personal improvement
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How to Grab People's AttentionIn this hectic, fast-paced world, it can be tough getting anyone’s attention. But you’re more likely to succeed if you quickly arouse interest, generate intrigue, and make an impression. One way to do that is with a hook—an opening statement or question that quickly piques curiosity. Here's how to grab attention. | 
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How to Manage a Challenging Audience When You’re Giving a PresentationMost audiences will be courteous when you’re giving a presentation. But it can be a challenge to face customers, senior managers, or even coworkers who persistently disagree with you, constantly interrupt you, treat you rudely, or otherwise disrupt your presentation. Here are some ways to cope without losing your cool. |
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Craftsmanship: The Software Testers’ GoalSome people just don’t care about creating great products or services. They believe the marketplace will settle for lower quality. Lee Copeland argues that as software testers, we need to combat that way of thinking by embracing craftsmanship. Focus on quality with knowledge, skill, diligence, judgment, and passion. | 
Lee Copeland |
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5 Strategies to Get Approval to Attend a ConferenceYour organization isn’t in business to send you to trade shows, seminars, and fun-in-the-sun conferences. There has to be a solid business reason for you to attend, and you’ll improve the odds of getting the OK to go if you can make a comprehensive justification for going. Here are five things to focus on. |
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If You’re Working Too Much, Is It a Challenging Project or Bad Management?Projects sometimes encounter challenges that require team members to put in extra work. But if this is happening repeatedly, it's worth figuring out where the pressure is coming from. You may need to ask, “Is this project simply challenging, or is it being badly managed?” | 
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Doodle Your Way to Improved Focus and ConcentrationIf you're stuck in a boring meeting and having trouble paying attention, there's an unlikely activity that could help you focus: doodling. Sketching or drawing keeps the brain active during discussions and can help you relieve stress, improve productivity, and even better recall what you're listening to. |
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Gain a Competitive Advantage by Meeting Your DeadlinesWhen you agree to do something by a certain date, do you meet your deadline? Many people don’t, which turns into a huge competitive advantage for those who do. That's because when people know you as someone they can count on to help them meet their own deadlines, you’re the one they’ll turn to for other opportunities. |
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Building and Maintaining a Professional NetworkYour professional network can be a valuable asset when you are looking for information, recruiting, or seeking a new job. But how do you get a good network? The obvious answer is to be honest, bright, hardworking, and personable, but there are other things you can do to grow and strengthen your network, too. |
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