Archive for the 'Confidence Building' Category

I recently had lunch with a friend who I haven’t seen in a long time. It was a wonderful reunion and great to catch up with her. As we sat and talked I realized that my friend spent a great deal of time apologizing. Once I heard this pattern emerge I listened more carefully. Here’s [...]

I have been going to the same dentist for ten years but we’ve never discussed what I do for a living. In fact, every time I go I make it a point to get out of there as fast as I can. But on Monday we engaged in post-Thanksgiving chit chat, and I was delighted [...]

Part 2 of 2 
 
In Part 1 of this blog we talked about the importance of teaching children public speaking skills and using The Fun Theory to make the experience enjoyable and effective. The last thing anyone wants is to raise a child who suffers from glossophobia – the fear of public speaking. Today, as many as 75% [...]

I first understood the power of storytelling early in my career when I was an actor in a small children’s reader’s theater company called the Peanut Butter Readers. Our small troupe toured in schools and libraries throughout New England and Canada dramatizing classical and modern stories. One of our favorites was Where the Wild Things Are. I have a long history with this enchanting story and I’m looking forward to seeing it on the big screen this weekend.

I took a walk today at Lake Lagunitas, one of my favorite Marin County hiking spots. This lake is part of the Marin Municipal Water District and supplies good old tap water to our entire county. It is a beautiful spot—a hidden jewel of raw wilderness just a short drive from the bustling small towns [...]

I am pleased to announce that Donne Davis, founder of the GaGaSisterhood (“Where Grandmas bond, brag and benefit”), has won free attendance at our Encore! Elegant Skills for Powerful Presentations seminar that is occurring today and tomorrow, September 29 and 30 at the Crown Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto, CA.
 
Congratulations Donne for winning [...]

And now I’d like to… (Pause…um…err…ah…). Do you ever find yourself grasping for words or losing your place in the middle of a sentence? If so, you’re not alone. This behavior is often a symptom of “under preparation,” speaking too fast or just plain nervousness. And for some people it can also be a sign [...]

You show up to your speaking engagement only to realize that your PowerPoint presentation isn’t opening, the A/V system is down, and there’s a car alarm blaring right outside the window.  There’s a full room of people eagerly waiting for you to begin and there is no turning back now. So what are you going [...]

I’m a horse racing fan and especially love the Kentucky Derby. During most racing events I don’t usually pay much attention to the jockeys. Being a horse lover, I keep my eyes glued to the elegant, glorious high performing thoroughbreds who never fail to take my breath away. But at last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby I [...]

More Lessons for the Public Speaker!
I saw an Associated Press article in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning about Doug White, a Florida man who had to land a twin engine plane he was a passenger in when the pilot became unconscious and died in the air. White had his single engine pilot’s license but [...]