Welcome to Kenze's blog

Deep!!

Disagreements are normal, healthy parts of life. We experience disagreements when our thoughts and feelings don’t align with the other person’s point of view. But disagreeing with our friends, coworkers and family members can actually be good for us! Clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis, Ph.D. talked about what he calls the eighty-five percent rule . He suggests that in life, roughly eighty-five percent of the people we meet will like us.  This means that not everyone we interact with is going to agree with us, and that is more than alright. When disagreements do come up, we can use these four guidelines to help us make our case: 1. Never speak from anger. If an argument gets us hot under the collar it is imperative that we stop right there and take a step back.  Anger might be justified but it’s counterproductive. Research has found that when we speak from anger we aren’t able to see the scope of the situation, or express our needs clearly, so let...

We’ve all been asked the question: What are your strengths? If it catches you off guard, then it's time to take personal inventory. Your strengths are the foundation of your success. It's important to know which qualities make you stand out. Not only is being aware of your strengths positive for an employer, it also works in your favor. The more hours per day adults believe they use their strengths, reports Gallup, the more likely they are to note having ample energy, feeling well-rested, being happy, smiling or laughing a lot, learning something interesting and being treated with respect. In short, utilizing our strenghts make just about everything better. If you're unsure how to start unlocking your strengths, follow these four tips. 1. What Makes You You? Think about your personal and professional experiences. How have you dealt with high-pressure situations? You’re bound to think of at least three strengths. Not only will you be able to articulate your strengths, yo...

The art of pitching is not just reserved for entrepreneurs or sales representatives; it’s also an invaluable skill for young professionals in any field. A pitch can make or break a deal. Let's say you walk into a packed room filled with other talented, career-focused individuals, and there's a well-known executive, influencer or investor you've wanted to connect with present at the event. You make your way over to said person and, after waiting for several minutes, have a chance to chat with him or her. It's clear you only have a few seconds to woo this person with your words. This is where a strong pitch can make or break your interaction. To be able to explain an idea or introduce yourself in 30 seconds or less shows that you’re articulate and have a great grasp of what you bring to the table. So, how do you put together a winning pitch? Here, we outline several tips. 1. Know Your Product Pitch preparation starts well before you enter into a room. Whether pitching...

It has been said that if you judge people, you have no time to love them. Let’s put ourselves in another’s shoes before uttering even one word to critique, to harm or to judge. Judgement courts disconnection and separation while empathy welcomes love.  How often have we felt judged or misunderstood? Every one of us walks through life carrying on as best we can; we tell ourselves that the world does not stop for our pain or problems. Every day, in hundreds of ways, each of us put on our own protective masks in order to manage life.   We bury our fears, hurt and disappointments and should not forget that others do the same.  Those that judge us cannot know the depth of what is kept inside, and those whom we question may need the gift of our own compassion and grace. As we seek to understand another’s motivations and concerns we make room in our own lives for growth; our living example of empathy promotes more peaceful relationships and interactio...