Category: Helpful Tips

Increase Our Health by Speaking…Up

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Inform yourself of the latest health equipment and innovations because your doctor may not be accessible or even as informed as you are.

HealthMy own lymphedema was not diagnosed until I took the initiative of planning a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Informed patients are healthier and more active in their own treatment and proactive health. Requesting the latest tests is your right as a patient and will likely reap more benefits if you are informed and concise in your speaking style. You are your own best advocate.
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Relieve Stress by Speaking

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Release the fear valves and obstructions of years of relative silence to open up new avenues for you as a speaker.

Stress ReliefLook at life differently with fresh eyes. Speaking will result in offers of assistance from those you admire. Opportunities to be part of dynamic teams at work and volunteer groups in your communities will appear as word of your speaking prowess spreads. Leadership chances will be offered to you. Career opportunities will ease the stress of feeling locked into a one-way career.

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Rewards for Speaking

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Attention for speaking will always happen because so many people are terrified to speak.

In Front of A CrowdThe more you speak the better you become. Tangible gifts such as presents, money, awards, will eventually begin to flow your way.  Recognition of your talents will naturally begin to occur because people will know of your presence in ways formerly hidden.

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Gains from Speaking

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How will speaking help raise your self esteem?

Self EsteemCourage will grow as you speak. It is inevitable that when you face your greatest fears, you will begin to be bolder and more successful.  As admiration develops around your speaking and you delight in the applause of your peers and even strangers, you will speak more confidently and competently.  Your self esteem will gradually develop and expand like the tulip buds in spring ~ slowly at first then with grace and beauty.  It is as logical and real as nature unfolding.  Continue reading

How to Transform Fears of Public Speaking into Strengths

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With preparation and practice you can replace your panic with poise!

Fear of Public SpeakingRecently I met yet another adult who confessed to a lifelong fear and dislike of public speaking. Like many of you his fear began with an unhappy childhood experience of being forced to prepare and deliver a speech in front of classmates.

He went through school and university avoiding any classes that required participation.  Some students thrive in speaking in front of their classmates. I feel blessed to have been in that group, although one-on-one I was introspective and shy.

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First 20 Steps to Evaluating Performance

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Successful business growth relies on successful work habits. As a leader your responsibility is to enable growth through a professional, positive, constructive process of evaluation.

Excellent evaluation fosters cost effective work habits within an atmosphere that celebrates attitude towards work.

To me, an evaluation needs to be based on a genuine desire to help the person being evaluated, a willingness to put aside one’s own agenda to concentrate on someone else’s success and journey, and an understanding of personality differences, excellence, and ego.

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Four Lessons I’ve Learned from Competing in Speech Contests

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In a world that is often cold with cynicism and dark with indifference, speakers need to ignite sparks that will restore hope and energize initiative.

  1. How to create a speech for a contest
  2. How to compress a speech into a limited time frame
  3. How to channel excited energy while speaking
  4. How to want so passionately to be declared the “best” while still being able to deal with not even placing in the top three

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How to Plan a Good Meeting: Part II

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Excerpt from Speak and Lead Series by Pauline Duncan-Thrasher

Last minute rushes leave people frazzled and out of sorts. Successful meetings are well-planned meetings. Informing people in advance sends the message that you value their time as well as yours.

  • Prioritize three best meeting dates.
  • Appoint a treasurer if money is involved.
  • Create a budget.
  • Discuss suitable locations.
  • Choose a facility (location/ room set up) committee leader.
  • Plan whether and when you will provide refreshments.
  • Confirm as soon as possible place, date and time.

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How to Plan a Good Meeting: Part I

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Excerpt from Speak and Lead Series by Pauline Duncan-Thrasher

 What are key differences between a poor meeting and a good meeting?

A poor meeting lacks purpose, is clearly disorganized, wastes time and manages to aggravate the obnoxious while infuriating the calm: An ineffective chairperson mumbles or shouts, plays favourites, is easily sidetracked, unable to deal with controversy, and lacks knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Sadly we’ve all had to sit through too many poorly run, time wasting meetings.

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Speak and Lead: Good Meetings

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How can an ineffective leader become an effective chairperson? Why do some leaders make leading a meeting look so easy? What does someone need to know to lead a good meeting?

Unlike the  ineffective chairperson  who mumbles or shouts, plays favourites, is easily sidetracked and shows a general inability to deal with controversy, the effective chairperson practises the following:

  • Speaks clearly and calmly.
  • Remains objective, focused and courteous despite controversy.
  • Insists on mutual respect among participants.
  • Knows and practises parliamentary procedure.
  • Accommodates spirited debate.
  • Creates fair voting procedures.

Read more from my Speak and Lead series HERE