A Guide to Delivering a TOAST with Confidence

"I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks." 

~ Winston Churchill

Without a toast to say and share good cheer with those around you, are you really celebrating the day, the person, or the event you are attending?

It's enjoyable to get to work with a Father-of-the-Bride, a Best Man, or a Maid/Matron-of-Honor before a wedding in the public speaking work we do at Presenting Powerfully. Those toasts tend to get recorded, revisited, and let's face it, a lot of nerves and attention around them!

Still, whether it is for a wedding, or something else, the toast at an intimate dinner for two, a party for 50, a celebration of a product launch, retirement, the holidays, the New Year, or something else, is public speaking, and speaking publicly, even to a limited group can be impactful. So, have fun with it all while you take a serious look at the guide to getting the toast just right through covering these five aspects of the announcement/recognition (and please notice there is no ring to the glass, whistling, or knife/spoon making noise on the glass, either, you simply begin, and you may repeat/restate the first part (the initial "T" below to garner attention over demanding it with a harsh interruption of an abrupt sound):

T - Today/Tonight we are here to recognize/celebrate…

O - Often/Occasionally we find ourselves doing ___

A - And since/because/with that in mind, it is a pleasure to

S - Share (mention a few facts or tidbits about the person/project/event)

T - Thank you, and cheers to the person/team/holiday/couple!

If you were toasting Joe and Ronna on their engagement, you could TOAST with the following in a clear, loud voice, without apology or noise to get attention:

"Tonight we are here to celebrate and congratulate Joe and Ronna! Occasionally we get to shine this light on each of them separately, and now we get to see them glow as an engaged couple. And, because of their example of love, and kindness, and the way they make the most out of life, along with their 2 years of dating, we will soon get to see them take the next step as husband and wife. Thanks for all you do to inspire us, congratulations, and cheers! To Ronna and Joe!" (Raise glass.)

Should you be ringing in Valentine's Day, or Galentine's Day at a group event, you could stand with your drink in hand and say something like:

"Good evening! The middle of February is a wonderful time for reflecting and looking forward with love and hope in our eyes and hearts. Often it is about the romantic gestures and the traditions, and with those in mind, please know that it's also about the support and friendships we all LOVE to embrace and appreciate. In 2023, we saw two of you marry, one of you adopt a child, and three of you grow your businesses to new heights with your passion for your work...all while we each cheered one another on! We are here for each other. We inspire and pick one another up. For all of those reasons, I thank and celebrate you, and here’s to everyone here having a happy Valentine's Day that fills your heart with love!" (Raise glass.)

Once you get comfortable with the format, and embrace the flow, you will realize you can toast anyone anywhere with the TOAST method, and the honored or honorees will feel special while the guests will enjoy the impact and brevity of your sincere comments. 

So go ahead, raise a glass, and cheers to many enjoyable TOASTs in your future!

 #Toast #Celebrate #Leadership #Ihatepublicspeaking #publicspeaking

This Month's Public Speaking Tip: 6 Parts Become 4

“If you know what you want, you can have it.”
~RH Jarrett

While we have been through the six parts (not steps) to presentation prowess and public speaking success, those six are about to become four!

The parts for which we have been covering to prepare your talk, training, or pitch include the following:

1. Open-getting attention with facts/story

2. Preview-time, agenda, purpose

3. Body-sharing the information through agenda items

4. Interaction-eye contact & audience engagement

5. Summary-check purpose, agenda & do Q&A

6. Close

So, since the Close is the restating of the Open, and the Summary is the reverse order of the Preview, your four aspects to sharing information and ideas are:

1. Open/Close-Wowing and ending with facts/story

2. Preview/Summary-time, agenda, purpose to guide and review

3. Body-sharing the information through agenda items

4. Interaction-eye contact & audience engagement

Even though you may have wished your public speaking could be as easy as 1, 2, 3, it is instead as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4!!!

This Month's Public Speaking Tip: ENDS on the Close

"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story."

-Frank Herbert

Remember back in the audience when you were in a presentation and someone said "That's it!"? It can feel like a huge sigh of relief to the speaker, and yet it seems so abrupt to those watching/listening.

That is no way to end a presentation, and yet many do simply dismiss everything they did with those two words, which are sometimes followed by "any questions?", (which we already know the questions are to be addressed in the summary).

The parts for which to prepare your talk, training, or pitch include the following:

1. Open-getting attention with facts/story

2. Preview-time, agenda, purpose

3. Body-sharing the information through agenda items

4. Interaction-eye contact & audience engagement

5. Summary-check purpose, agenda & do Q&A

6. Close

The last months covered the OPEN, the PREVIEW, the BODY, the INTERACTION, the SUMMARY, and now the CLOSE is where/how you explore what best ENDS the presentation through:

E - Extend interest in the topic by revisiting the open

N - Nearing the end without being rushed

D - Doing the service of completing the cycle from start to finish with a refer-back and/or a new take on the OPEN in order to "tie the bow" on the experience

S - Say "Thank you" and leave the space/stage

Having a powerful and purposeful close means you end on a high, and importantly, the audience gets the full experience from the way you begin to the way you end, and has a true Return On Investment from the time spent with you!

#publicspeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND

Avoiding Defensiveness When Being Dismissed or Played

"No matter how beautiful the theory, one irritating fact can dismiss the entire formulism, so it has to be proven." 

~ Michio Kaku

The other day on the golf course, a male golfer who we were playing with said to me "What you need to understand is..." at that moment, as I realized what was, unfortunately, happening, my husband, Michael, put his hand gently on my arm as if to say 'I see you, even if he does not'.

I felt myself tense as the words and attitude of the speaker brought a directness that was overbearing and dismissive all at the same time.

Sure, I wanted to scream or snap back, and yet that would not have been my best moment or choice. I was not going to be played. What did I do? The same thing I encourage you to do when you are dismissed or felt like an approach someone takes with you is insulting:

1) Be thankful that person showed themselves to you, and say something like "Thanks for letting me know how you feel about that."

2) Repeat back what you heard with words like "Sounds like you believe..."

3) Bring a calm perspective with verbiage such as "Here's something to please consider..."

4) End the discussion when you want with "Let's please leave it here with this..." or "Let's please respectfully close on this..."

To follow my example, I said "Thanks for sharing your view. It sounds like you believe XYZ, and while your view is yours, please consider that it may not be that of others. Let's please leave this at being respectful of each of us having the right to believe what we believe and forcing a view, or assuming you can force a view, isn't appropriate. Thank you." We hit our balls. I was sincere in my compliments of his good shots. We had a good round. If I hadn't stood up for myself, the round would have been a waste.

So, don't be dismissed, be direct. Don't be played, be powerful. When you are grateful, confirm what you heard, stay centered, and own the end of the experience, you may have felt dismissed at first and you will likely feel empowered last! 

#DoYourBest #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND  #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #PerformanceCoaching #Growth

Public Speaking Tip - InterACTion

 A good teacher, like a good entertainer, first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson. 

~ John Henrik Clarke

Have you ever felt like someone was talking over you in a presentation, looking past you or above your head? Some public speaking tips encourage that, and it seems nuts, as we, the audience members, can tell when a speaker is not engaged with the audience at all, so don't be that public speaker.

The parts for which to prepare your talk, training, or pitch include the following, and this month, the focus is on the 4th:

1. Open

2. Preview

3. Body

4. Interaction

5. Summary

6. Close

The last months covered the OPEN, the PREVIEW, and the BODY , yet the INTERACTION is where true connection happens, and that is done through ACTing in these ways:

A - Asking questions of the audience, listening to replies, and not making anyone feel they failed. If you ask a question, be prepared to rephrase it in three ways before you answer it yourself. Do not be impatient, or it will seem like you are stressed or uncomfortable. You have thought of things and the audience is just joining in, so give them time to engage.

C - Creating various tones and timing in order to engage the interests of the audience since we follow sound and motion. Speaking in louder or hushed tones to tell a story or to emphasize information gets people intrigued by your thoughtful creativity.

T - Talking with, and throughout the entire room, meaning walk around, stop, sit, and ensure people know you are available and will be near them in some way throughout the talk. If you are using projection, black the screen at times to refocus the group, for if there is nothing on the screen, they are only interacting with you, and that creates a connection.

By the way, the interaction starts long before you begin talking. Meet people, shake their hands, and be available while sincerely interested. People who meet you and connect want you to succeed, whereas, sadly, those who see you as a stranger often look for your errors or missteps. You want the audience to gain from your being there, so give to them before, during, and after your public speaking opportunity!

#publicspeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND

Public Speaking Tip: Delivering the BODY

Since you know the 4 keys to presentation prowess include being an expert, putting the audience first, getting out of your own way, and coming from a place of gratitude, the body is where you get to share your expertise fully, and that is the topic of this July Public Speaking tip.

It's still true that the parts for which to prepare your talk, training, or pitch include:

1. Open

2. Preview

3. Body

4. Interaction

5. Summary

6. Close

The last months covered the OPEN, and the PREVIEW, it is the BODY where you get to fully share the information for the audience that they want and deserve, and in the order you previewed it. In the BODY, please 

B - Be prepared with slides, handouts or examples that engage the audience

O - Offer opportunities for the audience to respond, ask and fully experience your information and connection

D - Do have logic, pictures or stories to support an orderly approach to walking through a large topic with 2, 3 or 4 agenda points (too few is too broad and 5 or more makes for discomfort for the audience thinking the talk will be rushed)

Y - Yield to the 80% rule(s), meaning, prepare for 80% of the time allotted, know that the audience only rises to about 80% (max) of your energy, so you are not to feed off them, rather than serve it up to them kindly and sincerely

These actions will make for a prepared and thoughtful approach to keep you all involved, and with the BODY in order, you can be present for everyone present! Other aspects of the public speaking prowess we are embracing includes INTERACTION  (and that will be the topic for next month's tip)!

#publicspeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND

Previewing Your Content Post-Open

"I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter."

~ Walt Disney

People are distracted. You, as the speaker, are the leader. Remember to keep energy, stay in control, honor the audience, and set the stage!

The parts for which to prepare your talk, training, or pitch include:

1. Open

2. Preview

3. Body

4. Interaction

5. Summary

6. Close

Last month started with the OPEN, and now it is time for the PREVIEW.

The PREVIEW sets the stage for what is going to happen. It is the opportunity to:

P - Present the agenda

R - Reveal the ways to engage

E - Engage the purpose

V - Verify the time frame

I - Include others in the direction

E - Elevate the energy

W - Welcome changes, if the direction is to be tweaked

This is quick, and sounds something like this:

In the next 30 minutes, the purpose of our time together is for you to gain insights into public speaking prowess, and that will be done through the following three topics: Engaging your audience, Preparing your talk, and Delivering with impact. This is for you, about you, and you are welcome to jump in, take photos, take a break, and make the most of it all. Is there anything missed in setting the stage?"

With the PREVIEW in order, the direction will be clear and the level of engagement will be high. Expectations will be set with agreement, and then you move to the BODY (and that will be the topic for next month's tip)!

#publicspeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND

Taking Action Thoughtfully

Stop the habit of wishful thinking and start the habit of thoughtful wishes.
~ Mary Martin

There are times when something is said or done, or not said or done, when/where you are surprised, disappointed, or flat shocked, and then there are times when everything, and everyone, flows so smoothly that it is as though a script had been written with perfect direction.

While the latter may be appealing and seemingly ideal, it is also le also less likely, so what to do when there is an oddity, peculiarity, simple oversight, awkwardness, or outright rudeness occurring?

Even though emotions may be piqued in you, implore your thoughtfulness whenever you feel that cringe of "yikes" or "oops", or even "oh my!"! By checking in to cover the following, you will know when and how to address the situations:

1) Is everyone safe? Safety has to come first. If anything is unsafe, immediately engage in creating safety, taking away anything or anyone unsafe, and getting assistance as soon as possible.

2) Is this an appropriate place for me? Am I a part of this, or am I an observer? If I am an observer, and there is safety at stake, it goes back to #1, and you get engaged, even if that means stepping away to call for the right enforcement. If you are involved, and if things are getting loud, resist telling people to "calm down", or "settle down", as that often irritates people further, rather, think about saying something like "Because you both care a lot about this TOPIC, and we are not in a place for discussion, let's please move over here" or "Since you both make passionate points, would you consider stepping into the office to talk more about this?"

3) Can I add to the resolution or am going to stoke the fire? If you can add to the resolution with a calm tone and reasonable request or suggestion, super, then say something like "Respecting I am jumping in here, would you both consider..." or "Since I may be right or wrong here, is it possible that you could ..." or "Considering I am just coming up on this, is there something I can do to assist, or is everything moving in a good direction now?", and if you would likely be stoking the flame, take a breath to redirect to assisting instead of inflaming those involved. If you are not able to get there, get out, as you are not going to assist with strong comments or antagonizing others.

Keep in mind that at no point is saying something like "Shut up", "Just stop it" or "You are embarrassing me/yourselves" is likely going to tame tempers. Instead, offering calmly and quietly "You are both likely aware that this is not the time or place for this" or "You each have your reasons, and it's reasonable for all of us to take this elsewhere for now, wouldn't you agree?"

Passions run high. Beliefs beget barking ideas sometimes. Let a little play out, and keep those three considerations in mind with kids, adults, colleagues, sports fans, and any human happenings not to keep people from expressing themselves, but rather to keep people from hurting themselves and others.

When you keep the human aspect of confrontations in mind, you can remember that some times go beautifully, and others are far from it, the humane thing is to thoughtfully pay attention and be willing to be a part of getting things (and people) cooled off with nobody feeling rejected or dismissed!

#DoYourBest #Life #Living #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND #Leadership #1KindAct #Growth #EmotionalIntelligence #PerformanceCoaching #OneBeanerPerformanceCoach #LivingKindly #KindnessIsMyOwnSuperpower #Kindness #CoachsCorner #Resilience #Resiliency #Growth #LessonsLearned #Gratitude #Coopertition #Action

Owning YOUR OPENing Connection

Our team has always believed that neither cost and distance should ever prevent people from connecting with their friends and loved ones, and won't rest until everyone, everywhere is empowered with that opportunity.

~ Jan Koum

Like a specific dance, a score of music, or plays for a sports team, people can learn the standard moves, or improvise, but regardless of the venue, regularly following the steps in the planned order proves to be the most favorable approach. The same is true for presenting powerfully.

The parts for which to prepare in your talk, training, or pitch include:

1. Open

2. Preview

3. Body

4. Interaction

5. Summary

6. Close

The rest of the year, we will address these parts (and one more tips, too). This month, let's start with the OPEN!

Because how you begin is often how it flows, and how it flows is how it goes, and how it goes is how it concludes, the way you start your public speaking or presentation comments really matters!

While some call this a variety of words or phrases, I call it the OPEN, and this is absolutely NOT "I am so excited to be here" or "I had a hard time thinking of what I'd talk about today", or "I am so nervous to be here", as that is all about you, and not the audience, and it is about your experience, and not theirs!

Instead, think of the OPEN as a way to:

O - Offer energy and insights into your style

P - Participate WITH the audience, not talk AT them

E - Engage in thought and action

N - Navigate to the space and commitment you are grateful to get

In order to have something in your opening that is relevant to the audience and topic you can also tie it back into the close for continuity and professionalism. Options for ways to open after you have greeted/thanked/acknowledged the audience, include:

• A visual on the screen or music playing

• An activity that involves the entire audience

• An activity that involves only a few in the audience

• A statistic, study or fact presented directly or in a fun way

• A joke (if you are using intentional humor, and you are funny)

• A short story (which could involve humor or not)

When you start with something listed above, you get people introduced to your style, and they are quickly part of the experience, and not simply taking in you or your data! The OPEN will lead you to the PREVIEW, which we will cover next month.

So, open strong, and continue with strength for the audience, and about the audience, and watch your talk soar!

#publicspeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND

Don't "Try It", Do Your Best!

Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it.
- Sam Ewing

Yoda famously "Do or do not. There is no try" in the Star Wars franchise during the 1980 movie The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Jedi and urges him to take action rather than simply attempting something with a half-hearted effort.

We loved it in that show, and yet it seems to have landed and been left there...

Some people say "I'll try", and others say "Let's give it that old college try" when something new is proposed to them for action.

What do you think when you hear that? 

Perhaps you think they will give some effort, and that is likely what will happen...they will "try".

Trying is our way of protecting ourselves from failure. If we try and it doesn't go well, then the thought is 'oh well, at least I tried!'

Instead, if you hear someone say "I'll do my best", or "Let's give it our best" when put in a position to participate, what does that evoke? Likely you think, and feel the energy they are going to bring - their highest effort and interest - their best!

So when you consider an effort, either say yes or no to doing your best. Stop thinking 'should I try this?'. Your time and focus are worth more than a try, they deserve, and you deserve, your best.

If "try" is in your verbiage, language and outlook in other contexts, you can shift from "Give it a try" to "Give it a chance, and instead of 'Maybe - I'll try' can become "No, thank you, and if something changes, I'll let you know and change my reply".

Similarly, and often personally, when changing a habit, instead of uttering "I am trying to cut out sugar", rephrase to "Because I want to feel my best, I am in the process of eliminating sugar." This statement shares a continuum for success versus a slight effort.

Moving from the comfort, or perceived comfort of trying, and moving to doing your best allows you to celebrate your successes and learn from those efforts that don't hit the mark. Then, instead of trying and failing, you know you did your best, and you want more time or other people, or that it is not a match for you. You can move forward with intention instead of looking back with indifference.

So, let's agree - no more trying, let's get doing, and, let's do our best!!

#DoYourBest #Life #Living #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND #Leadership #1KindAct #Growth #EmotionalIntelligence #PerformanceCoaching #OneBeanerPerformanceCoach #LivingKindly #KindnessIsMyOwnSuperpower #Kindness #CoachsCorner #Resilience #Resiliency #Growth #LessonsLearned #Gratitude #Coopertition #Action

Preparation Prior to Your Talk

"There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking."

~ Jean de la Bruyere

When getting the opportunity (yes, it is an opportunity, not a "have to") to speak, remember that the moments you have the chance to share are short in comparison to the time and energy spent prepping.

While there will be tips this year on how to put together the materials and what slides to have, this tip is on preparing yourself through:

• Engaging in Emotional Intelligence and imagining what the audience will be thinking and feeling, and focusing on connecting there
• Create your presentation with your expertise driving your desire to meet the audience where they are and take them somewhere new or deeper than where they already are in regard to the topic
• Practice what you have put together by reviewing it sitting down and truly rehearsing standing up, then record it and listen to it repeatedly
• That day, be rested, grateful, and ready to share with energy and awareness of your audience by introducing yourself prior to the talk (or saying hellos to those you already know), and having a sense of connection with them sincerely

Working to be the conduit of learning and growth as you happen to speak publicly takes away much of the angst and "me-focus" by transferring nerves to energy as you engage in the "we-sharing" of presenting!

#ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #KIND #Leadership #1KindAct #Growth #EmotionalIntelligence #PerformanceCoaching #OneBeanerPerformanceCoach #LivingKindly #KindnessIsMyOwnSuperpower #Kindness #CoachsCorner #Resilience #Resiliency #Growth #LessonsLearned #Gratitude #Coopertition #PEACe #peaceful

Four Keys to Public Speaking Success!

People say “Fake it ‘til you make it,” that “You’ll get better at presenting by presenting,” to “Picture everyone in the audience naked, or look over their heads, to calm your nerves,” and “When you practice, it sounds scripted, so just shoot from the hip to sound real,” and yet these untruths are part of what makes the idea of public speaking the no. 1 fear for Americans.

Public speaking is not the problem. It’s not the issue. How public speaking is perceived and how it is incorrectly “taught” are a couple of the challenges with people being successful presenting ideas, products, and even themselves.

In the face of all this presentation confusion, how do we increase our presentation prowess? It’s by overcoming all that ill-advised counsel with truths and practical, useful tips that are readily implementable. The four keys to presenting beyond public speaking fears and misperceptions are:

1)  Be an expert on the topic, and don’t be concerned if other experts are there too. It’s a presentation, not a competition.

2) Put the audience first by setting a goal for them, about them.

3) Get out of your own way by being present and not being concerned about how you look, sound, or the day you had before presenting, or what you have going on after presenting.

4) Come from a place of gratitude, with thoughts and comments of “I get to present today at 1:00 p.m. on our first quarter 2019 outlook” rather than “I have to speak on the 2019 number later today.”

About those lies…here are the truths:

Specifically, resist “faking it ‘til you make it” by focusing on making it about what you are doing until you make it to the next step, and onto the next step, and ultimately to the subsequent results. Make it about sharing and learning, and then you don’t have to fake your interest or your effort.

Let go of the notion that you’ll get better at speaking by speaking. Sadly, you will simply get used to being average, at best, if you do not change how you are speaking. You will get comfortable speaking, and yet average and comfortable are not likely huge draws for audiences. How you improve speaking is by engaging the audience, keeping your ego out of your efforts and off the stage. When you have that all set, you can let your personality shine and your persuasiveness connect.

#IHatePublicSpeaking #PublicSpeaking #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment

Check in on your HEART with HEART

"Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success."

~ Swami Sivananda

When we speak with passion, we put our hands to our hearts, and when we are sad, we say we have a broken heart. Our hearts flutter, skip a beat, and keep us going...no matter how we frame their existence!

If we are willing to check in on our heart, it means we check in on how we think, feel, desire, and anticipate what is going on and what may either be lost or in the future.

To really make the most of our whole heart is to do all of the following:

H - Have faith that we know what is best for us in matters of life and love

E - Enjoy the people and experiences we get to have around us

A - Appreciate what we learn and what we have to learn

R - Realistically set expectations for our capacity and that of others

T - Take charge of our responsibilities and opportunities

While our heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system, and the heart is what keeps us going, it is also our expression of passion, compassion, grief and glee, so when it comes to matters of the heart, everything about the heart matters!!!!

#ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #PerformanceCoaching #Kind #OneBeanerPerformanceCoach #LivingKindly #KindnessIsMyOwnSuperpower #Kindness #CoachsCorner #WorkdayWakeUp

Lessons Learned: Observations from Keynoting in 2021

 As grateful as I am to have been able to give away a lot of remote work content in 2020, it was good to (finally) get back to keynoting to kick off a full conference this month!

Was I excited? Yes! Was I nervous? Yes! Was this different? No, there's consistently excitement and nerves because I am grateful and care, and yet these feelings of excitement were intensified and the sense of nerves was about remembering the ways to give the audience the best so they did not miss out.

Please don't get me wrong, each engagement over the 15 years of business is special, has my gratitude, and gets some nerves for ensuring all is outstanding. This July, though, was a return to a full hotel, full conference, and fully lighted stage production, and that was WONDERFULLY familiar and a HAPPY RETURN to a scene that was once far more typical in a day, week, or month.

The lessons learned included the following:

• It's still the responsibility of the speaker (me, in this case) to engage, entertain, keep attention, stay on time, and give meaningful, sincere tips!
• Sincerely engaging and story-telling are now, more than ever, the way people relate to messaging.
• People are genuinely excited to be in a room seeing and feeling someone speak and connect, and allowing time for people to share has expanded, as the interest and desire to be seen and heard has grown, so don't rush people, and plan to stick around after.
• Gratitude, kindness, and grace have not, and will not, go out of fashion or style on or off the stage!

So, if you have the opportunity to speak, do, and give from your heart, energy, and expertise freely, with practice, preparation, and anticipation of the enjoyment you and the audience will have!

A Lesson from 10,000 Steps to Sunrise

At the time of writing this, it was day 40 of what I am calling 10,000 Steps to Sunrise. Getting in 10,000 steps each day has been part of my day for quite a while.

Being the Chair of The American Heart Association's Circle of Red, being active, and simply being my own health advocate, I find the tracking a challenge and sense of success to know I am doing something good for my body (and mind) each day.

Since I am "Grounded" and most of my typical business is outside my home location, it was my decision to drive up the goal and get to 10,000 steps before sunrise Monday through Saturday and 10,000 steps before sunset each Sunday.

Throughout this longer-than-expected journey on foot, my mind, and my heart gained perspective and many ideas.

The lessons learned from this (still continuing) experiment include:

1) There is a calm in the morning where ideas flow without resistance
2) People who work out at the same time each day (I have worked out between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM since 1992) appreciate their personal space and yet have a connectivity to others who enjoy that same time to feed their movement needs/desires
3) Speaking up and out in the morning with a friendly "Hello" can make someone's day start positively (even if they don't acknowledge you back)
4) Focusing on those who engage versus wondering the reasons people do not means having joy ready and waiting each day

So, even if you do or don't strive for the 10,000 step accomplishment, please think about how your goals and activities can impact and or include others in subtle and grand ways.

I'll continue to make the 10,000 Steps to Sunrise a priority while in this new temporary time with gratitude for my walking and running partners, Lynn, Supna, and Michael, and even when we move forward without being "grounded", I'll certainly continue to embrace these lessons learned!

#PresentingPowerfully
#LearnWithAndThroughOthers
#LifeLongLearning
#ComplementaryThoughts
#BeInspired
#LearnWithAndThroughOthers

A Lesson from Kindness Encounters!

While I am happy to be a part of many groups and organizations, it is interesting to see what people will promote or devote time to online.

One of the communities I am in focuses on KINDNESS. Oh, that is right up my alley, so it was exciting to get invited to be connected there!

With everything happening in the world, where it seems like some people are more concerned with hoarding than being considerate, it seemed this group would be a super reprieve for these "odd days".

I shared in that private group that my new hashtag is #KindnessNeedNotBeQuarantined and posted the hashtag there with a story about a trip to Costco and being nice to one another.

Someone took a shot at that by posting that I was taking jobs from workers by moving the carts out of the way in the parking lot. I thought, like I typically do, that she had the right to her view, and opted not to reply. It made me sad, though, as this person who was approved and/or invited in, was so quick to attack, and so fast to abandon kindness.

What I learned there was that some people believe kindness or being nice or considerate is ONLY the way they define it. Sadly, they are being judgmental, and in effect, not at kind in their ways.

So, please, let's be kind, even if that means not agreeing or not responding. After all, kindness and judgment are not adjacent, they are opposing mindsets...and kindness guides growth where judgment simply limits!

Removing the un in unLUCKY!

During these times of feeling uncertain, uneasy, and even unlucky in situations, scheduling and even in life, in general,
make the most of your opportunities through the use of LUCKY-ness, meaning:

L - Limiting negativity and supposition,
U - Understanding your need for rest and rejuvenation (and honoring it),
C - Creating a community that supports one another,
K - Keeping a perspective on what IS going well and how to maintain it,
Y - Yielding not to the temptation of panic and paranoia.

When you own the unLUCKY, you can own the LUCKY, and therefore, remove the "un" in the way you handle your path and position!

Make Time to OWN Your Time

"If you're not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life."

~ Penny Marshall

American Actress.

(1942 - 2018)

#QUOTE

#PresentingPowerfully

#CreateYourCommunity

#LearnWithAndFromOthers

So many people say things like "I don't have time for...", and/or "I didn't have time to get that done", and/or "If I only had time...". These are common, and yet, not sensible, as time is set, finite, and cannot be made into more or taken away.

Still, time is something some people chase, and that some people dread. What to do, right?

Time "Management" is a part of the process of addressing time ownership, and yet that "Management" is less important than our perspective and our relationship with the clock, and, specifically with the seconds, minutes and hours in our days!  Here is a list of the Savvy 7 for Not Succumbing to the Battle with the Clock, and for Saying Goodbye to Wasted Moments while Maximizing Every Minute:

1. Eliminate lists, schedule all & have buffers built-in. Yes, it reads "NO LISTS", and yet you can make a list, simply take the list and convert it to calendar items in order to really give them their "place". This will ease your subconscious wondering when you'll get to the "to-do" items.

 2. Prioritize & ask priority when people request you do something. Instead of thinking you "have to" get something done, ask when it is anticipated. Using expressions such as "Since I am working on X, when do you anticipate you want Y done?"


3. Start early & complete the worst thing first. If you tackle what you dread or dislike initially, it will be accomplished. If you do not, you may inadvertently take longer to do things in between, and eventually postpone what you have on your "dread-to-do" mind.


4. Learn to say "no" & resist "Busy-ness". When asked how you are, skip "I'm busy" and skip asking people if they are busy. If you get asked "Are you busy?", then say "Thanks for asking, it's been productive." Similarly, say "No" or "No, thank you" to requests that are not of interest. Get out of your way of feeling obliged or apologetic.


5. Time chunk & allow time to be real and it's use a tangible part of your process (not a hope you can get it done). Think in terms of 20 minutes. Time yourself. Get used to what you can accomplish in 20 minutes and then reserve 20 minute chunks for people and for accomplishing things. Hope is not a strategy, so stop hoping you'll get it all done, and know what you can get done!



6. Focus solely on something (no multi-tasking). Multitasking is really "Switch Tasking", meaning our minds have to switch back and forth, so stop forcing that extra effort and make time for doing something, or a portion of something before altering focus to something else. Resist the temptation that multitasking is useful or even possible, and you'll see and feel how much you get accomplished, really!


7. Create organizing systems (mental & physical) that work for you. People can have varied systems, and yet having a system is key. Make your piles, populate your folders, set reminder. Stick with it rather than being scattered and/or being tempted to use sticky notes as a method!


Having ownership of your time is about being in control, and therefore ready for most anything, so tackle it, embrace it, and let go of time having a hold on you as you enjoy your opportunities and challenges in the time they deserve!

7 Steps to Video Success

Video is a lot of the way we communicate with others, and often, in my practice, people ask for a process or formula for making a video worth watching and communicating a message.

Here's a 7 step approach that tends to work, and is different than many that are out there, as it doesn't involve introducing oneself first. 

Give it a shot with these steps:

1. Pose a question
2. Offer a "did you know..." or goal
3. Introduce yourself briefly
4. Address issue (2-4 points, option: add story)
5. Recap the approach
6. Thank the viewer
7. State your name and contact

Have fun, share your expertise,and video on! 

Put a Pin ON It!

There's a song about "put a ring on it", and much like that lyric, this is about "put a pin on it", or rather "put a pin under it"!

While the song is about a ring and marriage, this tip is about a safety pin and your clothes.

Male or female, you can be prepared for you or others by putting a safety pin under your hem on your pants, coat, or even a dress or skirt.

Simply pin one under where it won't be seen, and should you or someone have an unraveled something, a broken shoelace or slingback, or a blouse that is a little too revealing for comfort, you have the solution!

(When going to a formal event, two or more are useful - those types of gatherings tend to have more uses for pins than others!)