“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.” – Anthony Robbins

It’s that time again…the monthly meeting.  You break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.  Whether you present to your managers or your employees you are saying to yourself:

• What if I mess up during my presentation?
• What if I repeat myself during my presentation?
• What if the audience doesn’t like my presentation?
• What if I forget a part of my presentation?
• What if I look nervous during my presentation?

 It’s okay!  You’re not the only one feeling this way.  The Book of Lists states that the #1 fear is public speaking.  This fear is greater than the fear of death.

Well, I have the answers to your fears and can help you become an outstanding presenter.  These 10 tips will help you gain outstanding presentation skills, overcome public speaking anxiety, and become more confident making presentations that achieve results.

1. Start with an End in Mind – Ask yourself, “Why am I speaking?”  “What do I want the audience to do after listening to my speech?”  This will help you focus on the message you want to share with your audience.  It will help you focus on who is your audience, the key points, and what you want your audience to do after listening to you.
2. Keep It Simple – Keep your presentation simple by learning to “speak to express instead of speaking to impress.”  What I mean by speaking to impress is when you see speakers using $5 words for $2 situations during speeches and they look uncomfortable doing it.  Another example of this is when presenters overuse PowerPoint.  Your audience will soon lose interest in what you are saying.

Also keep it simple with the structure of your speech.  An opening, body with tree major points, and a closing will help you connect with your audience.

Just be sincere, concise, and simple in your presentation and you will always connect with your audience.  (Read the other secrets at Presentations)

“No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.” – Barbara de Angelis. Aug. 8th is “Happiness Happens Day! What happiness will you create today?

Words to Live By – Six Ways to Breathe Life into Your Day

By Joy Fisher-Sykes

We’ve heard the instructions many times over. There is such familiarity that many people can almost recite them verbatim. In fact, these directives are so crucial; they are printed on placards and demonstrated visually by the staff. They are so important that they can’t wait until you are airborne to share. I’m talking about the life-saving instructions on what to do in case of an emergency that airline passengers receive on every flight before they’re airborne. Given without fail around the globe daily, millions often sit back and ignore flight attendants by reading a magazine, speaking to a neighbor, or simply becoming annoyed at the disruption of quiet. The highlight of the instruction says:

Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will fall from the ceiling in front of you. If you are traveling with small children, place the mask on yourself first, then place a mask on the child.

Who would have thought for decades the airline industry has been sharing with millions of people a valuable life lesson.

A Life Lesson

At first blush, this directive seems absurd. After all, when you travel with a child, an adult’s natural inclination says children first. Period. No matter the circumstance. However, consider that our emotional side is not always logical. Ponder the life lesson to be learned here. If you do not put your mask on yourself first, if you’re not breathing, how in the world can you ever help that child, yourself, or anyone else?

Learn to Breathe

Many of us choose to give our oxygen away all the time. How many times have you felt the “pressure” and a sense of not being able to cope, not able to breathe? Did you take a deep breath or did you just trudge along depleting your reserves to none? A life on empty has nothing to offer to either you or others. When we fail to see the value of taking care of self before others, we fail to see we can be of no good to anyone unless we choose to take the first breath. Sound selfish? Perhaps, however, it is the only way you can survive. Remember, lack of oxygen causes death – to the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Six Ways to Honor Yourself Daily

What holds true for life in the air holds true for the life we lead on the ground. On a daily basis practice these life-saving strategies to breathe life into your day.

1. Value Time – Time is your most precious commodity that can never be replaced or replenished. Be selective about how and with whom you choose to spend your time. Make every minute count because each is precious.
2. Cut the Umbilical Cord -  Lighten your load and learn to let go. Stop dragging around the troubles of everyone in the world. Constantly trying to solve problems for others not only weighs you down, it denies others the opportunity to learn that they can survive and thrive. Experience breeds personal growth and power. Allow those you love the opportunity to grow. Know that sometimes the best gifts you can offer are your constant love and support and allowing others to resolve their own problems.
3. Maintain Strong Bonds -  The real value in relationships is maintaining a connection. Whether you are near or far, don’t allow the busyness of life to let time slip away. Make a conscious effort to connect with friends and family on a regular basis. (Read the rest of the article at Success)

Today is the 145th observance of Memorial Day.  As we please take a moment show your appreciation and honor our men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, I would like to share the following motivational moment in history concerning those who serve:

During the very beginning of World War II, Winston Churchill visited the British Royal Air Force group #11 operations room. He was so impacted by the professionalism, bravery, and dedication of Britain’s fighter pilots, who were Britain’s only line of defense against the German Luftwaffe, that when he came out of the bunker, he turned to the Major General who accompanied him and said, “Don’t speak to me. I have never been so moved.”

After several minutes of silence, he uttered one sentence. “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.”

Today, as Americans, we must remember those same words, “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few.”

Whether you are for or against various policies to send our soldiers to war, it is still our war fighters that sacrifice and serve so that we can enjoy our freedom.  Take the time to show our appreciation and say thank you and acknowledge our motivated men and women in the Armed Forces today and everyday.