Negotiation Guide How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Negotiation Guide How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert - Introvert Whisperer Negotiation Guide: How to Ask For a Raise as an Introvert Having the ability to be assertive with people who can have a great impact on your career is an important skill. After all, your professional success depends on the capability to get what you deserve. Knowing how to ask for a raise is one of the skills that will help you get what you want and how you communicate with people can be of great help along the way. But did you know that almost 60 percent of Americans report being too afraid to ask for a pay raise? Asking for more money is intimidating for everyone because people don’t know whether they’ll get what they want. They are afraid of seeming too pushy or even losing their job. For introverts, this fear is even bigger as they are naturally quiet and often uncomfortable with the idea of promoting their own achievements. The biggest problem with being too shy to speak up when you think you deserve more is that you often get passed over for opportunities. A lot of introverts stay silent until their fear of missing out on the opportunities becomes bigger than the fear of speaking up. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for that moment. Here are a few things you can do to lower anxiety when negotiating with your manager. Highlight your achievements Introverts find it particularly difficult to recognize their own achievements, especially among those who are louder and more confident. It’s also easy for introverts to get lost in group thinking where their work and ideas become everybody else’s. But when it comes to asking for a raise, it’s important to know what you have done to deserve a raise. The trick is to let the data show your accomplishments. Instead of letting your emotions lead you, try focusing on the facts and give specific examples of when you have gone above and beyond your official role in the company. Prepare yourself to discuss all the times your performance has positively affected the company. While recognizing your contributions can be awkward, it’s worth making a list. Focus only on your own accomplishments and don’t compare to others. That includes resisting the urge to say how unfair it is that your colleagues make more than you. Asking for a raise is all about how much you contribute and not about judging other people. Practice your speech   Introverts tend to let the more dominant people in the room take control of the conversation. That’s why you should know exactly what you are seeking from the management before the meeting even starts. Whatever you do, resist the impulse to accept whatever they offer you just to escape the uncomfortable conversation. Amy Cuddy, an associate professor of business administration at Harvard and a social psychologist, says that by assuming powerful physical positions, you can feel more powerful too. In her TED Talk “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are,” Amy advises that you stand tall, puff your chest and make yourself look physically powerful. So don’t forget to practice your body language while practicing your speech. Keep it simple   You might feel tempted to start your sentences with something like “I know this seems a bit out of line” just because you are nervous, but the more you apologize for no reason, the more unprofessional you look. Do your research beforehand and show why you are not out of line. Have other people received raises after working at the company the same amount of time you have? Do you know what the appropriate salary range for your position is? Keep in mind that many factors can affect pay, such as your education, experience but also the company location and size. Once you consider all these factors, sit down with your boss, look him or her in the eye and ask for a raise in a few concise and convincing sentences. Make relationships through active listening   Your boss is not the only person you need to convince when it comes to negotiating a raise at work. You also need the support from your colleagues, which means you need to make allies across the company, not just in the management. Often it’s people from different departments that decide the fate of your career, so it’s very important how you build relationships. But making new connections can be intimidating for introverts. Luckily, many introverts have the ability to “actively listen” by asking others questions about themselves. The more you can use this skill, the more you can show how much you care about your colleagues. You also get to know them better which improves the chances that those who are a part of the decision-making process are on your side. Remember that it’s not weird   Your boss knows that it’s part of his or her job to deal with employees asking for a raise or promotion. As long as you request a meeting and maintain a professional tone, your manager will be happy to have a conversation about whatever you might need. Do your homework, prepare your numbers and speech and overcome your fear of sounding too pushy or even greedy. It’s time you get what you deserve. Writer: Tamara Luzajic https://sr.gravatar.com/tamaraluzajic Web content writer and editor, currently working as a copywriter at Humanity, employee scheduling and workforce management software. Go to top NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Add Flavor to Your Playing With These 7 Guitar Chords

Add Flavor to Your Playing With These 7 Guitar Chords The Major 7 Chord (maj7) Sign up successful Here is the chord progression I-IV-I-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Cmaj7 â€" Fmaj7 â€" Cmaj7 â€" G7 â€" Cmaj7 Key of G: Gmaj7 â€" Cmaj7 â€" Gmaj7 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj7 Key of D: Dmaj7 â€" Gmaj7 â€" Dmaj7 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj7 Key of A: Amaj7 â€" Dmaj7 â€" Amaj7 â€" E7 â€" Amaj7 Notice that the V chord is a dominant 7 chord not a maj7 (i.e. G7 not Gmaj7.) The Add 9 Chord (add9) The add 9 chord, like the major 6 can be used to replace most major chords. Here are some examples of open position add 9 chords. The D chord in this example is actually a D2 chord because it is missing the 3rd of the chord, but it can function in the same way.   Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works. Key of C: C(add9) â€" F(add9) â€" G(add9) â€" C(add9) Key of G: G(add9) â€" C(add9) â€" D7 â€" G(add9) Key of D: D2 â€" G(add9) â€" A(add9) â€" D2 Key of A: A(add9) â€" D2 â€" E(add9) â€" A(add9) The Major 9 Chord (maj9) The major 9 chord is almost identical to the add 9 chord except we have both the 7th and 9th in the chord.   Here are some examples of open position major 9 chords. Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works.   I have mixed major 7 and major 9 chords so you can practice both. Key of C: Cmaj9 â€" Fmaj7 â€" G(add9) â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Gmaj9 â€" Cmaj7 â€" D2 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Dmaj9 â€" Gmaj7 â€" A(add9) â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: Amaj9 â€" Dmaj7 â€" E(add9) â€" Amaj9 The Major 6 Chord (6) The major 6 chord can be used to replace almost any major chord.   Here are the six most common open position major 6 chords. Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: C6 â€" F6 â€" G6 â€" C6 Key of G: G6 â€" C6 â€" D6 â€" G6 Key of D: D6 â€" G6 â€" A6 â€" D6 Key of A: A6 â€" D6 â€" E6 â€" A6 You may want to compare this to the sound of the same progression using the major 9 chords above.   Also, if you replace the V chord with a V7 chord you will find the progression has a stronger pull back to I. The Minor 7 Chord (m7) The minor 7 chord can be used to replace most minor chords.   As an added benefit, the minor 7 built off from the ii chord can also be used to replace the IV chord.   Here are five open position minor 7 chords. Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am7 â€" Dm7 â€" G7 â€" Cmaj7 Key of G: Em7 â€" Am7 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj7 Key of D: Bm7 â€" Em7 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj7 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm7 â€" E7 Amaj7 The Minor 9 Chord (m9) The minor 9 chord can be used to replace the ii chord or vi chord in major keys.   Here are some examples of open position minor 9 chords. Note: the Dm(add9) is not a true minor 9 chord because it is missing the 3rd of the chord and is therefore a little less dissonant, but it will function in the same way.   Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am9 â€" Dm(add9) â€" G7 â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Em9 â€" Am9 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Bm9 â€" Em9 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm9 â€" E7 Amaj9 The Dominant 9 Chord (V9) The dominant 9 chord can be used to replace a V chord.   Here are some examples of open position dominant 9 chords. Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am9 â€" Dm(add9) â€" G9 â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Em9 â€" Am9 â€" D9 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Bm9 â€" Em9 â€" A9 â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm9 â€" E9 Amaj9 I hope this introduction into some common open position jazz guitar chords has sparked your interest in the beauty and variety available in these chords.   By using your capo you can take these chords and extend them into any key.   Or you may wish to study the moveable versions of each of these chords so you can use them in higher positions on the guitar.   Keep practicing and you will have mastered a whole new universe of chords, sounds and styles. Looking for one-on-one instruction? Whether youre a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist there is always more to learn, and a great teacher can help guide you to the next level in your playing.  Search for a guitar teacher today! Jerry W. teaches classical guitar, composition, trombone and  trumpet  in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from  Cornerstone University and went on to receive both his Masters and PhD in Music Composition from  Michigan State University.  Jerry has been making music and teaching students for over thirty years.    Learn more about Jerry W. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Tom Marcello

Guitar Tips Tricks Our Best Advice from 2012

Guitar Tips Tricks Our Best Advice from 2012 Suzy S. This week were rounding up best of the best! If you missed some of our guitar tips and tricks from the past year, dont worry. Check out the most popular posts from 2012 here 5 Things That Challenge Even the Best Guitar Newbies Practice Tips: Exercises and Guitars for Small Hands Learn to Play 20 Songs Using 5 Easy Chords 4 Essential Guitar Chord Progressions for Beginners 5 Common Mistakes of Beginner Guitarists 5 Ways to Practice Without Your Guitar 10 Quick Guitar Exercises for the Busy Musician 4 Things You May Be Doing Wrong at Gigs 5 Guitar Gadgets That Will Change Your Life 5 Killer Tips for Mastering   Guitar Chords Photo by BrianYuen Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

6 Things I can do when Im bored at Work - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 6 Things I can do when I’m bored at Work - Introvert Whisperer 6 Things I can do when I’m bored at Work It’s one thing to be in a job that moves fast and has a certain amount of stress but when you’re bored at work that is something else entirely.  A boring job means that you don’t have enough mental stimulation to keep you and your mind active.      The days drag on forever and eventually, you feel like you’re going nowhere.  What do you do when your work has become too routine making it boring, uninteresting and something you dread going to? There are some things you can do to kick it up a notch and get reignited by what you do each day â€" but more than likely you’re going to have to be the one to make that happen.  Here are some tips for turning boring into brilliant: Improve things.  In most businesses, many things can stand to be improved.  Improvement can mean anything from a more efficient and faster way of getting something done all the way to automating something that was done manually.  Pick out a couple of things that could stand to be done better and be the champion for improvement. Change your routine.  Certainly, there may be some tasks that have to be completed at a certain time but many things can shift based on your own schedule.  Figure out a different timing.  Look to see if you could do certain things once a week versus daily and if not weekly then at a different frequency. Ask to do more.  Chances are if you’re bored, you don’t have enough to keep you working all day.  Look around to see if someone needs to offload their work to lighten the load or look for something that might be neglected that you could do. Learn new things.  There are functions in your business you may know little about.  Take it upon yourself to go learn what those functions are.  In the process, you may pick up a new skill or be positioned to take on some new activities.  You might also look into taking a class to learn new skills that would be useful in your company. Trade jobs.  You might work in an area where each person has a related position and work to do.  Check out these other jobs and suggest to a peer that you might trade jobs for a quarter simply to give the work you do a fresh set of eyes.  You will most likely need to run this by the boss but if you work out the details, it makes agreement easier to get to.  No matter how similar your jobs are, they will still be different enough to give you some mental stimulation.  Who knows, you might find it really interesting? Go the extra mile.  I’ve seen employees be bored and they can easily become lazy.  Don’t let that be you.  Anytime you are asked to do something, see what else you can do to help the person that asked.  Add value beyond the request.  This way you won’t slip into laziness and you will find trying to figure out how to go above and beyond almost like a game. You can’t rely on the boss to turn boring into anything better.  You have to do it for yourself.  You know your work better than anyone else and because you do, you can turn that boring job into interesting.  The bonus to your effort is that people who take initiative are usually rewarded. Want the fast track to your next promotion? I’ve developed a new, live training that begins in April called: “Lead Like You Mean It” Leadership Development Program.  You owe it to yourself to check this out now: https://introvertwhisperer.leadpages.co/leadlikeyoumeanitpilot/

Kissing Strangers - Listening Exercise

Kissing Strangers - Listening Exercise I watched this video and it made me smile, so I thought I should share it with our students. The kissers have a lot of interesting questions due to the awkwardness of the situation, so it makes a good English  listening exercise.It also is an interesting study in human intimacy.Try the listening exercise and the writing, enjoy!)1. Do we ________ do this anytime? 2. Can you ____ __ the lights? 3. Shall we ____ ___? 4. Since your an actor, _______ ____ this before? 5. What was your name, _______? 6. Are we good to ____? 7. Nice to ____ you. Yes, a _____. 8. _____ we make-out more?Writing Exercise: Would you ever do this experiment? Why or why not? Does it feel different because it is actually a commercial? How do you feel about the relationships between the kissers before and after their kisses? What do you think has changed?

Hackschooling and LOI English

Hackschooling and LOI English What do you want to be when you grow up? Is this is a common question in your country? What do you think the term hackschooling means? Do you think happiness and health are part of your countrys goals for education? Does homeschooling, unschooling, or hackschooling exist in your country?LOI Englishs classes are a perfect tool for the hackschooling movement (our  Spanish classes are too). We allow  people to access high quality education without the normal boundaries of place and time, and all students get to move at their own pace.The video below is a very popular TED talk about hackschooling, given by a 12-year-old who is taking an unusual approach to his own education, with help from his parents. Watch the video and see if you can answer the questions.Answer the questions in comments and well respond.What answers do adults hope for when they ask, What do you want to be when you grow up?What is the best answer to this question?Education is important but why is being ______ and _____ __ not considered a part of education?What kind of scientist is Dr. Roger Walsh?What was the most popular TED talk of all time? Here is  link to it on our website.It _____ a lot of people _____.The above phrasal verb means: a. To be excited about something. b. To be scared about something.What does he think being a hacker means?Why does he call his education hackschooling?What are the priorities for his education?After listening to the talk do you think that he is getting the education he needs? Would you allow your children to do hackschooling. What would the challenges of this type of education be in your country? Would you be able to get into university?

Music is Everybodys Business

Music is Everybodys Business Music is everybodys business. Its only the publishers who think people own it John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon was an English singer and songwriter, known worldwide as one of the founding members of The Beatles.Born and raised in Liverpool, Lennon formed his first band The Quarrymen being only a teenager, has been transformed into The Beatles in 1960. Lennon is an image of a rebel and a fighter for peace. All his labor is thoroughly imbued with subtle sarcasm and caustic wit. Sales of Lennons album only in the United States jumped over 14 million units, and as performer, writer, or co-writer he is responsible for 27 number one singles on the US Hot 100 chart. In 2002, a BBC poll voted him eighth among the 100 Greatest Britons, and in 2008 Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth greatest singer of all time. In 1987 he was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.