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ARTArticle***How Relationships Are Affected By Beliefs“Why don’t you have a belief-elimination package that will help me get or improve my relationship?” we are asked regularly. Most of the eight packages we offer will significantly improve your sense of your self-confidence, which obviously will help you improve your relationships, but none of the existing packages deals specifically with relationships.
We aren’t holding out on you. If we could create such a package, we would.ARTArticle***How Things Occur For UsI generally know when I’m about to have a breakthrough, when there is a new process or way of understanding something that is on the verge of taking shape. I have glimpses of ideas and I have a sense of connections that I can’t quite put my finger on. But I know if I stay with it, something new and useful ultimately will take shape.
That’s where I am now. I think I’m about to come up with something very useful, and I’m not sure what it is yet.ARTArticle***How to Avoid Public Speaking ExcusesI love to hear the excuses my clients give for why they did not do well at their last speaking engagement. Whatever the excuse, in most cases, the real reason for this problem is lack of preparation. I cannot tell you how many people tell me that they went over their material several times and they still did not do well giving their speech or presentation.
I then ask them how they practiced and they proceed to explain that they went over it in their mind on numerous occasions. Do you know the mistake in that scenario? They went over it in their mind.ARTArticle***How to Find Your 'Real' Speaking Voice in 60 Minutes or LessRecently, I read an article about improving your voice in 7 days. While I do not agree with the writer’s suggestions or methodology, the truth is that you can actually find your ‘real’ voice in about 1 hour. Admittedly, your ‘real’ voice will not be a habit in only 60 minutes, but one of the fascinating results about the correct approach to voice training is that you will begin your hour with your old or habitual voice and you will end that hour with your real one.ARTArticle***How Voice Training Improves Your DictionWhen I first started my voice business, my husband remarked that he did not understand what my clients were saying in their ‘before’ recording. He was, however, able to understand everyone in their ‘after’ clips. Why were my clients speaking more clearly in their ‘after’ recording? While I will certainly help someone with his/or her enunciation if there is an obvious problem, accent reduction is not my specialty.ARTArticle***If You are a Whisperer, You are Doing Great Harm to Your Voice!I met a website designer named Donna at a business expo who had a wonderful, eye-catching display that was drawing large crowds of visitors. Unfortunately for Donna, she lost her voice after having spoken to perspective clients for only 1 hour. It was 10 o’clock in the morning and the expo was not going to close for 8 more hours. While her booth was bringing great traffic, she was struggling to speak. Her voice was very hoarse and very soft in volume. In addition, her throat was sore.ARTArticle***Is It Better to Speak Softly or Loudly?Neither is correct. The voice that is too loud hurts the listeners' ears -- the voice that is too soft is not being heard. In both cases, the message is being lost because listeners are unable to focus and it all boils down to volume.
I just received an email from a Public Speaking Forum in which the writer was questioning what to do with her client's loud voice. The responses from those who are professional speakers, as well as some who teach presentation skills, were interesting and varied -- none of which I would recommend.ARTArticle***Is There a Difference Between Fear and Nervousness in Public Speaking?Some people are terrified just by the thought of public speaking; other people are nervous right before and during the opening of their speech or presentation. Is there a difference between the two? Most definitely.ARTArticle***Keep Wonderment AliveChildren sure know how to have fun! They look at life whimsically and use their imagination to create the most amazing scenarios. I was recently thinking how much I needed to keep that inner child engaged in my daily life. This approach to life is beneficial for self-preservation as life is serious, but also keeps the wonderment of life alive in every moment. I remind myself to be mindful and aware of the signs of miracles and the synchronicity that lies in my everyday moments.
Here are some affirmations to keep that awe and wonderment alive!ARTArticle***Keep Your Accent - Just Learn to Speak More ClearlyWith the world becoming a huge melting pot, we are hearing accents wherever we go and whatever we listen to. This article is not about getting rid of your accent. Accents are part of what makes you, you. I would never advocate trying to eliminate it. The only problem with an accent or even a dialect is when your speech is unintelligible.ARTArticle***Kevin Spacey Is Proof That You Don't Need a Deep Voice to Have a Great VoiceMany men wish that the pitch of their speaking voice was deeper – similar to that of James Earl Jones or Vin Diesel. You don’t need to be a bass, however, to have a great speaking voice; and, Kevin Spacey is proof of it. Warm, resonant, rich and melodious, Spacey’s voice is very soothing and, given the right tone, sensual.
The voiceover for Honda, Spacey ‘sells’ their TV commercials because his voice instantly creates trust, integrity, class and value for their cars. Whether Honda’s vehicles are worthy of such praise is not the issue. Spacey’s voice makes it believable.ARTArticle***Life, Emotion, Animation – Just How Colorful Are You in Public Speaking?You can have the greatest voice in the world but if your delivery is not colorful then you are boring. There is no other way to say it. Speaking in a monotone does not sell, no matter what your business is.ARTArticle***Live in the MomentReturning to the groove of set schedules with school and school activities and all the other stressors that also come into play with this change in routine, I remind myself nothing gets accomplished any quicker if I dwell on everything all at once and look far ahead. Here are affirmations I am choosing to focus on to assist me in living in the present moment:
I choose to greet each new day with a fresh perspective; each moment in this day has not been lived.ARTArticle***Live in the PresentI have cultivated the practice of living in the here and now with much effort over the last five years. However, we live in a world that is dictated by the future, tending to rob us of the experience of the present.ARTArticle***Losing Your Voice in the Club Scene?Does this sound familiar? You go to a loud club and your friends tell you that they can’t hear you even though you’ve been talking in a louder voice. Your throat feels raw and sore or perhaps you have lost your voice after an hour or two of straining to be heard.
What you are experiencing is vocal abuse. You’ve been pushing your voice, which is not only straining your vocal cords and throat, but is not being heard in the process. This is tiring, frustrating and can lead to permanent damage.
- Your friends don’t have this problem so why do you?ARTArticle***Lovingly AssertiveARTArticle***Must You Be an Expert to Get on the Public Speaking Circuit?The answer really depends on your topic. There is one situation in which the answer would be, ‘no.’ Let’s say, for example, that you have survived a death-defying event and are being interviewed on TV to talk about your experience. Labeling yourself as an expert is a non-issue. However, if your goal in public speaking is to talk about motivation, social media, marketing, sales, etc., then the answer would most definitely be, ‘yes.’ Otherwise, why would an audience be drawn to listen to you if you were not an expert?ARTArticle***One Simple Technique That Can Change Your Life ForeverWhen I was in graduate school studying music composition, my singing professor told me that I was not using my ‘real’ voice when I spoke. I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought the voice you had was the voice you would always have. She then explained that the pitch of my habitual speaking voice was too high and that my ‘real’ or true voice was lower by several steps.ARTArticle***OptimismI have always been optimistic and positive. I find that optimism comes naturally to some and can be cultivated by most. Here are a few affirmations to encourage an optimistic view point:
I choose this mindset: If I think positive thoughts and take positive actions; I can create a positive outcome.
I believe, in full faith and trust, that I can and will create a life filled with hope for the betterment of all.ARTArticle***People Don’t Resist ChangeDo you think people resist change? ... Most people answer with an emphatic: “Yes.”
I don’t think people resist change at all.
To which you might respond: “Well if people don’t resist change, why do most people not change when given reason to change?”
Good question. Here’s my answer: Imagine that you had been doing something a certain way for a long time and you believed that you were doing it the right way. Now imagine that I come along and tell you not to do that way any more.ARTArticle***Public Speaking: Should You Thank Your Audience Or Not?There is much debate as to the idea of thanking your audience. Some suggest never doing it while others recommend it be done as your parting words. There are even those who prefer that you thank your audience twice, both in your introduction and in your closing.ARTArticle***Rejoice in Being GenuineOnce I released the need to do some of the beautiful traditions that had been a part of me for so long but had lost the authenticity for me as well as the true spirit by which they were intended, I was better able to embrace the festiveness of this season.ARTArticle***Release AngerARTArticle***Release Anger“Face it, embrace it, and then release it.” These words have been part of my healing process for years. However, the power lies in the awareness of what we need to face, own and then ultimately release. Sometimes this process may take minutes, or if we are emotionally attached to the situation it may take longer, perhaps years. The key is to recognize the process, see the situation for what it is, therefore, Face It. Understand how you are emotionally attached to the situation which is resulting in the feelings of anger; therefore, Embrace It.ARTArticle***Stop Worrying About the WHAT IF’s in Public Speaking and Start Focusing on the WHY NOT’s!So much time is wasted worrying about what could go wrong in public speaking that the tremendous opportunities provided by speaking to an audience are often overlooked. No matter what your reason for speaking – be it a requirement of your job; be it the chance to introduce your new business, service, or product to the community; be it a requirement of your presentation skills class; be it an occasion to present yourself as a political candidate – public speaking is a golden opportunity.ARTArticle***Strength in GraceARTArticle***Take the Test to See If Your Speaking Voice Is Plagued by Excessive NasalityWhen you think of Fran Drescher in her role as The Nanny, what thought first comes to mind? Her beauty or her nasal voice? For many people, their first thought is her whiny voice which, over time, can be quite annoying, even nerve-wracking, for her listeners. While Drescher’s infamous sound is typical of some who live in North Jersey or one of the five boroughs of New York City, nasality doesn’t just affect those in the Big Apple or the Garden State!ARTArticle***Telling Someone They Need Voice Improvement Is Like Handing Them a Bottle of Scope!One of the most frequent questions I hear is how do I tell my spouse, my friend, or a colleague that they need to improve their speaking voice? This really is a tough issue because if you approach someone advising them that their speaking voice needs some work, they are probably going to be offended.
If we had the ability to hear ourselves the way everyone else does, this would not be an issue.ARTArticle***The #1 Injury Super Bowl Fans Will Experience This SundayDefinitely the biggest day of the year when it comes to sporting events in America, Sunday’s Super Bowl game will result in thousands of injuries for fans that most will not take seriously. No, it is not overeating, gastric reflux, or drunken stupors. It does not involve your legs, your arms or your heart; and, it most definitely will not be life-threatening. It will, however, result in discomfort and likely some pain.ARTArticle***The 3 Benefits of Nervousness in Public SpeakingWhile you may not think that nervousness is beneficial in public speaking or for that matter in any other type of live performance, be it in the performing arts or in professional sports, the truth is that there are wonderful bonuses of the dreaded adrenaline rush. Many people, however, are unable to appreciate just what nervousness can do for them, because they have no control over it.
In truth, I would rather an individual be nervous in public speaking than not because nervousness or the increased level of stress actually increases your chances of success at the lectern.