Amazon

Cultivate the Skill That Will Set You Apart: Charisma

(ARA) – You speak well, dress professionally, have impressive experience and can clearly communicate complex information in speech and writing. But thousands of other professionals and job-seekers possess the same qualities. So what sets the movers and shakers apart from the masses? Could it be charisma?

Many people can’t quite put their finger on that exact quality that makes certain professionals more desirable to prospective employers and many people believe charisma simply can’t be taught.

Not so, says Kurt Mortensen, a leading authority on persuasion, motivation and influence. It is possible for virtually anyone to develop a compelling presence. “Charisma is the ability to empower and persuade others to believe in you, trust in you and want to be influenced by you. If there is just one skill to master out of all the tools of persuasion and influence, it is charisma,” Mortensen explains. “It gives you the quickest return on your time and dramatically increases your success and income.”

It is possible to cultivate charisma, adding charm and the power to persuade to your repertoire of professional skills. Mortensen says that in order to develop charisma, you must hone 30 specific skills, traits and attributes. In his new book, “The Laws of Charisma,” Mortensen offers some advice for developing your personal charisma. Here is his insight into seven charismatic qualities and how you can develop them:

Find your passion
“Passion is critical to influencing others and transmitting charisma,” Mortensen says. “Charismatic people radiate heartfelt passion.” Exploring new tasks, topics and social or professional interactions will help you discover what you’re passionate about – and what doesn’t move you. Educating yourself about a particular topic, task or issue is a great way to increase your passion for it.

Know your purpose
When you find your purpose, your life will be easier and more enjoyable, Mortensen says. Ask yourself: “What is my destiny? Where do my interests, gifts and talents lie? What is my mission in life?” People with a purpose ooze charisma and naturally draw others to them. Their purpose inspires others.

Live with integrity
Integrity is consistency between your professed values and your actions. To enhance your charisma and influence others, you must radiate integrity. What do you really believe in? And what are you willing to stand up for?

Tap your creativity
Creativity is the ability to solve a problem by combining old ideas, new ideas and imagination. Tapping your creativity, or inspiring those around you to feel more creative, opens the door to new solutions – and enhances your charisma.

Establish focus
The ability to control impulses, resist distraction and stay focused on the task at hand is an integral element of success. You cannot influence others if you can’t stay focused. Ask yourself: What is the best use of my time right now? Am I wasting time on unimportant things? Do I confuse being busy with getting things done? Am I clear about exactly what I need to achieve?

Listen
“Listening and understanding enhance charisma,” Mortensen writes in “The Laws of Charisma.” When you listen well, you discover everything you need to know to help, change or influence, inspire, motivate and gain trust. “People feel more respected and valued when you listen to what they have to say,” he writes.

Motivate
Charismatic people not only motivate others, they help others motivate themselves, aiding them in visualizing goals and inspiring them to feel they can achieve those goals. Helping others self-motivate allows them to solve their own challenges and make their own decisions, while still feeling part of a larger team.

To nurture your personal charisma, you will need to practice every day, says Mortensen, whose new book is available now in bookstores and online. “I was once stretching in preparation for running a half marathon when I saw a T-shirt that revealed a great truth. It said, ‘The challenge is not finishing; the challenge is starting.’ Make up your mind to start the race, and you will know that you are moving toward your goal of finishing.”

Free Music Downloads from Amazon.com

Oct 17th, 2009

by Marilyn.

2 comments

Amazon has free music downloads on their site. Here are a few classical music albums . . .

The Best Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe

I Love the 80s, Vol. 1 (1880s)

If you find more free music at Amazon, add the link in your comment.

Marilyn Kvasnok

Top 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking

Mar 5th, 2009

by Marilyn.

6 comments

Smoking – It’s one subject that conjurs up very strong feelings. Smokers believe they have a right to smoke. And non-smokers believe they have a right to smoke-free air. The non-smokers are winning, but it hasn’t been easy. Today, not only are public buildings smoke-free, there’s a no smoking ban around the perimeter of those buildings.

I can finally enjoy a meal at a smoke-free restaurant. When the hostess used to ask “smoking or non?” I would always answer “A non-smoking section in a restaurant is like a no-pee zone in a pool.” If I walked into a restaurant and smelled cigarette smoke, I would leave – But not before telling the hostess or manager why.

And now, I’m seeing signs outside public buildings warning that there’s no smoking around the building. I no longer have to walk thru a cloud of smoke to enter a medical building. And who was outside smoking? All the employees, of course!

So, what’s a non-smoking advocate to do? Speak up! Ban together and educate everyone I can about the dangers of smoking. I found another non-smoking advocate.

Joseph P. Weaver is the winner of the 2002 American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-out Award, for leadership in building a smoke-free environment in New York City. A former neuroscience researcher, Joe has studied yoga, reflexology, herbology, and meditation in Nepal and around the world, and has helped thousands of people quit smoking.

In his book, The Tao of Quitting Smoking, Mr. Weaver lists 100 Reasons to Quit Smoking. Here are my favorite Top 10, taken from his list:

Because you can! (#1)
Quitting decreases the overall risk of death (all causes combined) by 50 percent in fifteen years as compared to continuing smokers. (#2)
Toxic tobacco smoke, a.k.a. secondhand smoke, harms others. (#26)
Nicotine—a poisonous, addictive, drug, has been linked to cancer. (#34)
You won’t feel like a leper in public. More than 70 percent of people don’t smoke. (#49)
You will be a winner because you finally took control of your addiction. (#58)
Because you know that you want to quit. (#69)
Children tend to imitate their parents. (#84)
Not socially acceptable anymore. (#87)
Quit for yourself. (#100)

So, is there life after cigarettes? You bet! You’ll feel better, breathe better, look better, smell better and enjoy what you eat. And everyone around you will love you for taking control of your life.

Links:
Are You Still Smoking?
The Long Term Health Effects of Smoking Tobacco
The Smoker’s Body (Warning: It’s gross)
Quit Smoking Resources
Where There’s Smoke . . .

Marilyn Kvasnok

What Does It Mean To Be Green?

Aug 19th, 2008

by Marilyn.

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Kermit the Frog used to sing “It isn’t easy being green.” But, he was singing from a very personal viewpoint. Today, everyone is talking about being green. But, what does it mean. Probably, different things to different people.

For every product you use around the house, there’s a green substitute. I’m finding products that work as well – or better – than my old Clorox, Pinesol and Tide. Every time I find a non-toxic cleaner, I take another step toward “living green.” I’m not only feeling better about doing the right thing for my family and the planet, I’m really feeling better! I didn’t even realize how those old cleaners were affecting me – itchy, stuffed up, sneezing and sometimes worse. And who knows what the long term effects will be? I’m no longer willing to be part of that test group.

Green Goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett is a common sense approach to making these changes.

Sloan is a Today Show contributor, the Green Editor for KNTV in San Francisco, a wife and mother. When her young son was developing asthma, she found the cause to be the cleaners she was using. Watch the video below to hear Sloan’s story . . .

Marilyn Kvasnok