that you use a combination of services from different companies.

This way, you’re sure to get the very best out of every service you use.

Ultimately, if you feel that any of the services you’ve used aren’t doing their job right, then we suggest that you seek out another company to review your resume as well.

What You Should Know About Resume Writers and Plagiarism?

Resume writers need to be particularly careful with the plagiarism of resumes. That’s why it’s best to check your resume on some plagiarism checker online to make sure it’s not copied from somewhere.

Get to know the laws around plagiarism.

According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), “the consequences of plagiarism can be serious and long-lasting, even if it appears to be unintentional.“

“Conversion” is defined as “to willfully and without authority alter, modify, copy, translate, prepare derivative works from, perform, display or distribute.”

In other words: Plagiarism is theft under U.S. copyright law.

The question then becomes:

How does copyright law apply to resume writing?

Simply put, if you are required to make significant changes to the content on a resume (such as making it longer or more detailed, for example), that content is no longer protected by copyright.

Therefore, if your resume is substantially similar to someone else’s (even if you’re not copying large sections of text), you may be liable for copyright infringement, and this is a no brainer case of plagiarism!

Under U.S. copyright law, the person who’s actually doing a copy job is always responsible for plagiarism.

If you’re using someone else’s resume and you haven’t contacted them and given them consent to use it, then they are the ones who need to be held accountable.

What Job Seekers and Resume Writers Should Know?

Advice for Job Seekers:

You can expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $500 and above for a professional resume. After spending that kind of money, you want to make sure that you get good value for your money.

Make sure that you choose a company with a money back guarantee. They should guarantee that they can get you in front of employers within 30 days or less.

Assess the quality of the writing, grammar, and other criteria before and after your resume is completed and give them comments on how they can improve their services.

The resume writing company you choose must be willing to work with you until you are delighted with their services and the end product.

The resume writing company should have an in house editor who is available for consultation when necessary.

It’s always a good idea to ask the writer questions about the process of creating your resume, this will ensure that you won’t get stuck with one that doesn’t fit your specific needs.

The resumes shouldn’t take too long to make. If it takes you an excessive amount of time to review the final drafts, then you might want to rethink the service you’re getting.

It is better to choose a small resume writing company but with a proven track record of good performance and in house editors.

There is also some great resume writing companies that offer 24 hour turnaround and all year ’round online services.

Advice for Resume Writers:

Upload your resume to job sites, but also use your own Web site as a portfolio.

If you are a student we know you are super busy, but make sure to set aside some time to do your resume right.

Make sure you put your best foot forward and that your resume is error free.

If you are using someone else’s resume and you haven’t contacted them and given them consent to use it, then they are the ones who need to be held accountable.

We hope you enjoy the article and have found it helpful in your search for the best resume writing service.

If you have anything to add to this guide, please leave a comment or write us an email at [email protected]. If you like the article, please share it with others.

Find Life Coach | Meet Catrin Atkins: How to Regain Clarity and Focus?

Dejan
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Find Life Coach | Meet Catrin Atkins: How to Regain Clarity and Focus?

She impressed us with her bravery and dedication to help others understand themselves a little better. Here is what she said.

Meet Life Coach Catrin Atkins:

find-life-coach-catrin-atkins

Name: Catrin Atkins
Pillar: The Mind
Who is this coach for: Anyone who wants to regain clarity and focus over their life.
How they can help: By using techniques like CBT, NLP and often intuition.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these Pandemic times?

We’re doing we thank you, so grateful to have two dogs to walk each day to give us some routine and so happy to have the flexibility of working from home!

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?

If anything I was a little busier, especially over the summer of 2020 when people started realising they had more time to think about what they wanted in life.

Working from home was a bit of a challenge initially but I soon found my groove.

What are the biggest lessons that you learned in this pandemic?

1. That the little things in life really are worth celebrating.

2. That family and friends make all the difference.

3. That it’s OK to ask for help.

The Origin:

Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?

As with everything, once I changed one thing, everything changed!

I spent up until 5 years ago not knowing what I wanted to do with my life and then me and my husband set up a software business together, I then set up a women in tech group as well as a life coach business.

What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?

Probably my disability. I have Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus which cry basically means that I walk with crutches.

Both society’s limitations and my own learnt behavior has at times made things harder for myself than they needed to be.

That’s whatI Iike about being in the coaching industry, as much as I’m helping my clients, I’m also helping myself work through limiting beliefs and upper limit problems all the time!

The Coaching Style:

How do you innovate with coaching your clients?

I use a variety of techniques such as NLP, CBT and good old intuition to help each person individually.

Oh and most of my clients are Welsh speakers and I offer my services in both Welsh and English.

What’s unique about your coaching approach?

(not sure how to answer that)

What benefits do your clients get after working with you?

Clarity and focus.

They like and understand themselves much better.

Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?

Listening twice as much as I speak.

The Impact:

If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?

Be your own best friend. You can’t hate yourself into a version of yourself that you like.

Be nicer to yourself. Always.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?

That I can do pretty much anything I want to if I’m determined enough.

That life will always have curveballs but it’s the journey that counts, not the destination.

Your final thoughts?

No final thoughts.

Where Can You Find Catrin Atkins?

If you want to get in touch with coach Catrin Atkins you can do that via her LinkedIn profile.

It was an honor having this interview with her.

Find Life Coach | Meet Martin Feaver: How to See Yourself As Good Enough?

Dejan
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0
Find Life Coach | Meet Martin Feaver: How to See Yourself As Good Enough?

Martin Feaver is one of the coaches that we found and we did a little interview with him. He impressed us with his approach to coaching, instead of fixing “the issue” he helps you see that you were already good enough to begin with. Here is what he said.

Meet Life Coach Martin Feaver:

find-life-coach-martin-feaver

Name: Martin Feaver
Pillar: The Mind
Who is this coach for: Men who want to be free of limiting labels and live life on their terms.
How they can help: Through a mix of talking therapy and physical theory.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these Pandemic times?

Like others, the pandemic has been a mixed experience.

It has given me the opportunity to pause and reflect on how I was spending my time and where my focus was in my professional and personal life and how I want to take my life and business forwards.

I’m emerging with an awareness that what I offer is needed more now than ever.

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?

Prior to the pandemic all my work was physically face to face. This meant I didn’t have any clients initially and claimed government support.

I felt I wanted to do something to help both my clients and people generally feel supported during our strict first lockdown and ran a free daily online 20 minute community coaching group. It was for 14 weeks and each day of the week had a specific theme.

The theme mattered; the connection more so. As I became more comfortable using virtual meetings I developed virtual catch up sessions with my clients to give them the opportunity talk with someone beyond their household.

If they lived alone this was even more important. These were not client coaching sessions since one of the conditions of the government support was to receive not I was not allowed to do my regular paid work.

I now offer online coaching sessions.

What are the biggest lessons that you learned in this pandemic?

That life is finite and life happens when you are planning for it.

Plans are possible outcomes and that when they don’t happen be flexible and go with the flow rather than push water uphill with a fork!

The Origin:

Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?

When I started coaching it didn’t actually exist as it does now. There were no ‘coaching qualifications’ and my pathway to becoming a mind and body coach evolved.

I was a physical education teacher with a masters in Human Movement, had completed a dissertation in Physical Activity and Mental Well Being and was passionate about the physical AND mental benefits of moving the body.

I left the profession and set up my own business as a personal trainer, before there were personal trainers! I noticed there were gaps in my learning and skills to help my clients achieve their goals and set about broadening and deepening my knowledge.

Over the years my interest and knowledge and experience in the power of the mind and body connection is offered to my clients today through MASC, Men and Somatic Connection.

What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?

Trusting myself.

The Coaching Style:

How do you innovate with coaching your clients?

Firstly I have a maximum of 10 clients on my books at a time. This means I can focus on them and not spread myself too thinly.

My clients also have to meet particular criteria to work with me. This saves them and me time, lets me know if they are ready to make changes and if they will benefit from working with me. These are the 5 fundamentals:

1. Change is Your Choice.

Regular coaching implies you are lacking and there is a mythical ‘better’ version of yourself that you ought to aim to be. This comparison is the thief of your joy. MASC Training challenges this and believes you are good enough now even if you don’t quite believe it. Every decision and choice you have ever made has got you to where you are today. That’s to be celebrated. You made it. You survived. Where you go from here is over to you.

2. Feeling Safe You Thrive.

Feeling safe to explore and discover you and your life is a fundamental element of every MASC Training experience.

You live your life according to how safe, or unsafe, you feel. Your brain is continually asking how safe am I now and how safe will I be in the future?

Your perception and prediction of your physical and mental safety rather than reality dictates your focus, choices, energy, habits, movement… absolutely everything in your life. It is determined by your experiences every day and throughout your life.

When you feel safe enough mentally, physically and emotionally your body and mind relaxes and you become aware of possibilities and opportunities instead of threats. You have the potential to thrive and perform at your best in every area of your life. Even the way you move improves!

3. The Mind and Body Connection.

Most people are stuck living in their head. They have a six lane motorway to their body and a cycle path back to their head.

You live and experience your life through your body and mind and you store those experiences and their impacts and outcomes in your body and mind. This interrelationship is the mind body connection.

Developing your awareness of the mind body connection with specific talking and physical interventions, MASC Training helps you release impacts and outcomes that no longer serve you and discover new mental and physical patterns that do.

You are mind AND body so train your mind and body!

4. Keeping the Chain Going.

Habits are our physical, mental and emotional patterns.

They keep the chain going and are the way we create, experience and negotiate our lives. Most we perform automatically, without thinking. Some we want. Others, well, we’d rather do without.

Repetition and consistency changes your mind and body’s wiring and brings results. Results keep you motivated and on track.

MASC Training contains practical tools and processes that empower you to ditch habits that no longer serve you and create and use habits to make changes happen in your life.

5. Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First.

You are the most important person in your life.

That doesn’t mean no one else matters. Looking after yourself first is taking care of your own needs so you have the energy, kindness, love and focus to be there for others resentment free.

Recognizing it can be tough getting used to putting your own oxygen mask on first, MASC Training supports you to make sure it fits and works.

What’s unique about your coaching approach?

I use both talking therapy and physical theory.

Head down and body up! We hold issues in our tissues and our heads.

What benefits do your clients get after working with you?

They have faith and trust in themselves.

Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?

I employ people to do the tasks I am not trained in or don’t want to do.

The Impact:

If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?

What other people think of you is none of your business. Be you.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?

I am good enough and always have been.

Your final thoughts?

There is no wrong or right way. I kept searching for THE answer. There isn’t one. There never was.

Where Can You Find Martin Feaver?

If you want to learn more about his philosophy and coaching you can visit the official website at https://www.martinfeaver.com/.

You can watch his video here and discover more about what he means when he says mind and body connection.

If you want to contact him you can do that via his contact form on his website or on his LinkedIn account here. It was an honor having this interview with him.

A Short Guide to Hair Loss and the Effect it Can Have on Your Mental Health

Dejan
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0
A Short Guide to Hair Loss and the Effect it Can Have on Your Mental Health

Thinning hair can have a devastating impact on mental health.

It can lower a person’s self esteem, make them question their appearance, and generally wreak havoc on their confidence.

From the way of life to what you put on your head, what you eat, drink and consume on a daily basis, everything can impact the health of your hair.

Hair loss is a common issue that can occur for a number of reasons. Luckily, there are a few ways to help you maintain a full head of hair for longer while keeping your spirits high too.

Here is a guide about the correlation between hair loss and mental health and how to prevent hair loss.

How Does Hair Loss Occur?

short-guide-to-hair-loss

Figuring out why a person loses their hair can be difficult. As we mentioned, almost everything can impact the health of your hair.

Reasons can include age, genetics, hormones, and health conditions, but it can also be down to lifestyle choices too.

A few common causes of hair loss include diet, vitamin deficiency, alopecia, and stress. It can also occur as a result of treatments and medication.

Hair Loss and Mental Health:

Whatever the reasoning behind it, hair loss can have a psychological effect on an individual.

Ultimately, it can result in emotional issues such as anxiety and depression.

In cultures throughout time, a head full of hair was naturally associated with good health, youth, and beauty.

Being faced with thinning hair can cause people to panic and question their worth in society.

Furthermore, when people stress out about losing their hair, they can make matters worse because stress can cause the life cycle of hair to change.

In fact, stressing out can lead to the temporary hair loss condition called alopecia areata. This condition causes bald patches to appear.

How to Prevent Hair Loss:

If you are experiencing hair loss, you should first remain calm and try to figure out the cause.

Stress related hair loss can be reversed by reducing stressful factors in your life and partaking in relaxing activities.

In addition, speaking to a professional can also provide you with answers to your problems.

The Harley Street Hair Clinic is made up of doctors who offer specialist advice and provide a variety of services. They offer FUE hair transplant in the UK, and can help you figure out if it is the right treatment for you.

If you want to go the natural route you can try to find the best vegan collagen. To improve the health of your hair consider these 2 main factors.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet.

A balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals can have a huge effect on hair health.

In particular, D, E, and B vitamins can encourage hair growth, while minerals such as biotin, zinc, iron, and niacin can prevent premature hair loss.

Foods that are excellent for hair health include fatty fish, eggs, berries, seeds, nuts, and spinach.

2. Treat Your Hair With Care.

You may already know that piling on the products and excessively using permanent hair treatments, curling irons, and straighteners can damage hair, but many people don’t realize how much hairstyles matter too.

Scraping your hair back into a ponytail or a bun or creating tight braids can also weaken hair.

When styling your hair in the morning, try to handle it gently and avoid pulling it too hard.

Your lifestyle has a huge effect on the health of your hair. Try to avoid the things that damage your hair and include more of the things that improve your hair’s health.

How To Choose A Nootropic For Your Lifestyle to Enhance Cognitive Function

Dejan
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How To Choose A Nootropic For Your Lifestyle to Enhance Cognitive Function

Nootropics are prescription drugs, over the counter supplements, and other ingredients that may help enhance one’s cognitive functions, such as concentration, memory, self motivation, and even creativity.

These so called ‘smart drugs’ have steadily increased in popularity over the years.

More people want to boost their brain functions to stay competitive in the workplace or in school and remain mentally agile even during their twilight years.

Since there are plenty of cognitive enhancing products on the market, it may be challenging to determine the one that’s best for you.

For those suffering from diagnosed mental health problems such as dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, you might need prescription nootropics to deal with your symptoms. It would be best to consult your physician about the matter.

Healthy individuals may not need a doctor’s prescription, but it’s advisable to take brain health supplements made by reputable companies and backed by clinical studies, user testimonials, and expert reviews.

For example, many online health websites have reviewed AlphaBrain, a complete brain enhancer produced by Onnit, a health brand owned by American celebrity Joe Rogan.

Another way to pick the right brain boosting supplement is to consider what you need or require based on how you live.

Below are helpful tips on how to choose a nootropic for your lifestyle.

How To Choose A Nootropic For Your Unique Lifestyle:

how-to-choose-nootropic-for-lifestyle

For Active Seniors

To maintain brain health, seniors must eat a balanced diet and continue to engage in an active lifestyle.

Aside from regular exercise, activities like dancing may prevent the brain from aging.

However, nootropics with vitamin B6, or Pyridoxine HCL, as a key ingredient would be beneficial for those who want to address age related mild cognitive impairment.

B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, may aid in significantly easing brain atrophy.

Pyridoxine HCL may also be critical in the creation of neurotransmitters, which are brain messengers. Hence, cognitive decline or dementia in older people has been linked to Pyridoxine HCL deficiency.

Aside from B6, you may benefit from the memory enhancing properties of Ginkgo biloba. Additionally, the cellular integrity of the brain’s neural connections may be enhanced by both L leucine and pterostilbene.

For Ambitious Employees

Employees who want career advancement tend to work long hours and take on extra responsibilities.

Thus, it’s no wonder that many of them suffer from stress, sleep deficiency, and even meltdowns due to the cutthroat competition in most work environments.

If you’re a workaholic, you can benefit from brain health supplements containing L theanine and L tyrosine.
L theanine is a beneficial amino acid you can find in black tea, and it may be responsible for producing serotonin and dopamine. These are enzymes that stimulate mental clarity and improve concentration.

Meanwhile, L tyrosine helps boost brain functions in people who are stressed, are sleep deprived, and have many responsibilities on their plate. Like L theanine, L tyrosine is an amino acid that promotes the production of dopamine.

For Determined Students

College and graduate students sometimes need help with memory retention to remember all the information they read from books, journals, and articles, especially during exams.

The problem is that there are many distractions in college life, including extracurricular activities, part time work, and even countless parties to go to.

So most students may be on an uphill battle for mental clarity and need help to retain what they learn from their lessons and studies.

You may benefit from taking nootropics with Huperzia serrata, Bacopa monnieri, and phosphatidylserine if you’re an adult student. All these ingredients may effectively improve memory retention.

For Competitive Athletes

Endurance, strength, and maximum physical health are not the only qualities you need to excel in sports.

If you want to be a great athlete, you also need to sharpen your mind and increase your motivation to win.

Look for natural brain health supplements that contain Huperzia serrata, which may help enhance mental acuity or the brain’s speed of thought.

Meanwhile, Alpha GPC is a critical ingredient that may promote physical endurance while improving mental stamina.

For Busy Parents

Being a parent, especially of young children, can take a toll on your mental health.

It doesn’t matter if you’re working full time or staying at home to take care of your kids, being a parent is challenging.

Luckily, some nootropics contain natural components that may help busy parents manage stress while sharpening their mental functions.

Here are two critical ingredients to look for in cognitive enhancing supplements:

1. Cat’s Claw Extract: To activate DNA repair and improve mood.

2. Oat Straw Extract: To promote blood flow in the brain and aid in easing anxiety, depression, and stress.

What You Should Remember:

Everybody wants to maintain a healthy mind, sharp memory, and better brain functioning.

Experts would agree that exercising regularly and eating vitamin rich fruits and vegetables are essential in promoting mental health.

For those who want more cognitive enhancing abilities, nootropics may provide outstanding results.

To know what type of brain supplement will best give you the mental health benefit you require, you must thoroughly research and study the ingredients of the nootropic products you want to use.

We strongly advise you for any decision regarding your health to first consult with a professional doctor.

The 6 Main Vitamins That Everybody Needs to Take for Optimal Health

Dejan
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The 6 Main Vitamins That Everybody Needs to Take for Optimal Health

We’re all told that vitamins are essential for our bodies to function optimally.

We’re told to eat out fruits and vegetables in order to maintain good health.

But which essential vitamins are the most important?

Which foods are vital to include in your diet in order to obtain sufficient amounts of these vitamins?

In this article we will discuss the 6 main Vitamins everyone should take to maximize their health.

6 Main Vitamins for Optimal Health:

main-vitamins-for-optimal-health

Vitamin A

Vitamin A acts as a precursor for retinol, which is important to maintain healthy skin and eyes.

It’s also vital for cell growth and development.

You can obtain vitamin A from red, orange, and yellow vegetables such as peppers, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

These foods get their orange hues from a molecule called beta carotene, which is required for optimal health.

B Vitamins

The B vitamins comprise eight vitamins that work together to aid the metabolism and breakdown of macronutrients.

Each B vitamin has unique roles that are essential for the body to undergo its necessary functions.

For example, B12 works to keep the body’s nerve cells, and red and white blood cells healthy. It’s also required for DNA synthesis.

You can obtain B12 from most animal products. Vegans can get B12 from nutritional yeast or via supplementation.

Vitamins C

Vitamins C is an antioxidant.

It works to remove or reduce oxidative damage in the cells that is produced by oxygen free radicals during metabolism and growth.

Vitamin C is essential for the health of your teeth, skin, and blood vessels and can be found in peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, and kiwis.

Vitamin D

Your skin contains a precursor to vitamin D that gets activated upon exposure to sunlight.

You can also obtain vitamin D through your diet in foods such as mushrooms, fortified cereals, eggs, and fish.

Vitamin E

This essential nutrient also acts as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative damage within the body.

It helps to strengthen immune function, maintain good blood flow through the vessels, and keep the skin healthy.

Avocados, kiwis, mangoes, and nuts contain lots of vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is found in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.

It is required to activate certain proteins involved in the clotting pathway, which is essential to plug open wounds or cuts.

Without sufficient vitamin K, got caught by not being out to properly form.

What You Should Remember?

It’s important to try and eat a range of fruits and vegetables that are a variety of different colors.

Generally, similar colored produce contains similar micronutrients.

For example, red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin A. Green, leafy vegetables are full of vitamins C and K, as well as the minerals calcium and iron.

Therefore, to maximize your chances of getting sufficient amounts of every vitamin, aim to ‘eat the rainbow’ and incorporate lots of different fruits and vegetables into your diet.

If you’re struggling to obtain sufficient amounts of each nutrient through your diet, you can supplement with multivitamins or gummies that will boost your micronutrient intake.

The 5 Ingredients You Need to Build Your Leadership Skills (Part 2)

Roxana Radulescu
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The 5 Ingredients You Need to Build Your Leadership Skills (Part 2)

What I find striking about us, humans, is that, when we talk about communication, we refer to a diversity of ways that allow us to express ourselves – speaking, gesticulating, dancing, singing, painting, drawing, even simply making eye contact.

All good forms of communication, all helping us to express who we are, what we want to say, what we like or don’t like, how we think.

We’ll definitely talk about how we can express ourselves better as leaders – in our next episode in this leadership series.

But in this episode, we’re not going to talk about communication as we most generally perceive it. We’re going to turn tables and start with one form of communication that we usually disregard, dislike, downgrade, deny. It’s called listening.

The 5 Ingredients for Leadership:
Ingredient 2 – Communication: Learn to Listen First!

ingredients-to-build-your-leadership-skills-part-2

Because leaders who don’t listen, don’t really communicate. They merely express themselves, nothing more.

Communication involves some sort of a dialogue. And that’s an essential step to take when you’re a leader, because then you can include all opinions, perceptions, ideas, plans in the big picture. Which leads to engagement, loyalty, teamwork, all the good stuff that we want.

But listening is tricky, right? It’s tougher than we openly admit, hence its minuscule place in the hierarchy of communication skills we want to develop.

Simply nodding does not guarantee listening – so, what does?

‘No, that’s not what I meant’, or ‘You’re not listening to me’, or ‘I’ve just told you that’. Familiar? Not that this ever happened to any of us here, I just happened to hear other people complaining.

Why does this happen, when all we did was listen. I mean, you know, we thought we were listening, because we were nodding our head (repeatedly), humming as well, and even maintaining eye contact.

So why is it then that, at some point in the conversation, we get this feedback that we weren’t, in fact, listening.

What is listening and what makes it so difficult?

First off, we tend to treat listening as this passive thing we do (or don’t have to do?) when the other is talking. We look at it as ‘let them talk, while I can think about my ‘groceries shopping list’’. Because we do that, I mean, our brain does it. Oh, ok, not our brain, other people’s!

The brain is busy thinking about the next actions we need to take, even when we don’t want it to. Our brain seems to also have its own mind and not care about what we want it to do.

This is how, especially when we think we don’t have to do anything, we’re always busy thinking about something.

One of the most difficult things to achieve is to clear our minds, not think about anything.

Those of you who meditate or ever tried to, perfectly know this feeling. Because there’s always a buzz, a hum, a thought, a fraction of an action hidden right there, in a corner of our mind.

That’s how, instead of listening to what the other is saying, we’re busy trying to decipher our own thoughts all the while.

Second, we prefer to tell our story rather than listen to someone else’s.

OK, maybe not you reading this post here, of course, but most of the people do. Why?

Simply because when I’m telling my story I’m more involved, I recreate the events, which makes me also re-experience some of the feelings, which, in turn, makes me so involved in the story. When another person tells us their story, it’s more difficult to get involved, we’re strangers to that story and it takes time to get a grip of what it is about.

And unless the story teller makes it engaging (but that’s another story!), we find ourselves thinking ‘shopping lists’ all over again.

The ‘shopping list’ is your metaphor for everything else you’re thinking about: ‘what am I going to respond to what they’ve just said now (which is already what they just said a while ago, because I don’t know what they’re saying now anymore, as I’m thinking about what I am going to say)’; piles of work, night out with friends, ‘things I need to start doing right after reading this article’… you get the picture.

Third, we’re human.

Leaders or not, we can only focus for a little while, because we cannot help but pay attention to everything that’s going on around us. Wait, what?

Yes, focus is the opposite of attention. Focus requires a lot of effort and us pushing every distraction aside. Focus happens especially when we’re in flow, ‘in the zone’, because that’s when we’re engaged, involved, motivated.

Focus means I don’t pay attention. Wait, what??

Focus means I zoom in to you while you’re speaking, without paying attention to who comes in the room, to what happens in my mind, to the building shaking because there’s an earthquake.

But, as I said, we can only focus for a while, and under these specific circumstances of involvement and motivation. And we already decided, we love our own stories more than other people’s stories. Which is why they don’t keep us motivated and engaged enough for us to get into that state of focus.

So, what can we do to be better listeners?

It’s something we already do, just not all the time and maybe without being aware of it.

Think about someone you care about, telling you they got the job they wanted.

First, hear their voice and how they say it. They are usually enthusiastic, and enthusiasm is catching.

When we respond, we do it without thinking about our shopping list. When we hear ‘hey, I got that job’ we naturally go ‘wow, I’m so happy for you’.

We match their state of mind, because we care.

Caring makes us focus on what they are saying.

When I care about your story, I am there, with you, in your story.

I bring my story there, because I can relate to yours now. And that’s how we can build a combined story – the story of ‘how you got that job and how we celebrated together’. Because when I care, I can focus, and that’s what makes me capable to understand: what you’re saying and also a bit of how you’re feeling.

So now that I’m focused, I am interested, and the next thing I know is I’m asking you for more details: what will you be doing, when do you start, do they train you, how much do they pay you (ok, maybe not that, we leave that for the shopping list).

It’s a natural reaction for us, to ask questions when we listen. I mean, when we truly listen. And often we forget that listening is a verb, not a noun, that it’s an action, and it’s very much active.

It’s not that I don’t have to do anything and ‘just listen’. On the contrary, there’s a lot of things I do that tell you I’m listening.

Think about it: when we care and focus and truly listen, what do we do, apart from nodding and humming: we ask questions, we go back to make sure we didn’t misunderstand, we ask for clarifications, we summarize, we investigate further, we ask for the next steps.

It goes all the way back when, as children, someone was reading a story to us and, because we were captivated by it, we wanted to know more, hear more, see more.

Or maybe more recently when, at some point in our lives, we asked the question: ‘so let me get this straight, are you dumping me?’. That’s one piece of active listening! And all because I cared.

So there, we already listen properly, when we care.

Start with the heart and zoom in on the mind

The ‘recipe’ I am proposing is: start with the heart and zoom in on the mind (you add your own ingredients, in the quantities that work for you).

Care. Focus. Understand.

When I care, I will instantly focus, and when I focus, I will be able to hear what you’re saying and truly understand you.

I will nod and hum, and I will also ask questions, summarize, clarify, agree next steps, maybe even take notes and make sure you get them, too.

Once I listen to understand, I build the foundation for a long-term relationship.

At the end of the day, ‘shopping lists’ aside, we all crave to be:

1. heard

2. understood

3. valued (or, even better, loved).

And then, once we’ve truly listened, we get a ‘that’s exactly what I meant’, or ‘thanks for listening to me’, or ‘nobody else asked me that, thank you for checking’.

That’s the magic moment when you’ve opened-up a whole new world to a healthy relationship with the people in your team.

That’s when you, as the leader, having the vision and having listened to people, can start planning your journey together, because you know you are all in it wholeheartedly.

Because when somebody listens to me and understands me, I feel I matter. Don’t you?

So,

If you’re further interested in building your listening skills as a leader, you may also want to watch and learn:

Free Q&A Series for People Who Lead People and Teams: https://allpersonallearning.thinkific.com/courses/QA-series-for-dream-bosses-dream-teams

Listening Skills to Help You Boost Team Work and Manage Conflict: https://allpersonallearning.thinkific.com/courses/listening-skills-to-help-you-boost-team-work-and-manage-conflict

Emotional Intelligence for Game-Changing Leaders: https://allpersonallearning.thinkific.com/courses/emotionalintelligenceforgamechangingleaders

If you haven’t read PART 1 you can do that here.

11 Ways to Battle the Physical Effects of Stress with a Simple Beauty Regimen

Dejan
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11 Ways to Battle the Physical Effects of Stress with a Simple Beauty Regimen

The effects of stress show up on your physical appearance, from dark under the eye circles to weight gain. Read on to see the simple beauty regimen that can bring back your glow.

Stress is an inevitable part of life, especially in adulthood. But what you can avoid is its physical effects.

Stress changes your body on the inside and out.

It often starts with the telltale eye bags, then affects the rest of your body, causing noticeable changes in your physical appearance.

Treatments with long term benefits are the best cure for stress. But it won’t hurt to combine them with short term treatments, too.

Since stress diminishes your beauty, a beauty regimen will also be essential in your treatment. Thankfully, a stress relieving beauty regimen doesn’t break the bank. Here are 11 ways and 3 routines to battle the physical effects that stress has on you.

11 Ways to Battle the Physical Effects of Stress:

battle-the-physical-effects-of-stress

Hair Care Routine

The health effects of stress can lead to permanent hair loss. If your locks are beginning to fall, try these natural remedies:

1. Scalp Massage.

Massaging your scalp can stimulate hair regrowth, not to mention relieve tension.

Take time to massage your scalp every day, especially when you feel a headache coming.

Massage your scalp in the shower, too. Be careful not to tug on your locks to avoid breakage and hair fall.

2. Anti Hair loss Shampoo.

Go for an organic shampoo for hair loss.

They’re gentler on your scalp and hair compared to shampoos with chemical ingredients.

Organic shampoos contain the natural ingredients your stressed hair needs, such as argan oil. Argan oil has phenols that stimulate the scalp, promoting hair regrowth.

Pair it with an argan oil leave in conditioner or any other hair loss treatment, and you’d get the best results.

3. Ginseng Supplement.

Taking a ginseng supplement can stimulate your hair follicles, thereby leading to faster regrowth.

However, consult your physician or do extensive research beforehand.

Ginseng might have side effects, so it’s important to determine if your body can handle it.

4. Fresh Lemon Juice.

Before washing your hair, try applying fresh lemon juice to your scalp and tresses.

Let it sit for about 15 minutes before shampooing.

Lemon juice is packed with vitamins that can encourage hair growth. It can also leave your hair with a pleasant, citrusy scent.

Skincare Routine

Stress symptoms include breakouts and possibly eczema if you have dry skin.

Your body’s excessive release of cortisol can also decrease your collagen and elastin supply, leading to premature aging.

Start this skincare routine to bring back your youth and glow:

5. Get Enough Sleep.

A healthy skincare routine isn’t composed of products alone.

Sleep is also a critical part of it.

Getting the recommended hours of sleep for your age is essential in supporting your skin’s cell regeneration.

It also rests your mind, allowing you to start your day feeling rejuvenated.

Find it a challenge to sleep at night? Start a bedtime routine to unwind and prepare yourself for sleep.

For example, you could turn off your gadgets, change into your most comfortable PJs, and enjoy a cup of soothing sleep tonic or hot milk to relax your mind and body. Having a bedtime routine will signal your mind and body that it’s time to sleep.

6. Improve Your Gut Health.

Your pimples can say something about your gut health.

So consume probiotics, fiber rich food, and antioxidants to boost your gut health.

Your skin will reflect the positive change.

7. Take Anti stress Supplements.

Look for supplements that include stress relief herbs such as ashwagandha, ginseng, rhodiola, and bacopa.

Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) and schisanda supplements can work, too.

These ingredients can encourage dopamine production, improving your mood and, consequently, your skin.

8. Anti stress Skincare Products.

There are skincare products in the market that specifically targets issues caused by stress.

Look for products that fit your budget, but not without researching the ingredients first.

Vitamins, peptides, and omega 3 acids are a few must have ingredients.

Ensure that the products are right for your skin type, too; if you have dry skin, choose hydrating products.

Skin hydration is also necessary for oily skin, but make sure that it won’t leave your skin sticky or greasy.

Fitness Routine

Overeating is also a common symptom of stress. While indulging in your comfort foods can have mood-boosting effects, it can lead to unhealthy weight gain, which can stress you out even more.

You don’t need to be skinny to relieve your stress. You need to be healthy and confident in your size and shape.

Strength and stamina are also essential because they let you enjoy physical activities more. And physical activity can release happy hormones that relieve stress.

Consider these exercises to get back in your pre stress figure:

9. Brisk Walking.

Taking a 10 minute brisk walk around your neighborhood can make a big difference in your body and mental health.

But to maximize its benefits, stretch your walks up to 45 minutes or longer.

10. Jogging or Running.

If your joints are well conditioned, pick up your pace by jogging or running. It will enhance the calming effects of a brisk walk.

11. Dancing.

Dancing is fun, especially when no one’s watching.

It doesn’t require a specific routine or choreography to yield benefits.

Just dance whenever you feel like it, either alone or socially, and the liberation you’d feel can decrease your stress induced anxiety.

A beauty regimen is essential for stress relief because looking good can already improve your mood. And the more confident you are with your looks, your mental health will boost. Don’t underestimate the power of beauty, it is your armor and pride.

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