become a better communicator

First step:
Update my address book, including birthdays and anniversaries.

I’ve been losing contact with so many people, especially after college. I’ve just never been good at writing letters/email or sending cards for things. I think if I worked at this, I’d be more in touch, and feel less like I was cut off from the rest of the world.

I don’t think I am a good storyteller. People usually end up laughing at how bad my story was. It is discouraging. And I don’t really embellish, so my stories are short and often unrelevant. I think this issue is my biggest hurdle in becoming a better communicator. Does anyone have any tips on how I can improve this?

I have been so good at making eye contact with people when I’m talking with them recently. It’s such a big deal and it makes you seem like you are really listening.

This goal is already present in a few of my other goals. Wanting to write more is a communication goal. Being more emotional is a communication goal. And, embracing my competitive spirit more has a communication aspect, too—tell people why I deserve to be the one (for the job, for the love, etc.) Just added a new goal of supporting my friend through his dad’s cancer. That’s a communication goal, too, although I think it will be just as important to listen well and not get too hung up on what I’m saying to him.

It takes a while for me to be comfortable talking a lot in front of other people maybe because I am afraid they won’t like me or they will think I’m lame. But I realize now that people will like me more if I talk and contribute to the conversation and really ask about them. I am starting to just ask people questions right to the point. I think if I do that and they answer things first, I’ll be more comfortable to answer questions aimed at me.

I must ask open-ended questions, so there are no yes or no answers in a conversation.

I think I’ve discovered that my way of communicating my feelings towards people is by doing things for them – letting them know through actions rather than words. I guess that’s not a bad thing, but I need to learn how to express myself through words as well…guess it just scares me. Words seem so final – and I’m afraid of saying the wrong things.

I tend to be a little emotionally distant, so I don’t do very well with communicating my feelings. I have an extremely hard time telling people that I love them, even to family and close friends—and I’ve never said this to someone I’ve been in a relationship with. One other aspect of communication that I have yet to grasp. I suppose part of it is a defense mechanism, but being able to communicate feelings and knowing when to do so is an important part in life.

I feel like I’ve lost a huge part of my vocabulary. I will start talking to someone and I just feel like I can’t get one intelligent word out of my mouth. I used to be an orator…not a great one, but I could at least make good conversation and even better arguements…Maybe I should start reading the dictionary!

I have been blessed with several wonderful friends, some that have lasted since I was in elementary school. Unfortunately, I don’t always keep in touch with everyone as well as I should. This is a HUGE goal for me…because these people are important to me, so I should let them know that.

I have a tendency to be a little too nice. Things upset me and instead of telling people about it, I just kind of shrug it off. That’s ok every once in a while, but when it keeps happening over and over, it gets to be a bit tiresome.