Imagine you’re speaking to an audience of human beings that are pretending to be life-sized cardboard cutouts. What can you do?You can change, that’s what! If something doesn’t work at the beginning, it’s okay to change. Even if you’ve planned on tying it to your ending. You’re not chained to something just because you’ve planned it.I gave a speech a few months back and I … Read More
Tim Ferriss + TED Talk…What Could Go Wrong?
I’m pretty accommodating when it comes to just about everything. Over the years I’ve endured some pretty bad movies, teachers, and uncomfortable situations only to describe them as, “not so bad.” In other words, I’m not much of critic. Rarely a harsh one.Sometimes, though, there comes a time when you just gotta call things out like you see ’em. I recently watched Tim … Read More
The Simple Way To Get People To Help And Support You
I used to think it was good enough to buckle down and “do it myself.” For everything.From projects to personal problems, I’d always keep them confidential. No matter what, I’d try to figure things out on my own—even if it meant avoiding the person I knew could solve my problem with a single question.I realize now that I’ve been going about it the … Read More
Why You NEED To Stay Anchored (Especially When Things Are Going Good!)
You know when you feel that life is just trudging along, you’re mentally drained, and you feel like you’re just spinning your tires?During those times it’s clear that we need to focus in on what’s important. I mean get anchored, and do it fast. Our goals. Our peace. Take a break to recharge. Whatever it is, we’re desperately searching for … Read More
Tactical Talks TOP 5: The Best Public Speaking Articles On The Web – Vol. #2
ROUND 2 OF SCAVENGING BEGINS! Each month I will scour the interwebz looking for the best articles on public speaking.I’ll be looking for topics like these:Overcoming the fear of public speakingPresentation tipsBody language and other technical speaking tipsAnd anything in between…I’m looking for the interesting, the fascinating, the practical, and anything with worthwhile information to help you become a better communicator. … Read More
Only Talk To ONE Person In The Audience & Forget Everyone Else!
There are hundreds of techniques designed to calm your nerves before a speech.Many are unique, if not border-line stupid, such as sliding a rubber band on your wrist to self-mutilate when you sense anxiety creeping up (the pain is meant to distract you from the fear). Interesting…Well, a big reason public speaking creates a butterfly mating ground in our stomach is … Read More
Are Toastmasters Speech Evaluations Any Good?
A Toastmasters meeting has a portion dedicated to evaluating speakers, so I thought I’d dedicate a portion of my own to that very subject. Such evaluations can range from good, to not so good.Evaluations: Let’s talk about the good first. Because you are focused on delivering a speech, combating nerves, etc., it’s hard to evaluate yourself while you’re speaking. And probably … Read More
Why Fear Is Good For Public Speaking (It’s Outrageous)
I’m sure you’ve heard that people fear public speaking more than death. Lately I’ve been hearing that it’s a bogus stat, but that’s beside the point. The fact that the two get compared at all gives the fear of public speaking a serious legitimacy.Just to be clear of what were talking about, it also gets called glossophobia, speech anxiety, or even “performance anxiety.” … Read More
Public Speaking Advice That You Must Watch Out For
Advice and constructive criticism are supposed to make you stronger, right?The thing is, that’s not always true.People have a tendency to pass around what they like…with little or no thought to whether it fits the person they’re giving it to.I’m not a huge fan of visual aids, but I would never tell anyone not to use them. Some people would though.They’d say, … Read More
Talking To Yourself To Overcome The Fear Of Public Speaking?
Raise your hand if you think affirmations are a pile of mystical poop.If your hand is in the air, I completely understand. I used to ignore them like junk mail from the Prince of Nigeria. [I will continue to ignore until he offers me a bigger cut of that 50 million dollar inheritance!]I mean come on. All I need to … Read More