Latest Post

Must have heard the word Ikigai being thrown around these days? What is it exactly, ever wondered? Well, it is a life-changing philosophy just waiting to be discovered by you.

Understanding Ikigai

Ikigai is a truly traditional Japanese life concept that has stood the test of time and is now here to make waves among the 21st-century populace.

Iki means life, and Gai is the value of something. Loosely translated, it means “life purpose”. What job is it that invokes joy in you and also helps you find meaning & purpose in this world?

The fundamental question above that humanity has been struggling with is what Ikigai aims to answer. Ikigai is your reason for being – why you get out of bed each morning.

But, in a more practical sense – the philosophy is being used to help find all professionals their dream careers.

The Resurgence in Modern Ethos can be traced to a recent literary phenomenon that has taken the world by storm.

The book ”Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” has successfully brought the philosophy to a larger audience.

As a result, more and more people are striving to attain this zen of life.

Finding your Ikigai: 3 Essential Steps

A difficult, difficult task indeed. Let us simply it for you. The 3 quick steps to discovering your Ikigai include:

A. Few Questions For You

B. Brainstorming

C. Studying Deeply

A. Few Questions for You

Note down your answers to the following questions:

• What do you love doing?
• What are you good at?
• What does the world need?
• What can you be paid for?

These are the 4 components of Ikigai.

Once you note down the first answers to these 4 questions, delve deep into the details.

• Does your work excite you, or does your hobby excite you more?
• Are you the best at what you do, or are you aiming to gain expertise?
• Do people love your craft?
• Is there a demand for it in the marketplace?

You will need to picture the next 10 or 100 years and see where your vocation is placed in terms of value. Are you solving a problem for humanity?

And will you be paid for it? If your answer is Yes to all that you are currently doing – then you should continue to do the same.

But if you feel your hobby drives more passion from you – then it’s high time to turn that hobby into a living.

B. Brainstorming

Oh no, don’t worry. It is not the usual kind but one where you are needed to visualise your day in synchronicity with your surroundings and how you feel placed in it.

It’s your ideal day. Where are you, and what are you wearing? Who are you talking to, and what tasks do you have? Do you feel good? Do you feel burnt? Make sure to write down immediately what you visualised.

Take a look at the questions you answered ‘No’ to. Are there changes you can make to these, so your dream aligns with your ideal day?

Don’t let the fear or negative thoughts creep up before exhausting every possible strategy that can make you feel at home in your dream job—bored at work. Want to leave?

What about applying for a leadership position that challenges you?

C. Studying Deeply

Extensive research and experimental dabbling will help you find your way to your Ikigai. Take as many classes as needed, attend workshops, and sign up for new hobbies.

Learn to code, bake, or apprentice under photographers and designers. The more you live the day-to-day humdrum of your dream, the more your understanding of it becomes clearer.

You will then not hesitate to make a call – is this really what you want to do for the rest of your life? The answer will be a simple Yes or No.

Repeat the steps time and again till you find your Ikigai.

Keep experimenting till you find that sweet spot of fantasy meets reality. Your work needs to speak to you.

Remember – you need to be ready to embrace the kinks of your career too! Once you find your Ikigai, it is not necessary for all elements of it to make sense or be enjoyable.

Applying and Embracing Your Ikigai

So you found your Ikigai and now can’t wait enough to have it reflect in your life? How do you go about that?

What to Do:

1. Make your Goals Small and Actionable

For you to eventually make that great, big leap – you need to start small. First, note down the annual goal that you have envisioned for yourself. Done? Now write down smaller monthly goals that are within your grasp.

Example: If you see yourself becoming the manager within a year, you need to set monthly goals that align with them. Meet your district manager, take up a leadership development training course etc.

2. Make a Blueprint for Your Plan

This is where you go even smaller. The monthly goals need to be broken down into weekly or even daily goals.

Smaller goals help you create a plan and schedule your life around it. You can organise using a Google calendar, a chart, journaling apps, or even a notebook.

The plan is to dedicate each day to a task and follow through. Make a paper copy of your plans and keep them in front of you.

The more you see them each morning – the stronger the efforts to manifest them.

Example: Your Leadership Development Training course goal for February requires you to start searching for such courses from January, zoom in on one and sign up.

You can divide your weeks into attaining upskilling, meeting potential mentors, and expanding your research base.

The weeks will start filling up, and your annual goal will be one step closer.

3. Make sure to have a Support System

It is invaluable to have the correct kind of people surrounding you as you start on your Ikigai journey. It can be your friends, family, colleague, gym bro or even a stranger.

What’s important is that they share your understanding, acknowledge the rough journey ahead and help you as an accountability partner.

How do you find one? Reach out to your close friends, mentors in college, or teachers from back in school.

Teaming up with colleagues with similar goals can also be an effective way to create a sound ecosystem for yourself.

Foster these relationships, learn from them and use your network to your advantage.

5. Make Methods to Test your Plan

Ready with the plan? Time to test it out.

A couple of questions you need to answer to be able to test this.

• Is your plan helping you achieve your short-term goals?
• What about your long-term goals?
• Does all seem ok with you?
• Or do you feel overwhelmed?

You need to re-assess your plans depending on whether you can answer positively to the questions that matter.

So often, we face a dilemma between what we ought to do and what we want to do. This is a good time to get clarity on it.

What Not To Do:

So, what are those tiny little hiccups you need to be wary of? Those challenges that you will need to overcome to win the day?

1. Do NOT Feel Overwhelmed

It is utterly terrifying to re-discover yourself – we understand.

But to give up easily or let yourself be overcast with the clouds of under-confidence?

We can’t let that happen, can we?

• Do not let anxiety get the better of you.

• Identify mechanisms to recover from moments of breakdown and make them your armour.

• Do not stop, no matter what.

• You are allowed to make mistakes, take breaks, and recover. What you are not allowed to – not keep moving forward. You must.

• Do not go big; go consistent.

• Your action steps need not be grand statements. Afraid that your small steps will matter? If the small wins each week will surmount to something tangible? They will.

2. Do NOT Fight for More Time

Again, it’s not the amount of your efforts – but the intensity and continuity of it that will bring in palpable changes.

• Do not be too strict to be dynamic.

• Let your creativity find avenues to fit into the daily steps and efforts. It needs not to be set in stone as to when and for how long you practice methods of Ikigai. Find a way to organise your plan within your schedule and in alignment with your needs. The harder you try – the more chances of you getting overwhelmed.

• Do not be afraid to try the new.

• While traditional methods do reap in returns – one should always try the road less travelled. Not able to practice Ikigai at work? No worries, listen to that podcast while travelling back home. Fuse in imagination, the risk to try, and the willingness to learn – and what you get is the dynamic flow of life you were seeking.

3. Do NOT Let Fear Get The Best Of You

Our brains are wired to protect us and survive – instead of taking fancy leaps into the unknown.

Let it do its job but only up till it restricts your agency from exploring the new and wild. You will feel afraid – terrified at times.

But to let that stop you from moving, trying, getting up back again – is not allowed.

• Do not let your survival instincts get the better of you.

• There might be false alarms when you try to delve into new avenues. You will need to balance out the logical ones from the panic attacks.

• Do not let intuition be the boss of you.

• Rarely do our intuitions lead us astray. But when it comes to reinventing yourself – you need to make it take a back seat. Your goal is within view; all you need is a little practice. The last thing you need is the impulse to slide back into your comfort zone.

Conclusion

The Ikigai philosophy can help you discover your life’s purpose and lead you to your dream career.

The key to discovering your Ikigai is to ask yourself a few questions, brainstorm, and study deeply.

The 4 components of Ikigai are:

• What do you love doing?
• What you’re good at?
• What does the world need?
• What can you be paid for?

Through extensive research and experimentation, you can find the sweet spot of fantasy meets reality and make a call on whether this is truly what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Once you find your Ikigai, you need to be ready to embrace the kinks of your career and realize that not all elements of it may make sense or be enjoyable.

So embrace your Ikigai and be ready to find a new you.

You now have the complete guide to arm you in this quest to find your Ikigai. So start right now and find your true calling.

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below. I will answer!

Recommended reading:

Top 12 Essential Interpersonal Skills You Ought to Master

7 Effective Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills

Nowadays, having effective communication skills are important to build a solid career.

Read our guides on communication & interpersonal skills.

Have you ever lost a big deal simply because of a typo? Or created a furore at HR by sending the wrong recipient sensitive company documents?

While communication mistakes like incorrect grammar or forgetting attachments can have a solution ready in retrospect – bigger mistakes can lead to serious consequences.

These include but are not limited to tarnishing your reputation with prospective clients, losing old clients and thus valuable revenue – or getting a bad name in the industry.

The article aims to make you verse at 7 common communication mistakes in business and at workplace while providing various tips and tricks to avoid the same.

What is Communication? Watch this video!

Communication Mistakes at the Workplace

So what are these communication mistakes we have been prone to making at work?

They range from editing gaffes to confrontational body language.

While some limit themselves to documents and presentations – others spill into how you behave and interact with others at the office front, in meetings, and in the larger workplace milieu.

Let’s take a look at the most common errors that create a damper in the relationships we ought to foster at our office.

This is not an exhaustive list but definitely the more common miscommunication instances that need to be addressed.

1. Not Being Assertive

If you want to stand a better chance at receiving what you exactly need – or even broker a compromise – you must start asserting yourself while not letting it slide into aggression.

Practice saying ” No” when you need to – it will help you in many stressful moments and conflicts of interest.

Using the correct words would help deliver home the fact that saying “No” to the request is not necessarily saying” No” to the person.

Refrain from:

• Saying “Yes” to everything.
• Turn down requests gently.

2. Reacting instead of Responding

If you do not give yourself the opportunity to think through a situation – you can get yourself stuck in a whole lot of mess.

The terse email replies, the occasional outbursts, the frustrated body language – all stem from impatience.

Emotional reactions such s these can damage reputations in a second.

Learn to manage your emotions if you don’t want to end up being brandished as someone who lacks self-control.

Refrain from:

• Raising your voice – lest it is taken as screaming/ shouting.
• Responding quickly.

3. Editing without Utmost Care

A sure-shot way to look careless and sloppy at your workplace is to send emails that have not been thoroughly edited for spelling, grammar, language, and tone.

Got a second to read your work aloud?

That’s the best!

This will help you quickly spot typos and incorrect usage of phrases, not to mention the proper tone needed.

Refrain from:

• Relying on spell-checkers.
• Not asking for help; colleagues can often spot errors that miss your eye.

4. Avoiding Difficult Conversations

Trying to skirt away from giving or receiving negative feedback is a big folly.

These things then snowball into major conflicts and rip apart the sync you enjoy with your colleagues. Actionable feedback – that has clarity – will always be appreciated.

Refrain from:

• Delaying uncomfortable interactions. The sooner you rip off the band-aid – the better for both of you.
• Make it a Me-vs-You situation. Conflicts are learning opportunities for everyone involved.

5. Using Generic Approaches

The “One-Size-Fits-All” strategy does not work ever. Especially not at the workplace where people of different sensibilities, viewpoints, and working styles are trying to create synergy.

The difference in learning styles needs to be addressed, and time, space, and opportunities provided for people to adapt.

And until they do – your communication needs to take into heed the needs and expectations of others.

Refrain from:

• Using language that is not inclusive.
• Proposing solutions without discussions or feedback.

6. Using Incorrect Body Language

Much of the workplace banter and communication take place face-to-face.

Unless you have a soothing presence with the correct sharp & strong body language – without being intimidating – it becomes hard to create the workplace relationships that one looks up to.

Refrain from:

• Avoiding direct eye contact.
• Interrupting the speaker.
• Making assumptions too soon and speaking out of turn.

7. Trying to win Arguments

The workplace needs you to follow the philosophy of politely differing with your superiors or colleagues but acknowledging the need to comply with strategies in the organisation’s best interests.

Not every discussion needs to turn into a bloody battlefield, as nothing is to be won, but a lot is at stake if you accidentally prove dominance.

You become a bigger person when you accept mistakes or create the space for others to be heard.

Refrain from:

• Running away from mistakes.
• Being conceited.

How to Avoid Miscommunication: Tips and Tricks

Navigating the common mistakes in your business place can get tricky,, but we are here to help.

Understanding the nuances of workplace communication and the way to achieve the required finesse lets you hold on to potential clients, build better relationships with your employer/ employee and turn your business around to a thriving organisation.

Keep reading to learn of some easy tricks that let you avoid miscommunication.

Have they Understood?

To check comprehension – ask open-ended questions. These usually start with ” what”, “how”, and “why”. Once you let your audience explain what they understood, a strong sense of reflection entails from therein.

Have you accidentally violated their privacy?

Draft it out on your desktop – the Word Doc. saves the day! Instead of clicking away on the mail body – this safety valve helps you have adequate time to double check content, email address, and attachment before you shoot off the mail.

Have you exhibited an open mind?

The power of listening is what saves you here. Just giving the individual in question space and time to express themselves authentically – as you absorb it in – will build a beautiful rapport.

Have you addressed different learning styles of people?

Having a demo presentation before your actual time to shine will help you address the gaps.

Get together with a bunch of people of different sensibilities, and you will get an honest opinion.

Have you prepared enough?

There are a number of online tools that help you assess if your communication content is compelling or not. Leave time out to edit and proofread – if it’s a mail, put effort into illustrating with pictures and evidence – if it’s a presentation, and lastly – rehearse multiple times if you are taking the stage.

Have you edited your work?

Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. There is no shortcut to manually proofreading your content and getting the hang of its tone and language. Is it suitable for the target group in sight? Is it friendly, informative or serious, and bland?

Have you been letting your emotions dictate your response?

Pause. Having a couple of seconds for the data to settle in helps you respond effectively without resorting to emotional outbursts. This is especially true in negotiations and business deals where stakeholders want their own agenda fulfilled.

Have you been using the correct words?

A quick way to avoid the person in front not feeling attacked is to use “I” statements instead of “You”.

Have you been showcasing apathetic body language?

The majority of a message conveyed in person is in your posture, your stance, how you face the other person, and how you emote.

A slight tilting towards the person emanates trust, while crossed hands would make you look conceited.

Give a slight head tilt to imply curiosity and you’ll see interactions flourish.

If you notice yourself committing any of these mistakes – be kind to yourself.

Accept that there are areas of development and work towards reducing such errors. With time, you shall strengthen your arsenal of communications skills.

Learn 7 effective tips to improve your communication skills.

Conclusion

Humans err, and communication is no different. But if you avoid the most common mistakes, your reputation will be protected.

The key to good communication is to consider the needs of the audience.

So prepare every email, document and presentation carefully and take time to review them.

Your calm demeanour and presence of mind to think before you speak will let you manoeuvre many tricky situations.

Over time, you’ll find that avoiding these common communication mistakes will significantly improve the quality of your messages, reputation, working relationships, and job satisfaction.

We have a Free course on communication & Public speaking.

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!

The greatest of ideas are sold on the belief of the person selling them. The behemoths of It and retail, Software and Industries – have all sailed smoothly for decades on the wings of great interpersonal skills.

The bedrock of stakeholder management – these traits can make or break an organization vis a vis the assets involved.

Whether out and about extroverted jobs or remote work by an introverted skilled workforce, the stakeholder in each vertical requires finesse in handling their personalities, temper, quirks, sudden mood swings and much more. This makes know-how of interpersonal skills an absolute must

What are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skills are all about the features of your persona that you leverage to successfully build communication grounds with others.

More popularly known as “people skills” it is the arsenal of verbal and non-verbal communication elements you put into action as you attempt to put forth your ideas and emotions during face-to-face interaction.

How do you interact with your team to have a meaningful collaboration? Collaboration is the single most sought-after skill looked for in fresh graduates. It is a parameter of your team’s efficiency and your own performance.

Oh! So., you have excellent technical skills? Sorry to break the news, but these skills, if not complemented with good relations methods, will not translate into high-paying jobs or appraisals.

List of Interpersonal Skills

Oh, there are many! The list is quite endless when it comes to soft skills that corporates look out for in potential recruits. But what are some of the most sought-after ones?

The following list attempts to embody the core areas interviewers look out for.

1. Active listening – Listening to words without hearing the intent and showing genuine interest is quite useless. Active listening comprises a deep understanding of what is expressed by being present in the moment and alert.
   
   Want to make your employees feel valued? Learn to listen when it matters.
2. Dependability – Well-prepared, punctual, and effective. This is who your company needs you to be. Talent only gets you that far unless you bring in the results. Deliver each day, every day and back it up with a work ethic that people resonate with.
   
   It is definitely the fastest route to getting promoted.
3. Empathy – Whether you are top of the ladder or just starting out, the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes always pays off.
   
   If you lend a compassionate ear, people pay the thoughtfulness back.
4. Communication – Effective communication – verbally, non-verbally and in writing is a sure-shot way to build rapport and charisma, irrespective of your field.
   
   Remember – everyone appreciates clarity in communication.
5. Collaboration – People cannot and should not work in silos. Individual brilliance will not matter if the team is not in sync. Learn to make cross-functional alliances, share critical knowledge in due time and help verticals to establish dominance.
   
   Companies love those who exhibit this skill.
6. Conflict Resolution – Foster the patience and diligence to speak to people in disagreement. The ability to de-escalate situations and solve root problems is a major chunk of managerial skills.
   
   If you are the one to nip all miscommunications in the bud – you have shown prowess in conflict resolution.
7. Decision Making – Is communicating unpopular decisions your forte? It often takes courage and wisdom to understand the impact of personal decisions on teamwork. One who presents a balanced viewpoint – considering all pros and cons- shows mastery in decision-making.
   
   You’ll have to be ready to be held accountable for these decisions.
8. Leadership – Emotional intelligence, patience, responsibility, and dependability – all come together to forge this one. It can be learned, and seniority is often surpassed by virtue of it.
   
   It is to motivate others into action.
9. Negotiation – It is the innate ability to carve out a win-win situation for all parties involved in any interaction, deal, or collaborative attempt. The art of persuasion is a special kind of talent which if mastered, will take you far.
   
   Try to tackle each opportunity to mediate with respect, trust, and active listening skills. A mutually beneficial creative problem will soon emerge.
10. Self-Confidence – The imposter syndrome exists within each one of us. And it is no wonder then how the adage of ‘Faking it till you make it’ makes sense to the entire milieu of millennials and Gen Z fighting it out on the work front.
    
    Believe in yourself first if you want others to do the same. Pretty simple rule, we’d say.
11. Positive Attitude – An infectious virtue – this one really tugs at your heartstring, doesn’t it? Behavior that is conducive to the workplace environment is lauded by colleagues and management alike.
    
    If you are someone who has an affinity to help boost the morale of others – you are in for an appraisal pretty soon.
12. Constructive Criticism – Feedback needs to be presented well – else it steers dangerously close to gossip. Help your peers o focus on areas of development without the air of someone who ‘knows it all’.
    
    Brutally honest? Try to tone it down next time.

Make sure to weave these keywords into your resume and cover letter while applying for the job, as also to drop in a few during the conversation. How you view yourself and represent yourself is key to cracking such interviews.

Scenarios where you Use Interpersonal Skills: Some Examples

Perhaps a couple of examples that better portray the actions in day-to-day life would help you better visualize how interpersonal skills come into play.

Let’s take a look right away.

• Active Listening: How do you prove you are engaged as the person speaks? Put away your phone, close the laptop, and look straight toward them. And yes! Don’t forget to ask questions and give answers if presented with a prompt.

• Dependability: Are you always on time? Do you manage to pull off all tasks entrusted upon you without fail? These are the ways you demonstrate dependability. Be punctual. Close deals. And you’ll be the go-to guy in no time.

• Empathy: If people automatically gravitate towards you to vent workplace stress or brainstorm ideas – you can be sure to have been giving off an air of emotional intelligence. Positive environments within concrete buildings are made possible by individuals like you – thus making you a recruiter’s delight.

• Leadership: Listen to all ideas presented towards you. With patience and kindness. Kudos! You are now a manager with leadership qualities par excellence. Want to steer your team in the correct direction? Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. Pivot conversations with respect and alacrity.

• Teamwork: Combine all of the above and you got teamwork exemplified. If you often find yourself entrusted with team-building activities – congrats! The management sees you as the perfect team leader with great active listening skills, an empathetic approach, and exceptional communicating abilities.

Tips to Develop Interpersonal Skills

No matter how big of a master you are of your domain – no one would really want to work with you if you are a disaster as a co-worker or teammate, would they?

Thus, brushing up on existing interpersonal skills and getting acquainted with those that are lacking in you is a great step to upskilling yourself for your job and becoming indispensable while doing so.

How do you develop your interpersonal skills, you wonder?

Once you know which traits you want to focus on and which ones will really help in your career curve – make a beeline for methods that are tried and tested when it comes to achieving finesse in these.

There are several techniques and nothing is generic for each and all.

Well, take a look at these tips and tricks:-

• Practicing: What good is your checklist if you do not use every opportunity to practice the same?
  
  1. Chat up with your team, colleagues, co-workers whenever you get the chance. This is the greatest place where you can employ your new learnings while noticing growth over time.
  
  2. Practice the art of active listening. Make sure to always repeat back what they said in the course of an interaction.

• Monitoring: No matter how exhaustive or how small your list of interpersonal skills you want to work on – without tracking the daily improvement and scope for growth – there will be next to none growth to your sore skills.
  
  1. Make it a point to monitor your body language every day. Make a note of changing expressions or reactions with a change in your demeanour. This is a great way to understand your prowess in non-verbal communication.
  
  2. Avoid certain actions considered to be aggressive by most. These include crossing your arms, looking around too much when the other person speaks, avoiding direct eye contact, general fidgeting – especially in conferences etc. They have a tendency to make you seem disengaged.

• Apply: Create chances where you can put into application your newfound skills. Putting yourself to the test and challenging yourself is the best way to learn and also progress.
  
  1. There’s a Friday presentation that your boss wants someone from your team to lead? Raise your hand and be the first to volunteer. Lead meetings whenever you can and prove your mettle to yourself and others.
  
  2. Lead meetings, workshops, and seminars. If you can step up to the dais, don’t shy away.

General enthusiasm and engagement while interacting will people will show in your conversations, and soon, people will start taking notice.

The image you project is what people will latch on to. So, you need to project an image of sheer confidence and approachability.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that hiring managers are quite the stickler for the interpersonal skills we took you through. Candidates lacking these would not really catch their attention. The more likable you are – the better your chances of functioning in a team.

And this is what makes interpersonal skills crucial for employment. It is not uncommon for these interpersonal – or rather- employability skills – to become the decisive factor of hiring when it comes to two equally qualified candidates.

Most companies are fine-tuning their recruitment policies, with the hire-for-attitude approach being the basis for this recalibration. So, you better buck up and keep up with the times!

Further reading:

CONFIDENCE: The Fuel to YOUR SUCCESS

7 Effective Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills

Positive relationships in both the professional and personal spheres depend on effective communication.

You use communication skills when you speak with your family, present at work, or discuss a concern with your boss.

Although it’s simple to think of communication as just talking, there is more to it.

Various factors influence communication, such as your word choice, presentation graphics, and tone of voice.

Not only does a betterment in this area help you further your career, but it also makes you an active listener with an open mind and a knack for building great interpersonal relationships.

Poor communication is often a reason behind losing potential business and wasting hours away at inconclusive meetings.

Elements of Communication

There are but 3 facets to it: Verbal, Non-verbal, and written communication.

Verbal communication takes place face-to-face, on online meetings, or over the phone.

Non-verbal communication is your body language, facial expressions, eye contact or the lack of it, and how your body in totality adds to the words being spoken and emoted.

Written communication is that which pops up in letters, emails, and chats. It is definitely also how writers speak to their readers.

But it is to be remembered that communication also inherently entails exceptional listening skills, paying attention to the silence between words, having a heightened emotional awareness that helps identify situations in progress, and definitely great questioning skills as more can be learnt from a succinct question or two than from never-ending paragraphs.

How to Enhance Communication Skills: Verbal

The most traditional of all communications requires a combination of great vocabulary, pitch control, and a sense of animation while engaging with the audience.

You want them to be hooked on what you have to say, right? Rather than fall dead asleep.

How do you do that?

For starters, you must have clarity as to what you wish to communicate and the facts and figures to back that up.

Things to Do:

1. Observe with tact. Your daily communication and audience give a plethora of information about how people engage with you and where they seem to lose attention. Pick up your strengths and weaknesses from daily conversations.

2. Follow a structure. Stating your purpose, backing it up with your rationale, and end with offering possible outcomes. This framework of presenting your thoughts is apt for both professional and informal scenarios.

Things to Avoid:

1. No monotone. You must keep switching from one cadence to another. The to and fro jumping between lower and higher pitch helps assert gravitas and youthfulness, respectively.

2. Use silence to your advantage. The audience will sway with the rhythm of your storytelling as you pause at strategic points, hold the attention and make the big reveal.

How to Improve Communication Skills: Non-verbal

Your face gives out more than you could ever imagine.

Non-verbal cues stand for the body language that is omnipresent in any communication that happens in a physical presence – real or virtual.

It is the movement of your eyes, the crack in your voice, how you cross your arms, and how your feet stand on the ground.

It is a multiplicity of body language features that connects the dot between the words being spoken and the emotion & purpose being espoused.

Things to Do:

1. Meet the eyes. Maintaining steady eye contact is instrumental to establishing a speaker-listener relationship. Firm eye contact used intelligently helps drive home a point. It says that you are paying eye attention and are indeed present in the moment.

2. Good Posture says it all. Slouching is an absolute no-no in the workplace or during serious talks. It can be a difficult non-verbal communication skill to master – but you need to work at it nonetheless.

Things not to do:

1. Do not fidget. This is rule number one in any checklist. Being calm and still will convey a sense of confidence and control.

2. Don’t cross your arms. This apparent ‘power pose’ is a sham you need to stay away from. It makes you come off as a closed person who is not ready to various perspectives, and this can never be helpful at work or with family.

How to Enrich Communication Skills: Written

This one can be the hardest as you do not have your audience present to judge their reaction and change tone and manner accordingly. What can be done, though, is constant reviewing.

Make sure that your spelling and grammar are flawless as a starting point for improving your written communication.

The written word can be very powerful in conveying your ideas and especially emotions, if you incorporate punctuations, pauses, and bridges to great effect.

Things to Do:

1. Read before sending.

Are there missing points? Is the tone appropriate for this email? Assuming too much of the reader or too less is a grave mistake. Instead, make sure you are clear, concise, and yet in-depth and intuitive in what you have written.

2. Pay attention to Formatting.

Is your email a readable text? Does it look and feel like a long paragraph with no pauses? One would immediately lose attention if that be so. Use bullet points, indentations, separate paragraphs, etc. To make more sense. Emphasise key points with underlines and highlights.

Things not to do:

1. Do not over-complicate.

Simple sentences that are not contrived or riddled with big words will always be more welcome by your audience.

2. Use more active voice.

Contrary to tradition. People do prefer shorter sentences in active voice that not only clarify actions or ideas being spoken of but also help make the reader more engaged.

7 Methods to Improve Your Communication Skills

1. Listen, Listen, Listen

The desire of people is to feel heard. Rather than formulating your response, pay close attention to what the other person is saying.

To avoid misunderstandings, seek clarification.

A major part of effective communication lies in listening closely.

You should pay attention to a person’s non-verbal cues as well as their spoken words when they are speaking to you.

One conversation at a time is another crucial idea. This means that you shouldn’t reply to an email or send a text message while on the phone with someone.

They will pick up the fact that you are not paying attention. A great way to start and hold attention is to ask questions.

2. Be clear and concise

Are your words expressing your core idea? Or have you strayed far from what you meant to convey?

Proofreading for typos, spelling, and grammatical mistakes will often help you shed the weight of excess words that help simplify the message.

With emails or our stories – we need to be careful lest we ramble. Do you think they want to listen to you meander through your long, winding story only to reach an unsatisfactory conclusion? No, they don’t as much as you wouldn’t.

Conversations that are clear and concise – both in life and on paper – are the ones which are most welcome.

3. Prepare in advance

Oh, so you are a sucker for impromptu conversations?

Don’t you really like making blueprints before expressing yourself?

No one could deny the charm of organic conversations that flow seamlessly in person and on paper – but the ‘um’s’ and the ‘uh’s’ can get really tricky if you don’t have time to think ahead.

If you’re planning to give a speech or present an idea in your office meeting. It’s better if you plan ahead in time.

A mere 30 seconds to go over key points you would like to engage within that communication will work wonders for you.

4. Be careful of nonverbal communication

Being mindful of the Dos and don’ts of what we spoke of non-verbal communication will take you a long way – both in being an active listener and an engaging speaker.

Picking up on non-verbal cues, such as fidgeting by the speaker, will tell you that it’s time to wind up your story.

Or their refusal to make eye contact is a sure-shot indication of impending boredom.

Your own body language can command attention if a combination of good traits be used into effect – such as a straight posture, hand gestures, constant eye contact with the audience, moving around the room etc.

5. Observe your tone

Does your listener feel respected? Does your reader feel included? Your tone of communication will be decisive for these two questions.

The difference in location, setting, topic at hand, the audience present – all call for choosing an appropriate tone.

Formal settings won’t appreciate jokes interspersed into your monologue, while social gatherings call for a more earthy manner of speaking.

Recording your voice while giving a speech or preparing for a tough conversation will help you identify the ebb and flow of your tone.

Keep recording, reviewing, and resolving to make changes where they are needed.

6. Learn from experts

Although the best communication skills are to be learnt through sheer experience – there is always the option of learning from the pros.

Several handbooks, workshops, seminars and courses are available nowadays that take you through the ABCs of effective communication skills.

So what If you live in a remote location or have absolutely no time to spare for workshops?

You can join online courses to enhance your communication skills.

It can be a big undertaking to transform the way you communicate – that’s where these coaches and mentors come in.

7. Identify your weaknesses and work upon them

So many pointers and so much knowledge. But how to effectively imbibe them into your daily conversations?

Well, one has to practice for this as they do for any other skill.

Ask for feedback, pinpoint challenges and commit to working on these areas of development.

Test the Level of Communication Skills you have acquired each day, every day, and at any given occasion.

Small changes that you incorporate into your next zoom meeting or coffee chat will make a huge impact in the long run.

Test the Level of Your Communication Skills

So many pointers and so much knowledge. But how to effectively imbibe them into your daily conversations?

Well, one has to practice for this as they do for any other skill.

Ask for feedback, pinpoint challenges and commit to working on these areas of development.

Test the Level of Communication Skills you have acquired each day, every day, and at any given occasion.

Small changes that you incorporate into your next zoom meeting or coffee chat will make a huge impact in the long run.

Key Takeaways

In a post-pandemic world – with increased remote work and isolation at home – effective communication is indeed a boon that can be weaponised to great effect.

There is always room for improvement, even if you were born with a natural gift for interacting with others in an effortless and effortless manner.

Just as your interpersonal and professional relationships develop over time, so do strong communication skills.

Communication is a two-way street.

Once you inculcate methods to be a good listener – the speaker in you gets honed in their craft.

Put in empathy in every sentence you speak or write down, and that will mark the beginning of a great communicator who holds a room completely mesmerised.

Related articles: 100 Most Common Phrasal Verbs List with Example Sentences

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. I’ll answer!

Studying English is usually tricky and tiresome.

This is because there are millions of grammatical rules, exceptions to the rules, types of speeches, phrasal verbs, pronunciations, idioms, phonetics, and accents.

After a time learning English becomes a task to work upon, and over time it becomes boring.

So how can we avoid sleeping in all boring grammar lectures?

There’s a fantastic solution to it.

Today you will get to know how you can make use of all those brilliant Hollywood entertainments.

How can subtitles help you?

It is usually said that watching movies, different videos, television series, and listening to English songs will help you improve your basic skills like speaking and listening in English.

Subtitles (in English, of course) are the best way to learn by listening.

It helps you understand clearly what is happening in the movie scene or television show.

Which will help you enhance your vocabulary and give you knowledge of grammatical errors that you might make.

Suppose you can’t understand the meaning of a specific word, expression or phrase.

In that case, you should always pause and check the meaning of unfamiliar words or expressions in a dictionary or online.

Try to form some sentences with them and try to use them in further speeches when you get the hang of it.

How is playback speed critical?

One very advisable and effective technique is to slow down the speed of any video you are watching, and by this, I mean to reduce the playback speed.

If you’re watching something on Youtube or streaming Netflix, and you slow it down by 10% you will be surprised at how simple it is to understand the dialogue and the movie as a whole.

Anyone who learns a second language is, at some point, frustrated by how fast native speakers talk.

Interest is the key

The other very important thing is to watch something that you find interesting.

If you start with some recommended or famous series, show or movie but find it boring, skip it.

Please don’t waste your time on it as there are many others out there.

You got so many different shows and genres among which you can choose from.

You won’t learn English by forcing yourself to watch things that aren’t of your vibe.

Our brain can remember information better only if it is necessary, interesting or beneficial to us.

If you are a new English speaker, choose those series that have simple storylines and use easy everyday words.

Don’t start with shows like Suits, The Big Bang Theory or Supernaturals. Try out simple sitcoms like Friends and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

Watch movies and talk shows that you have already seen in your language (which are not difficult to understand).

It may also benefit your reading comprehension skills to watch a show like that with English subtitles.

Try to read subtitles out loud as it may help you build your speaking skills as well.

Also, give importance to understanding the accents. You can watch various shows as many of the shows have mixed casts from different parts of the world.

Some are from England and hence have that authentic British accent, and some find effortless English good and hence have an American accent.

Even if you cannot develop the accent you like, you should try to pronounce words like that and at least you will be able to understand the same quickly.

Here is a list of the most popular series, shows and movies.

These are available on various online platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar. Choose the genres according to your interest.

Some English Web Series suggestions:

• Friends
• Vikings
• Sherlock
• Emily in Paris
• Lucifer
• The Walking Dead
• Sex Education
• Breaking Bad
• Modern love
• The Vampire Diaries
• The Originals
• The Big Bang Theory
• Supernatural
• Suits
• Young Sheldon
• The Marvellous Mrs Maisel
• Riverdale
• 13 Reasons why
• The office
• Modern Family
• Mr Robot
• How I met your Mother

Some English Talk Shows:

• The Oprah Winfrey Show
• The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon
• The Jimmy Kimmel Show
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• The Late Late Show with James Corden
• The Ellen Show

Some English Movies suggestions:

• Devil wears Prada
• Inception
• Wonder woman
• Interstellar
• Inception
• Pursuit of Happyness
• Gravity
• Sherlock Holmes
• Titanic
• The Justice League
• The perfect Date
• The Sleepover
• Lion King
• Bird Box
• Murder Mystery
• David Copperfield

Final Thoughts

You can find all of these talk shows on YouTube. Sign up to watch new episodes if you wish.

Use English language TV series and talk shows to break up the boredom of studying from textbooks.

All the best!

If you want to improve your communication, public speaking, business English & other soft skills that are needed for today’s workplace.

Click here to learn more.

What is slang?

Slangs are simply English words used informally, generally among younger generation people.

When you use words in an informal setting, you should be more careful, and you should never use these slang expressions when talking to your boss, parents, supervisors, older people, or teachers.

It’s best to use these slang words while talking with workmates, friends, and those who you’re close with and you know well.

Another critical aspect of these slang words and phrases is that they are not always words that you can look up in a dictionary.

They are often derived from other words, phrases, or slang expressions.

For example, I have a workmate named Jay who is good enough to my face, but he might say all kinds of nasty things about me behind my back.

This makes him my enemy, to some extent, right?

So Jay is my frenemy (it is a mixture of the words friend + enemy).

Hence this slang word was derived from two common and regular words in the English language.

Let’s talk about some commonly used slang words in the English language.

1) To blow out of here.

This slang phrase is referred to leave a place. Example: It’s time we blow out of here. The party is boring.

2) Pain in the neck

Having real pain in the neck is very unpleasant. So this expression is to depict that something is irritating to us.

For example, My younger sister is a pain in the neck because she asks me so many dumb questions.

3) Zapped out

When you work hard and all day and didn’t take a break for even a minute, you are completely exhausted. To depict this feeling, we use this slang phrase or expression.

For example, You were zapped out. Did you have a long day at work?

4) To catch some Zs

We have emojis or emoticons in emails and text messages with the letter ‘z’ on the face.

Hence this slang expression means to sleep or to take a nap.

Example: Before you go to the airport, you might want to catch some Z’s.

5) Screw around

Screwing around means to do non productive things or wasting time doing unnecessary things.

If this is done at work, it means that you are not doing what you should be doing or are required to do.

Perhaps you send text messages to friends or play games on your phone or check social media.

Example: If Nisha screws around this much, she would be fired soon.

6) Far out

This expression is generally used to describe music/songs or something that is very good.

For example, The music at this event is far out.

This expression was very well known in the 1960s and 1970s but is very rarely heard in today’s time.

7) To goof-up

Everyone makes mistakes.

The slang expression means to do something stupid or make a mistake.

For example, I goofed up by getting inked on my belly. Or I goofed up by coloring my hair blonde.

8) To make waves

Most teenagers use this expression. It means causing problems or difficulties.

For example, The Bollywood actors controversial statement made waves around the country.

9) Bummed

This expression is related to a person’s mood. Generally, when we feel down or are disappointed for some reason, we can describe our mood using this word.

Nihaal was really bummed because his bike broke down and he couldn’t attend the party.

10) Airhead

It would be best if you never said it to someone’s face. It’s considered flawed, and you will probably end up offending them.

This expression literally means a head filled with air or no brains. So be careful, as no one likes it when they are being called stupid.

Example: My brother Shailendra is dating an airhead. This means that Shailendra is dating a young woman who is not intelligent. 

Final Thoughts

So use this English slang in the following conversation that you have with your peers.

Time to show off some skills.

Opportunity for fast learners

Want to learn MORE stylish idioms and phrases along with grammar and vocabulary learning secrets?

We would highly recommend you to join “The 60-Day Communication Skills Course.”

Click here to Learn More!

In this course, you’ll get:

✅ 100% practical video lessons daily

✅ Exclusive practice community

✅ Weekly live class

✅ Learn from an expert

✅ Learn multiple skills in a single course such as email writing, public speaking, presentation and more

Click HERE to know more!

Cheers,

Team Abhishek

English is a tricky language to learn. It is full of confusing and contradictory rules that are difficult to follow, especially for a new learner.

One of the very confusing yet amusing elements of the English language is known as heteronym.

Let’s explore heteronyms with some of their examples.

In phonology and grammar, heteronyms are spelled the same but have different meanings. Mostly the pronunciations are a bit different too.

Two words can be heteronyms but not homophones. There is a technical difference between them.

Let’s take an example, “”row”” (use oars) and “”row”” (argument) are heteronyms because they employ different pronunciations, while “”mean”” (signify), “”mean”” (rude), and “”mean”” (average) are not heteronyms.

Because they are pronounced the same. These words are called homonyms.

Most heteronyms are identified in pairs. There are three different words being heteronyms like the above example, but this is very rare.

Homophones are words that are pronounced precisely similar, but they have different meanings or spellings.

The differences in pronunciation show different definitions or meanings of the same word.

Heteronyms are generally noun-verb pairs, and the words are pronounced differently.

Heteronyms Examples

Some of the commonly used words are listed below. You can go through them and see if you know about Heteronyms.

Also, in some pairs, words have entirely different meanings, while others have implications that both are somewhat related to each other.

• Affect – to touch someone’s feelings / causing emotions or desires
• Alternate – when something occurs, in turn, one after the other/different choice or second option.
• Attribute – associate something to be caused by / characteristic trait or quality
• Axes – plural of ax (tool) / plural of ‘axis’ (reference line)
• Bass – stringed musical instrument/fish species
• Bow – a tool used to shoot an arrow/action of bending the upper part of the body as a sign of respect or greeting someone.
• Bowed – past tense of bow / twisted or turned
• Buffet – to strike as wind or waves in a continuous form/meal of several dishes where diners self serve
• Close – to cover an opening / being nearby.
• Conduct – to guide or lead / how a person acts or behaves
• Conflict – being incompatible or at a variance / a severe argument or disagreement
• Console – to comfort someone / an electronic unit with a list of controls
• Desert – leaving or abandoning / a dry, barren, and sandy area of land
• Digest – breaking down of food in the stomach / a summary of information
• Dove – past tense of the word “dive” / a type of white bird
• House – providing accommodations/home or abode
• Incense – to make angry or irritated / substance that is burned for its fragrance
• Intern – to capture someone as a prisoner / a student or trainee who is working to gain professional experience
• Lead – to show or guide someone through the way / a type of metal (Pb)
• Moderate – making or becoming less extreme/average amount
• Number – comparative form of “”numb”” (adjective) / an arithmetical or numerical value
• Object – to act or express disagreement or disapproval / materialistic thing
• Permit – giving authorization or consent / an official document that gives permission to someone
• Polish – rubbing the surface of something to make it smooth and shiny / anyone who belong to Poland
• Record-setting down in writing or other permanent forms for future reference/something kept in writing permanently
• Refuse – indicating or showing unwillingness to do something / of no use or garbage
• Separate – cause to move/viewed as a unit apart
• Sewer – an underground pipeline for carrying away wastewater / a person who sews
• Subject – causing or forcing to undergo/a person or thing that is being discussed or talked about
• Tear – to rip or pull apart / a drop of water secreted by the eyes
• Wind – twisting or coiling something around a core/the natural movement of air

You see how cool heteronyms are.

Now see, below are three sentences. Try reading them and pronouncing the heteronyms.

• I love to read stories so much that I read two books last weekend.
• After reading the 300-number list repeatedly, her brain became the number.
• When the wildfire got very close, the fire department had to close the road.

Hence, the next time you use heteronyms in a sentence, read it carefully, as the sentence’s meaning depends on pronunciations.

Thanks for reading!

Do you love to strap on your dancing boots and get on the stage?

Then you will find it extremely important to learn a few idioms, phrases, and expressions in the English language.

I’m sure you’ve seen the famous Hindi Movie ABCD: Any Body Can Dance and enjoyed watching Prabhu Deva, Varun Dhawan, and Shraddha Kapoor move together so gracefully.

Didn’t you wish to join any Hip hop or Dance classes after watching that movie?

Here are our favorite idioms, phrases, and expressions related to dancing in English

Dance the night away

When someone dances all night long: Join me, Ritesh! I am going to dance the night away.

To boogie

When we dance to fast pop or rock-n-roll music: Stop exaggerating! Let’s boogie!

Strut your stuff

When we dance confidently on the dance floor and show off our dancing skills: Sheila always struts her stuff. Some people consider her to be a great dancer.

Burn up the dance floor

When we dance in an enthusiastic and lively way on the dance floor: Laila burned up the dance floor at Amaira’s party last weekend.

Dancing on air

When we are extremely happy: My daughter was dancing on air after she got an increment.

Put on your dancing shoes.

When we get ready to dance, as in at a party or any other event: She never forgets to put on her dancing shoes!

Have two left feet

An expression which is used to describe a person who is not a good dancer: The thing is, Siddharth has two left feet. That’s why I think that I should ask someone else for the Diwali party. 

Dances have many types too. Some of them are described here:

• Disco
• Ballet
• Salsa
• Tango
• Belly dance
• Samba
• Hula (Hawaiian dance)
• Waltz
• Ballroom dance
• Breakdance
• Ice dancing
• Tap dance
• Contemporary (modern) dance
• Folk dance
• Irish dance
• Kathak
• Bharatnatyam
• Odissi
• Kathakali
• Manipuri
• Kuchipudi
• Other Indian dance forms

There are several other dance forms all around the world, but these are the most popular ones.

Now, whenever you have your next dance party, be sure to add these great phrases and idioms and showcase your dance and English speaking skills all at once.

Filler words help fill in pauses and gaps in conversations and speeches when we are thinking about answering a question.

Many knowledgeable people think that the use of such filler words depicts the insufficient vocabulary of the speaker.

Still, these words are often considered to be ‘style’ of speech, as they are also used by people who speak fluently.

In fact, filler words perform a necessary psychological function.

Since we all are human beings and not robots, we need time to process the information or question, and then we can give genuine answers in response.

Below we will come across some filler words used by both native and learning English speakers.

See how these words could be beneficial and what their drawbacks are.

Well

This word is usually used to score some time and clear one’s thoughts.

Wow!

This word is also an exclamation in English grammar that is sometimes used when you cannot find other words or phrases.

For example, your brother bought a new shirt, and when he shows it to you (you don’t like it), you say “Wow!” to avoid hurting his feelings.

This word is also used to express a variety of positive emotions. It may express astonishment, excitement, surprise, or happiness.

Okay

This word is known to all as it is the most simple word to show agreement over a topic of discussion. It is very frequently used while speaking or writing.

It is sometimes shortened to the word ‘ok’ while writing.

No way

It is used when you are shocked by something and are in a denial state.

Either you can not find the right words, or it is hard to believe something. It also shows your resistance to doing a particular task.

Tell me something

When you are about to ask a personal natured question, you should use this phrase to announce the question and let the other person digest it.

For example, Suzi, tell me something, how is your relationship going with Paul?

You see

Virtually, this expression has no meaning in the English language. It is genuinely just a filler phrase.

Sometimes, it is used in coordination with a thought that the person you are talking to does not understand or is not aware of something.

By the way

Its meaning is ‘incidentally,’ and it helps the speaker to talk about a minor topic that is unrelated to the discussion going on.

Exactly

This is an appropriate expression to fill a pause in the conversation, and at the same time, it is used to express agreement concerning the current topic.

Words like, yeah or you’re right can be replaced by this. It sounds more professional.

To be honest

In situations where you are uncomfortable to answer a question, but you want to tell the truth, this word is the one exact word in such situations.

For example: To be honest, I feel my Paul is dishonest to me.

You know

It is an actual filler word. It has no meaning, yet native and fluent speakers often use it.

Certainly

This word helps to tell the other person with whom the conversation is going on that you are focused on listening to the discussion or that you do agree with them.

It can also be used in the place of “yes,” and shows more positiveness than the word ‘yes.’

Basically

When you are almost at the end of your long speech, usually then this filler word is used to help you summarize all the topics spoken very clearly. It is a guide filler word. 

Final Thoughts

Of course, we should try to limit the use of these words as excessive use can make both the speaker as well as the listener feel uncomfortable, and you will be forced to clarify your speech or understanding.

Hence, they can be used sparingly, as they will help you speak and keep a conversation or a speech go smoothly.

Good luck!

When we express our gratitude, it is considered not only being humble but also good mannerisms.

It validates the person’s actions that helped you.

By helping each other, we can make this world a better place, whether through their actions or comments.

They always tend to do right by us. These people deserve our appreciation.

Showing your thankfulness may not repay the good things someone did for you, and it certainly does go a long way.

So from now on, show people your regards and gratitude by being thankful to them.

Here are some creative choices that can be shared with people who helped you.

Express your gratitude by matching the correct words below.

Best Words of Thanks

1. I’m wearing the smile you gave me.
2. TYFBA! (Thank you for being Awesome!)
3. TYSM (Thank you so much)
4. Thanks a lot!
5. You are nothing less than a savior from God!
6. I cannot thank you enough for your contribution!
7. Please accept my appreciation.
8. Thankful to have you as a friend.
9. We’d love to express our appreciation for your lovely gift.
10. Thanks to you, it has helped me a lot.
11. Thank you for a great time.

Great Words of Thanks Messages

1. Our highest gratitude for your work.
2. We are so grateful for your support.
3. I am so thankful for the things you have done for me.
4. What a blessing you’ve been.
5. Magnificent! You’re a lifesaver!
6. God bless your spirit!
7. You made my day!
8. I’m humbled by all you’ve done on our behalf.
9. May the world be full of beautiful people like you!
10. I am so thankful for your kindness.
11. A heartfelt acknowledgment for all that you’ve done.

Quotes of thanks by famous people

1. “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
2. “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G.K. Chesterton
3. “Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

Appreciation for Your Help Messages

1. Thank you for making time in your daily schedule to step up.
2. Thank you very much!
3. Having you as my friend is indeed a blessing.
4. Thanks for not giving up on me.
5. Thank you for your help.
6. Thank you for always turning my lemons into lemonades.
7. Thank you for the unforgettable experience. You’re incredible.
8. You are a savior.

Expressions of ‘Thank you.’

1. Much obliged!
2. I am grateful.
3. Thanks a lot for being there for me during this difficult time.
4. It was so amazing of you.
5. I will forever be indebted to you.
6. I will remember this forever, thanks.
7. What will I be without you?
8. What you did for me is unforgettable.
9. I’m so grateful to you.

Inspirational Words of Thanks

1. Accept my endless gratitude.
2. My sincere gratitude.
3. Your generosity overwhelms me.
4. I appreciate your valuable time.
5. Consider yourself heartily thanked.
6. I truly appreciate you.
7. I cannot express my feelings.
8. I’ll forever be grateful for your deeds.

Thank You for a Gift

1. When I try to describe your gift, ‘perfect’ is just the word I could think of. Thanks for knowing me so well.
2. Only someone as good as you could get me such an incredible gift. Your taste is so marvelous.
3. Thank you for the gift. You put a smile on our faces.
4. I think you know us better than we know ourselves. Thank you for this beautiful gift.
5. This gift was exactly what I was looking for, Thanks!
6. You never fail to surprise me.
7. Thank you for such a terrific gift.
8. This is the best present I’ve ever received!
9. You made me feel so special.
10. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
11. Your warm wishes on our wedding were just what we wanted, thank you.
12. Thank you for such a heartwarming gift.

Thank you for ‘kind words.’

1. It was amazing it was to receive your beautiful note of support and appreciation.
2. Thank you for supporting me all through the ups and downs.
3. I was captivated when I received your encouragement note. Thank you.
4. I am so much obliged to receive your note. Thank you.
5. I’m so pleased to know that my suggestion note brightens your day.
6. Your incredible generosity and thoughtfulness will be rewarded.
7. Thank you for your kindness.
8. Thank you for your marvelous words.

Short Words of Thanks

1. You are such a calm and caring person. Thanks!
2. Thank you for your support in all my endeavors!
3. Thank you for your kind words.
4. Thank you so much for your encouragement. They meant a lot to me!
5. I think you are incredible.
6. These are some phrases or sentences that you could use and add differently to create a flow in your speeches.

Final Thoughts

The next time try to use the above words according to the situation and level up your game of being grateful or thanking people.

Thank you!