Benefits of habit “Speak up at the meeting”
✓ Improves self-esteem
✓ Improves working relationships and communication
✓ Maintains professional appearance
✓ Encourages engagement
First step:
Say your opinion 1 time this week
Progress:
1. During the closest available meeting, say your opinion once. It can be about any topic, but make sure you can support your opinion. Prepare before the meeting if you can
2. Next week do it twice
3. Keep it up until you participate in every meeting fully
Helpful tips to make it a habit:
✓ Same style. Since meetings don’t always happen at the same time, make sure you have a comfortable way to say your opinion. Try and find supporting arguments before the meeting. Feeling strong about your own opinion will help develop a habit easier.
✓ Trigger your mind. Make notes in your planner or notebook that you take to the meeting. These notes should be reminders that you have to say your opinion once or twice or more times. That way, when meeting comes along, it will help your brain trigger the habit upon seeing the note.
✓ Let the app help. You can also set this app to buzz you when it’s time for that meeting and remind you to say what you think.
✓ Reward yourself. Once you’ve gone through 10 meetings where you’re engaged, treat yourself by going out with your colleagues or friends and participating in table discussions. Nothing like celebrating by using the newly acquired habit!
Tips for beginners:
✓ Be brave. Even if you’re suffering from social anxiety or just have a tendency to check out during meetings, don’t be afraid to speak your opinion. Even if not everyone will agree with you, if you have strong claims of support, your opinion can be just as valid.
✓ Research. If you know the topic of the coming meeting, make sure to familiarize yourself with it and form an opinion in advance. Try to say your opinion or voice any concerns at the very beginning of the meeting to open up a discussion.
✓ Confidence is key. Say everything you have to say with confidence. It will help maintain professional outlook. With time, the confidence will grow and you will find this habit quite easy.
