| How to Overcome Shyness at Work Posted: 25 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT Have you ever had a good idea at work but feel too nervous to bring it up? Being shy is completely normal, but it could close off some opportunities while you're on the job. Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do so you're more comfortable speaking up. We'll start with some easy ways to get more involved in conversations and move on to cover a few simple adjustments so you feel more confident while you're at work! [Edit]Greet your coworkers every day. - A quick hello shows your coworkers that you're friendly. You see your coworkers every day, so be sure to acknowledge them when you see them. Just say something like "Hello" or "Good morning" in a warm and cheery tone the first time you see them during the day. Not only does this help you speak up more, but it invites the other person into a conversation.[1]
[Edit]Look approachable while you're working. - Poor body language may make you seem closed off to conversations. Anytime you're working, straighten your posture, keep your head up, and relax your shoulders. Keep your arms and legs uncrossed so you look open and receptive. Flash a smile at your coworkers so you look friendlier and eager to chat with them.[2]
- Even when you're deep in focus at work, take a second to think about your posture and how you appear to other people.
[Edit]Make eye contact with your coworkers. - This helps you feel comfortable and connected when you talk to people. Whenever you're speaking to someone or listening to them speak, try to match their gaze to show you're focused on them. Since making eye contact makes you feel more involved in the conversation, it's a lot easier to speak up and break out of your shell.[3]
- Try to hold eye contact for about 60–70% of your interaction so you form a better bond.
- Be careful not to stare for too long since it could come across as too intense.
[Edit]Find common ground to bond over. - You're more likely to open up when you have the same interests. When you're with your coworkers, pay attention to the things that they talk about or have in their work area. Try asking them questions about their hobbies, interests, or the things they like the most. You're bound to have something in common that you're able to talk about when you're working together.[4]
- For example, if your coworker brings up soccer, you can ask them what their favorite team is or if they watched the most recent game.
[Edit]Write down your thoughts before meetings. - Get your ideas on paper so you know what to say. If you have a meeting coming up, look through the agenda to see what topics you're discussing. Come up with a few questions or ideas and jot them down so you don't forget them. When you have a chance to speak, try to bring up at least 1 of the points you listed.[5]
- Even if you don't say something out loud, you can always pass the ideas you wrote down to your supervisor to see if they want to incorporate them.
[Edit]Aim to say 1 thing during meetings. - Try to hit this goal so you can actively participate. Even though it may seem tough to speak out, start with a small goal so it's easy to track how you're doing. Whenever you're called into a meeting, look for something that adds value to the conversation and speak up. Even just a few quick statements show that you want to stay involved.[6] Try speaking slightly louder than the other people without shouting so they can hear your voice.[7]
- Jump on someone else's idea if you don't have your own. Chime in with something like, "That's a good idea," or "I was thinking of something similar."[8]
- Say something when it comes to your head so someone else doesn't get it out before you can. [9]
- If you're not fully confident in your ideas, think about how you can ask it as a question instead. For example, instead of saying, "We should market to younger customers," you could ask, "What do you think would happen if we started marketing towards our younger customers?"[10]
[Edit]Rehearse presentations beforehand. - Practice saying it out loud so it's less scary doing it for real. It's okay to feel a little nervous when you're presenting in front of your coworkers, but practice makes perfect. Go over the points you want to make out loud and run through them a couple of times so you get used to presenting. If you have time, ask a friend or coworker you feel comfortable around to listen to you so you get experience talking in front of someone else.[11]
- Try recording yourself and listen to see if there are still places you need to work on more.
[Edit]Socialize at company events and happy hours. - Give yourself a chance to relax and bond more with your coworkers. A lot of companies plan events like parties, luncheons, picnics, or even getting drinks at the end of a shift. If you're invited out to an event, make it a point to go even if it's out of your comfort zone. Spend some time with the coworkers that you want to know the most so you can chat with them and unwind.[12]
- See if anyone plays intramural sports or hosts a weekly game night with coworkers that you can attend as well.
[Edit]Boost confidence with positive self-talk. - Feeling good about yourself makes it easier to speak up. Give yourself a few minutes every day to talk yourself up and feel more comfortable. Repeat a few affirmations, say things you like about yourself, and focus on having a positive mindset. While it may feel a little awkward at first, you'll feel a lot more confident when you actually need to speak up [13]
- For example, you could say something like, "I have good ideas," or, "My coworkers want to hear what I have to bring to the table."
[Edit]Build off of your other strengths. - You'll realize how much you have to offer even if you're shy. Write down all of the other work duties that you excel at and show off your skills. List what you value about your job and your work ethic as well so you see all the positive things you bring to the table. When you need to speak up, shift the conversation so it relates to what you're good at.[14]
- For example, if you have strong communication with clients, you might spend your time during meetings focusing on customer relationships rather than budgets.
[Edit]Look for a mentor. - A mentor can teach and encourage you to break out of your shell. If there's someone at work you admire for their outspokenness and drive, reach out to them and ask them for help. Your mentor can give you some tips that have worked for them so you have an easier time speaking up. Follow your mentor's advice and actively work with them until you feel like more confident.[15]
- For example, a mentor could be a senior employee or your supervisor.
- It's nerve-wracking when you misspeak or make a mistake, but try to focus on what you can learn from it instead. For example, if you got a negative response from something you said, then avoid bringing the topic up again.[16]
[Edit]References |
| How to Run a Shopify Store Posted: 25 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT Shopify is a great way to bring your small business idea to life. However, this platform can be a bit daunting, especially if you don't have a lot of e-commerce experience. Not to worry—we've outlined all your burning questions so you can put your best foot forward in your new business venture. [Edit]How much does it cost to run a Shopify store? - A basic account costs $29 a month. This gives you essential features, like unlimited product listings, 2 staff accounts, and constant support from the Shopify team. For extra features, you can set up a standard Shopify account, which is $79 a month, or an advanced account, which is $299 per month.[1]
- Standard and advanced accounts give you extra features, and help you manage a bigger business.
[Edit]Is starting a Shopify store worth it? - It can be if you put in the work. Running a successful Shopify store involves a lot of planning and research, both before and after your shop launches. If you're in it for the long haul, a Shopify store could be a worthy investment. However, it might not be a great option if you're looking for some quick cash.[2]
[Edit]How do I run a successful Shopify store? - Do the necessary groundwork before you launch. Take as much time as you need to develop your website. Also, market your store with paid campaigns and search engine optimization (SEO).[3]
- Create a social media presence. Social media is a great way to market yourself and network with potential customers. Along with your regular Shopify store, create profiles on popular sites, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.[4]
- Put the customer first. Create a shopping environment that really appeals to potential customers, like reasonable prices and free shipping. Make their shopping experience even better with a mobile site that's easy to navigate.[5]
[Edit]How can my store make a lot of money? - Create a defined brand. Think about the kind of message you want to give customers, and how you can best communicate it. Narrow down a simple but sleek brand design, and revolve your entire business around this brand. A coherent brand identity can give you a loyal customer base, and allow you to raise the prices of your listings in the future.[6]
[Edit]Why do Shopify stores fail? - Your products don't fit the store's niche. A successful store requires a lot of research and insight, and really understanding what your potential customers are looking for. If your store sells products that don't meet the customers' needs, then your shop won't grow or succeed.[7]
- Your store isn't trustworthy. Simple issues like spelling errors, low-quality product pictures, and differing fonts can make your store look sketchy and fake. When customers see these issues, they may not trust or shop from your store.[8]
- Customers don't come back after making a purchase. Poor customer service and low customer satisfaction can really impact your store's success. If you don't respond to your customer's issues efficiently, your shop may pay the price.[9]
[Edit]Can you really make money dropshipping on Shopify? - You can, but it might take some time. Dropshipping is when a third-party handles and ships your products instead of you. Dropshipping can save you a lot of money and extra fees, but it also increases your potential competition. Since dropshipping is so economical, other sellers will sell similar products for low prices, making it hard to generate a real profit.[10]
[Edit]References |
| How to Avoid Miscommunication in Emails Posted: 25 Aug 2021 01:00 AM PDT If you've been working for a while, you probably know just how important emails are. Since there's no way to convey tone or body language over the internet, it's easy to misinterpret someone's message when you see it on a screen. Keep reading to learn how you can write emails that are clear, concise, and effective in a professional setting. [Edit]Write emails when you can focus. - If you're distracted, your email might not be as well put-together. When you have an email to write, try to sit down uninterrupted when you aren't thinking about a million other things. Your writing will be clearer and you'll be able to focus on your grammar, tone, and overall message.[1]
- This is especially important if your email is going out to multiple people.
- Write emails in a quiet room and put away your phone and other distractions.
[Edit]Set the tone with your first few words. - Your opening phrase can have a big impact. If you'd like your tone to be light and casual, open up with something like, "Hi Jessica! Hope you had a good weekend." If you want to keep it a little more professional, just say something like, "Hi David."[2]
- Try to avoid anything too stuffy, like "Dear Robert." It seems a little impersonal.
[Edit]Keep your emails short. - Long-winded messages tend to confuse your recipient. Try to be brief and concise, if possible. Keep your sentences short, and don't add too much detail—if you find yourself writing more than 1 or 2 paragraphs, you should probably give people the information over video chat or in person.[3]
- Try to get to the point quickly, and avoid writing a ton of pleasantries.
- People tend to read emails in short bursts. If you add too much information, chances are, some of it will get lost.
- Keep your emails brief, but try to avoid blunt sentences or one-word answers. Those can seem a little rude, especially over a computer screen.
[Edit]State what you need clearly. - If you are requesting something, make sure it's understandable. Don't beat around the bush—state what you need clearly and directly so there's no misunderstanding. If there's a timeline, be sure to include that as well. Be sure to keep your tone light, though. For instance:[4]
- "I need that monthly progress report in my inbox by Monday evening."
- "If you could get that team feedback form to me by the end of the week, that would be great."
[Edit]Organize your thoughts with paragraphs. - It will help people read the information easily. When you move onto a new subject, separate it with a new paragraph so your email is skimmable. It will help your reader scan the message quickly to find the parts that are most relevant to them.[5]
- Use words like "also," "next," and "lastly" to start off your paragraphs.
[Edit]Add a specific subject line. - Let people know what exactly the email is about. Make sure your subject is specific; for instance, instead of writing "Report," try something like, "Monthly planning report: June 2021." Your colleagues will be more likely to open it up and read it if they know it's important and relevant to them.[6]
- This also helps keep your emails out of the spam folder.
[Edit]Proofread for typos. - Mistakes can really throw off your message. While most spell-checkers will catch misspelled words, they won't be able to catch the wrong word choice or someone's misspelled name. You should also read through for missing punctuation or grammatical errors, since those can make the reader think you don't care. Spend 2 to 3 minutes reading your email before you send it to make sure there aren't any glaringly obvious errors.[7]
- In a professional setting, it's very important to spell someone's name correctly. Take a minute to double check that you have it right before you send it off to avoid any awkwardness in the future.
[Edit]Re-read your emails for tone. - Think about how your recipients will read your message. Something like, "Let's talk later," might seem innocent to you, but your colleague reading it might think they're in trouble or that you're angry. Change it to something like, "Do you have time to chat later about the upcoming changes in the report?" to be a little clearer.[8]
- Never use all caps in your emails! Writing a sentence in caps lock is usually seen as yelling at someone through a computer screen.
- Instead of something like, "Submit your changes by tomorrow morning." try something like, "Since the deadline is tomorrow afternoon, I'll need your changes by tomorrow morning. Let me know if that timeline works for you."
[Edit]Pause before replying to an inflammatory email. - If you get an email that makes you feel angry, take a second to breathe. Instead of crafting a cutting reply, count to 10 (or 1,000) until you feel calm. Then, re-read the email to see if it's actually insulting or not. Chances are, you may have misconstrued the message a bit, and it's not actually that bad.[9]
- If you still feel the need to craft an angry reply, wait for 24 hours before sending it. Then, revisit your reply after a day to see if you still want to send it or not.
[Edit]Give people the benefit of the doubt. - It's hard to convey a positive tone in an email. If you read something a colleague sent you and you're immediately offended, take a step back and re-read what they wrote. Try to ask yourself if there's any other way the tone can be interpreted—is this email actually rude, or are they just being blunt?[10]
- For instance, someone might write, "I need that report by tonight." At first glance, this seems a little cold and unemotional. However, it's not necessarily rude, it's just factual and brief.
- Emails are often seen as non-urgent. If you need an answer right away, try to talk to your colleague in-person or via video chat instead.[11]
[Edit]Warnings - Even though emojis and emoticons indicate tone, don't use them for a professional email.
- Don't send insulting or inflammatory emails, especially to a person you don't know very well.
[Edit]References |
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