The Sykes Group's OnPoint

“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” - Dorothy Nevill

Time and time again I hear people matter-of-factly use words or phrases that distract, detract, and deflate their message. Is it any wonder their message is misunderstood or not well received? When we choose to use verbal faux pas, instead of communicating clarity and confidence, we create confusion and mistrust.

The following is a list of the most common verbal faux pas to banish from your vocabulary:

• “Let me be honest with you”

(Common variations include “To tell you the truth,” and “To be frank with you.”)

Translation: Dishonest Communication. This phrase implies that, up to now, you’ve been deceitful or haven’t been completely honest-that, in some way, you’ve been holding back.

Powerful Choice: Avoid this verbal distraction, and you’ll keep your audience focused on your message.

• “Kinda,” “Sorta,” “Wanta”

(Example- “It’s kinda hard to share my feelings with her.”

Translation: Uncertainty. These words express your uncertainty and inability to communicate your thoughts. (“I know what I want to say, I just don’t know how to express it.”) When we communicate, we need to always ensure that we convey a clear message-don’t waste words.

Powerful Choice: Communicate clearly by not using these words. A stronger message is, “It is difficult for me to express my feelings to her because she interrupts me often.” This clearer message clearly and accurately conveys your thought. (Read the rest of the article at communication skills)

The following motivational video show cases how renown jazz pianist overcame the challenges in his life.  Justin doesn’t let his challenge get in the way as he achieves success in the jazz music world.

Please watch and be inspired!

‎”There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” - John F. Kennedy

Ten Action Steps to Motivate Yourself to Success in Life

By Ed Sykes

The following are ten motivation action steps you can take to motivate yourself in work, business, and life:

1. Positive Affirmations for Success - Our subconscious mind is a wonderful tool for success or failure. It will do what we tell it to do. It all depends on what thoughts we feed it. So why not feed your inner mind with only positive thoughts. The following are some examples of positive affirmations you can feed your inner mind for success:

• “Today, I will win because I have faith, courage and enthusiasm.”
• “I see failure only as a signpost on my road to success.”
• “When I feel stress, I will relax and release my stress before I take on my next task.”
• “I always write down my priorities, thinking of my responsibilities. I may not get everything done, but I will do the most productive thing possible at every given moment.”
• “I am a winner, I work for a winning organization, and because of my contribution and cooperation we will keep on winning.”
• “Today, I will see opportunity in every challenge offered to me.

Read the rest of the article at Motivate Yourself to Success.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. As we deck the halls and fill the malls, we’re filled with anticipation, joy, and excitement. The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a special time we choose to show our appreciation and share our love with the special people in our lives. However, with all of the joy the holidays bring, this still tends to be one of the most stressful times of the year. Why?

Could it be because it’s intoxicating to buy loved ones whatever their hearts desire – and we’re willing to rise in the dark of night to shop in the pre-dawn hours for the “gift of the year”? Ah, yes, the mad dash to the 5 a.m. sale where you’re guaranteed to be pushed, run over, stepped on, and after a long wait told “Sorry sold out;” only to then have the pleasure of standing in a check out line as long as the east coast. Hum. Do you ever question the sanity of a day like this in a life that seems to have so little time, and a world that’s filled with job insecurity, war, and economic ups and downs? If so, why do you still feel so torn? Could it be because we’ve allowed marketers, advertisers, manufacturers, and retailers to shape our outlook and convince us to buy into their vision of the perfect life? This life where you shop to create the perfect body, so you can be with the perfect partner, live in the perfect house, and drive the perfect car to the perfect job so we can afford the perfect lotions and potions to forever live the perfect life. Wake up and smell the perfect hype! The holidays are not about being manipulated into believing in some artificially created image that drives sales; it’s about your vision of giving and sharing the joy your choice to create.

Stress of the season happens when we fret about how our gift will be received. A disconnect exists when we fear if our gift is disliked, then somehow we too will be rejected and denied the friendship, affection or acceptance we so desire. Although intellectually, we know nothing could be further from the truth, we may still feel the need to explain away or apologize for our gifts of love. I say if you hold this to be your truth and also believe that the worth of your relationships is based on the monetary value of gifts exchanged, then I strongly urge you to re-examine and re-evaluate your relationships.

At a time when many feel compelled to spend more money (perhaps more than they can afford) yet feel they have less time, it’s important to focus on the deeper meaning and spirit of the holidays. Now and in the days to come, regroup and refocus your energies to give the most priceless gift you always have to offer – YOU. Truly the most wonderful gifts of the year are heartfelt, so here are a few you can offer the whole year through.

1. Create A Moment - Moments are magical times when someone later turns and says, “Remember the time we…” Moments don’t just happen; they’re created. Moments are the gifts that keep on giving and that can be relived at any time over and over again.
2. Unconditional Love and Friendship - No judging, no gossiping, no criticizing – No Kidding! (Read the rest of the article at)

‎”We can learn to soar only in direct proportion to our determination to rise above the doubt and transcend the limitations.” – David McNally.

Many times we put limitations for success upon ourselves.  This limits our ability to achieve success in many areas of our life.

One of the biggest limitations we put on ourselves is in public speaking.  We think, even before we speak, that we are not good public speakers.  The secrets in the following article will help you eliminate your fears and remove the limitations so that you can be successful and soar when making presentations:

How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking in Seven Powerful Steps

Have you ever avoided a career or business opportunity because it required you to speak publicly? Did you ever have a great idea you wanted to share in a group setting but didn’t because of your fear of speaking in front of a group of people?

You are not alone in the fear of public speaking. In my travels, I have seen where the fear of public speaking have kept otherwise very successful people in all walks of life from achieving their full potential. When you let this fear dominate your life, you lose out on promotions, business opportunities, community activities, and most of all self-confidence.

The following are seven powerful secrets to empowering you to overcome your fear of public speaking and achieving a new level of success in your career, your business, and your life:

1. Ask Yourself the Important Question - Ask yourself, “Where does my fear come from and is it real?” Was there a public speaking opportunity in the past that you think didn’t go well or that you felt was poorly prepared? Maybe you had to stand up in front of your classmates in high school or college and someone made what you perceived as a negative comment concerning your presentation. Maybe you gave a good speech but you started to over analyze every detail of the speech.
2. Face Your Fear of Public Speaking - The fastest way to overcome any fear, much less the fear of public speaking, is to face your fear and attack it. Look for and embrace opportunities to make presentations. Start with non-threatening opportunities such as your children’s school meeting or a non-work related situation and work your way up to more important, high pressure situations such as work meetings. (Read the rest of the article at Overcoming Fear Public Speaking)