Experts in the Art of Nonverbal Communication
For many of us, September marks a fresh start—whether it’s the beginning of a new school year for ourselves, our children, or our community. But even if you aren’t heading back to a classroom, this season is the perfect time to reset and build new habits.
I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and caught a clip with a wonderfully simple message about minimizing clutter: Put things back “Home.”
The idea is to take a moment to put an item away the second you see it isn’t where it belongs. If you handle it right then and there, it takes less than a minute. If you wait until those items turn into a pile, it can take hours. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve created “piles” so daunting that I’ve looked at them and thought, “Why even bother?”
It sounds so simple, yet the magic happens when we turn these actions into habits. Once a behavior becomes automatic, you don’t even have to think about it! I believe building a habit is much easier when we slow down and look at our patterns.
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By identifying our patterns, we can create systems to make life easier. A system can be simple or elaborate, but it has to make sense to you. I remember when my kids were young, I tried to force them into habits that worked for my brain. Sometimes it worked, but often I found myself constantly finding ways to remind them. I eventually realized I was building systems that made sense to me, but not to them.
If you want to make a change that actually sticks, try looking at these three layers:
The What: What is the specific behavior you want to change?
The How & When: What steps will you take, and at what time of day?
The Why: This is the big one—why does this change matter to you?
Some people need to start with the “Why” to find motivation, while others prefer to start with the “What” to get moving. Whatever your process, our recurring theme at MGA is to Go Visual.
Once you’ve answered those three questions, use visual reminders to support everyone involved until the habit is locked in. Give it three weeks, then re-analyze. What’s working? What needs to be tweaked? Start with a small “win” that feels rewarding right away, then work your way up to the bigger challenges.
Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or just someone looking for a reset, September is a natural place to begin. Even as adults, we benefit from visual cues and the simple satisfaction of checking off a box.
Krista
How can MGA help you improve your nonverbal communication skills?
Education
Nourish student relationships and reduce disciplinary time. Learn how enhancing your nonverbal communication helps classroom management.
Business
Fuel your employees and lead them to even greater successes. Discover how nonverbal communication helps business leaders and in-house teams.
Personal Development
Build better relationships with your colleagues, close friends, and your intimate partner — just by learning nonverbal communication skills and making them a habit. Learn more.
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