Usually, before you even get into self-development, you’re inspired to make a change because of some external force. You’ve gone through a breakup, missed promotion at work, or moved to a new town and can’t make any friends. You’ve seen your life play out on repeat. The same actions, leading to the same results and — unfortunately, those results aren’t … Read More
How to Know When It’s Time for Change & Two Tips for Transformation
Lisa Wimberger On How to Beat Social Anxiety
Consider this, you’ve been invited to an acquaintance’s party where you know very few people. You end up arriving to a horde of strangers. You don’t know anyone there. Or maybe it’s a work event with all the top executives you report to and you are the brand new person on the team. It might even be that you find … Read More
in Art of Personal Development
Applied Empathy & Leadership with Michael Ventura
Are you willing to change your point of view? It’s a simple question, but it can take people a lifetime to consider. My work as a systems thinker has led me to explore a variety of methodologies, approaches, and frameworks geared at helping those considering this question to arrive at an answer. Through this work, I’ve found no approach has … Read More
in Art of Personal Development, Self Mastery
Talk to Anyone and Build Connections
It’s human nature to want to connect, yet many people struggle forming strong bonds. We put ourselves out there, break the ice, and start conversations, but then what? How can we take these conversations to the next level and build real connection? Instant connection? Many people think that connection happens rapidly and you need to instantly form a bond with … Read More
in Art of Personal Development, Making Friends
Strengthening The Three Most Important Relationships in Our Lives
According to Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford University, the average human can maintain relationships with up to around 150 people. Sure this number varies for each person, but it’s made us think about the relationships we value. Wanting to understand the three most important relationships in our lives – romantic relationships, relationships at work and relationships … Read More
in Art of Personal Development, Empowerment
Three Conversation MISTAKES Most People Make (and how to fix)
Ever been in a conversation that dies instantly? We all have… It usually goes something like this… Joe: Hey, I’m Joe Jane: Nice to meet you, I’m Jane Joe: Pleasure to meet you Jane, so what do you do? Jane: I’m a ______ (insert awesome occupation) Joe: Interesting. Do you like it? Jane: Yes, it’s great! It’s what I … Read More
in Art of Personal Development
The Power of Healthy Relationships
After spending a month learning about happiness – and the important role that relationships play in this happiness – we wanted to dig deeper. What do we mean by relationships? What are the secrets to building healthy relationships? What’s the science behind how relationships contribute to our personal happiness and well-being? Here are our biggest learnings on the power of … Read More
in Art of Personal Development, Self Mastery
How to Get Respect by Giving Value
When we use the word value it means something very specific to us here at AOC. For us, value is how we derive attention, approval, and acceptance, which humans need to feel good about themselves. You can think of it as oxygen for the human soul. Think about it; ever since the time you were born you have devised ways … Read More
in Art of Personal Development, Confidence, Empowerment
8 Easy Ways to Have Better Conversations
Does the idea of boring small-talk with Uncle Bob or chatting with an attractive person make you tense? If you’re like many people, conversation anticipation will put a few beads of sweat on your forehead. But here’s the good news: While conversation skills are just that–skills to be practiced–some can be implemented swiftly. As a social skills coach we know … Read More
in Building A Connection, Making Friends, Networking
Signs of a Toxic Person and How to Cut Those Toxic People out of Your Life
There’s an old myth that frogs will pull down other frogs trying to escape a pot of boiling water. That’s likely the stuff of folklore, but the dynamic is real: In everyone’s life, there will always be people who will resist, threaten and sabotage the possibility of self-improvement. These are some of the signs of a toxic person. This general … Read More
in Empowerment, Self Mastery