By Shirley Carolan
The first Journaling class this week was a huge success! The class was small but very inter-active. We covered a lot of territory, from theory to exercises, questions, to sharing and gaining clarity.
The joy of teaching something that can significantly impact the lives of others for the better is its own reward!
Many years ago I read, and gave a lot of lip service to Marsha Sinetar's best-selling book "Do What You Love And The Money Will Follow!" That philosophy bore itself out last night. It reinforced what I'd known for ages. Get out of my comfort zone, take a risk, communicate with others, and teach something I am passionate about!
This Journaling class falls on the heels of a very successful August, "Goal Setting" class. Now, I know it's not a fluke, or coincidence, folks are interested in learning more about practical, hands-on, stimulating activities, and actions they can implement, to change their lives for the better!
These two classes "Goal Setting" and "Journaling" are definitely complementary and can be combined into one powerful half-day workshop. However, for the time being, I will promote them separately at a special "introductory rate." Therefore, stay tuned for upcoming October workshops. Tentative classroom reservations have been made for "Goal Setting" on October 18 and October 25, same time and place. All students will get a reminder of this in my monthly newsletter.
Happy Journaling Everyone!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Phone/Fax: 750-732-0663
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Friday, September 29, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
HELP! I'm Looking for a Tech Partner
By Shirley M. Carolan
Are you very good at the technical side of a business, website design, Pod casting, converting manuscripts into eBooks, eBook compiler? Are you cover savvy? Can you produce CDs with attractive labels? Do you love the technical side of a business but hate the writing, editing, promoting end of it? Do you have clients who use your technical skills but you can't help them with their written needs?
If you answered YES to the above, then we need to communicate. I am passionate about words, writing all kinds of business materials, editing, interviewing business owners and writing profiles for magazines, etc. I love the creative side of business but hate the technical stuff.
Recently, clients have asked me why I don't sell CDs and eBooks, etc. at my seminars. It's because I am not savvy technically and don't have the patience to learn the technical stuff. But, I would like to partner with someone who has the technical skills. That person could be you!
Please read the articles I've posted on this Blog and also go to my website at http:// www.shirleycarolan.com to find out more about my background and writing expertise. If you are then interested, please contact me at 760-732-0663.
Thank you.
Shirley M. Carolan
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Carolan Communications
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Are you very good at the technical side of a business, website design, Pod casting, converting manuscripts into eBooks, eBook compiler? Are you cover savvy? Can you produce CDs with attractive labels? Do you love the technical side of a business but hate the writing, editing, promoting end of it? Do you have clients who use your technical skills but you can't help them with their written needs?
If you answered YES to the above, then we need to communicate. I am passionate about words, writing all kinds of business materials, editing, interviewing business owners and writing profiles for magazines, etc. I love the creative side of business but hate the technical stuff.
Recently, clients have asked me why I don't sell CDs and eBooks, etc. at my seminars. It's because I am not savvy technically and don't have the patience to learn the technical stuff. But, I would like to partner with someone who has the technical skills. That person could be you!
Please read the articles I've posted on this Blog and also go to my website at http:// www.shirleycarolan.com to find out more about my background and writing expertise. If you are then interested, please contact me at 760-732-0663.
Thank you.
Shirley M. Carolan
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Carolan Communications
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 10, 2006
JOURNALING -- What's in it for YOU?
By Shirley M. Carolan
What is Journaling? Why bother to journal? Does it really work? At the outset, I'd like to define "Journaling" as opposed to "Keeping a Diary," because a lot of folks confuse the two, which does neither of them justice. They both have their rightful place in our lives.
In a nutshell, a Journaling is a very personal record of events in your life and how they have impacted you, and/or have aroused specific feelings, both positive and negative. It's a laying bare of your soul, or your fundamental nature. It helps you identify who pushes your buttons and why. This knowledge can help you to change old habits, limiting beliefs, or giving your power away to others! YOU remain in control of your own destiny! At any given moment in time, YOU know exactly where you stand, and how you feel about important issues, i.e., people, places, and things in your life!
Whereas, when I think of a Diary, I think in terms of my "Daytimers" which outlines daily appointments, times, places, purposes, etc. It's a good place to list expenses involved in such meetings or business appointments, i.e., meals, tips, mileage, tolls, parking, gasoline, etc. It certainly is an invaluable tool when preparing income tax returns for the IRS. A Diary then is a very impersonal way of recording your life's events. At any given point in time you can look back in your Diary and see where you were, what you did, and who else was in the picture. Again, a very impersonal way of looking at your life but one that has its own merits.
Why Journal? The reasons and benefits are myriad and encompass the whole gamut of human emotions, beliefs, attitudes, values, lifestyles… from the therapeutic to the miracle of wanting to change outmoded responses, or behavior that no longer serves you, to discovering the real YOU, and what makes you tick!
Does it really work? Absolutely! But don't take my word for it. Instead do the following exercise, and see what you come up with:
Sit quietly for a moment with pad and pen/pencil at hand. Ask yourself the following question "How happy am I with my life right now? If I could rank it on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, how would I rank it? Why did I give it that particular rank? Is there something I feel is still missing from my life? What is it? How can I have it, be it, or do it?
Once you have truthfully written down the answers to the above questions, you have just started on the wonderful road to Journaling. For many, it's a road to recovery, of reclaiming the self, reclaiming the power they have given away. For others, it's clarification of the choices they have made so far in this lifetime. And yet for others, it's a signal that the goals they have set for themselves are valid and worthy of attainment, or the answers could be entirely the reverse. Remember, it's your life and it's unique to YOU!
Not quite convinced? Then, here are a few more benefits to be gleaned from Journaling:
· Gain Clarity - about your life and world around you
· Learn Forgiveness – especially for past mistakes
· Prioritize what’s important to YOU!
· Let go of Anxiety, especially of things you can't control
· Take Action, instead of lettings others decided for you
Obviously, this is not an all-inclusive list. As you gain more clarity and confidence in your journaling, you will come up with your own list of benefits! This list is merely to help you keep up your journaling by reviewing some of its benefits! Make no mistake about it, journaling is a journey, just like life. I guarantee you, it will not be boring! Best of all, Journaling is the perfect complement to Goal Setting!
If you would like more information on Journaling, why not join me in a two session workshop on September 20 and September 27. You will get your own workbook, with on-going exercises to do, both in and out of class, meet other folks who want to take charge of their destiny, and who knows, you may end up with a best seller on your hands! Just go to my website www.shirleycarolan.com for more information.
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
Carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net.
What is Journaling? Why bother to journal? Does it really work? At the outset, I'd like to define "Journaling" as opposed to "Keeping a Diary," because a lot of folks confuse the two, which does neither of them justice. They both have their rightful place in our lives.
In a nutshell, a Journaling is a very personal record of events in your life and how they have impacted you, and/or have aroused specific feelings, both positive and negative. It's a laying bare of your soul, or your fundamental nature. It helps you identify who pushes your buttons and why. This knowledge can help you to change old habits, limiting beliefs, or giving your power away to others! YOU remain in control of your own destiny! At any given moment in time, YOU know exactly where you stand, and how you feel about important issues, i.e., people, places, and things in your life!
Whereas, when I think of a Diary, I think in terms of my "Daytimers" which outlines daily appointments, times, places, purposes, etc. It's a good place to list expenses involved in such meetings or business appointments, i.e., meals, tips, mileage, tolls, parking, gasoline, etc. It certainly is an invaluable tool when preparing income tax returns for the IRS. A Diary then is a very impersonal way of recording your life's events. At any given point in time you can look back in your Diary and see where you were, what you did, and who else was in the picture. Again, a very impersonal way of looking at your life but one that has its own merits.
Why Journal? The reasons and benefits are myriad and encompass the whole gamut of human emotions, beliefs, attitudes, values, lifestyles… from the therapeutic to the miracle of wanting to change outmoded responses, or behavior that no longer serves you, to discovering the real YOU, and what makes you tick!
Does it really work? Absolutely! But don't take my word for it. Instead do the following exercise, and see what you come up with:
Sit quietly for a moment with pad and pen/pencil at hand. Ask yourself the following question "How happy am I with my life right now? If I could rank it on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, how would I rank it? Why did I give it that particular rank? Is there something I feel is still missing from my life? What is it? How can I have it, be it, or do it?
Once you have truthfully written down the answers to the above questions, you have just started on the wonderful road to Journaling. For many, it's a road to recovery, of reclaiming the self, reclaiming the power they have given away. For others, it's clarification of the choices they have made so far in this lifetime. And yet for others, it's a signal that the goals they have set for themselves are valid and worthy of attainment, or the answers could be entirely the reverse. Remember, it's your life and it's unique to YOU!
Not quite convinced? Then, here are a few more benefits to be gleaned from Journaling:
· Gain Clarity - about your life and world around you
· Learn Forgiveness – especially for past mistakes
· Prioritize what’s important to YOU!
· Let go of Anxiety, especially of things you can't control
· Take Action, instead of lettings others decided for you
Obviously, this is not an all-inclusive list. As you gain more clarity and confidence in your journaling, you will come up with your own list of benefits! This list is merely to help you keep up your journaling by reviewing some of its benefits! Make no mistake about it, journaling is a journey, just like life. I guarantee you, it will not be boring! Best of all, Journaling is the perfect complement to Goal Setting!
If you would like more information on Journaling, why not join me in a two session workshop on September 20 and September 27. You will get your own workbook, with on-going exercises to do, both in and out of class, meet other folks who want to take charge of their destiny, and who knows, you may end up with a best seller on your hands! Just go to my website www.shirleycarolan.com for more information.
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
Carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net.
Friday, September 08, 2006
AGONIZING OVER A TITLE?
All week long I've been agonizing over a title for my next article. I thought of calling it "Is Your Content Showing?" but wasn't sure folks would get it, especially since I'm writing a series of articles about speaking or, putting material together for speeches. A good cop out would be "10 Reasons Speeches Bomb!" But, I know if I asked 10 different people what they thought were good reasons speeches bomb, I would get 10 different answers, and many of them wouldn't match the ones I've come up with, so that won't do. H'm. Methinks I'll ruminate on this a little longer. After all, I'm writing from my own perspective, and 25 years with Toastmasters International. Of course, I could have more than 10 reasons speeches bomb, I could have 25, 50, 100...
Now I'm getting into the eBook stage, and that's a topic for another time. Meanwhile, if you have any better title suggestions, I'm all ears. Just leave a comment on the link provided at this site. Thank you.
Now I'm getting into the eBook stage, and that's a topic for another time. Meanwhile, if you have any better title suggestions, I'm all ears. Just leave a comment on the link provided at this site. Thank you.
"WHAT'S IN A TITLE?"
WHAT'S IN A TITLE?©
By Shirley Carolan, ATM
What's in a title, or WIT? Everything! The title of any piece, oral or written should accurately, and briefly, convey your message …or, your purpose, product or service. That may sound like a tall order. But today, with 30 second sound bites as introductions, a title is in the same category. Actually, a title always was a sound bite, or teaser, especially for folks who wanted to impart knowledge.
Whether you are writing a speech, book, an eBook, Blog, an article, or presenting a seminar, it's vital to give the audience a clear idea of what you are going to speak or write about. A truthful or stimulating title goes a long way in accomplishing this, Thus, the audience can/will determine whether the speech, article, blog, seminar, etc. is worth the investment of their time and money!
Conversely, a wrong, or misleading title, can break an otherwise credible person and ruin their fine reputation. Once this happens. it is very difficult to re-establish credibility with an audience because the audience feels that is has been duped!
Titles, therefore, should play a major role in all your marketing pieces, your repertoire, your reputation! It takes some creativity and imagination to come up with a title that will catapult you above your competition! It means selecting only titles that best reflect who and what you are! As you read this, I hope you will give careful consideration to your next public presentation. Is the title worthy of you? If not, brainstorm it with others who know and understand what it is you are trying to share or achieve.
Following are two examples I experienced that I feel illustrate the importance of a title, and/or the making or breaking of a reputation:
1. A colleague urged me to attend a seminar, at a local community center, where a well- known Pastor was giving a presentation. She told me his topic was very metaphysical and that I would get a lot out of it. I relied on her judgment and was expecting to hear a specific topic unfold. Alas, I waited, and waited, and waited but the Pastor never talked about the subject I had paid good money to hear. Instead, I felt it was a total waste of my time, money and energy! The next day my friend called and said "Wasn't he (the Pastor) fantastic!?" I had to admit that "No, he wasn't fantastic and he certainly did not live up to the billing or topic that I wanted to hear!" She responded "Oh, well, I wrote that press release for the news media."
I was shocked. Methinks she did this man a great disservice as well as possible damage to his reputation because he certainly did not live up to the billing he got in the press!
2. Recently, I was killing time in a bookstore, and scanning various books on different subjects when lo and behold a title leaped out at me "Hitler's Pope," the secret history of Pius XII, by John Cornwell, Viking Press. I was both fascinated and appalled by the synopsis of this untold story of Eugenio Pacelli's rise to power as Pope Pius XII, especially since I lived in war-torn Europe during his reign (1939-1958). So, I decided to purchase the book. It has more than lived up to its title and I have learned some indisputable facts about Austria-Hungary, the Serbian obsession for dominance, the Pope's unprecedented quest for more papal control and power thus aiding Hitler's rise to power. Indeed. I have not been able to put the book down! It is history in the making, it answers many questions without malice or subterfuge, and it gives new meaning to a catastrophe of unprecedented human magnitude. I highly recommend this book to everyone on many levels.
Interestingly, if this book had been entitled "The Life and Times of Pius XII," or, "The Life and Times of a Wartime Pope" etc. I probably would not have purchased it. But, "Hitler's Pope" hit me between the eye balls. Historians, clerics, libraries and schools should all have a copy of it.
So, there you have it … two very different impacts a title has had upon me; one a seminar, the other a book! One experience left me cold, the other leads me to want to share it with others!
To recap, a meaningful title:
· Must convey its true message/content.
· No window dressing, or whitewashing (the material)
· Be short and to the point
· Can be controversial
· Shake up the status quo
· Provoke feelings
· Inspire, motivate, or persuade
· Capture the imagination
Here are some titles that work for me: Gone With The Wind, Atlas Shrugged, Tobacco Road, Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Valley, Man's Search for Meaning, Wuthering Heights, On The Waterfront, War and Peace, Hitler's Pope!
As you put your material together for your next presentation, treat your title as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle. You'll be glad you spent the extra time and effort, and watch how your audience reacts to you from the get go!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirey Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net .
By Shirley Carolan, ATM
What's in a title, or WIT? Everything! The title of any piece, oral or written should accurately, and briefly, convey your message …or, your purpose, product or service. That may sound like a tall order. But today, with 30 second sound bites as introductions, a title is in the same category. Actually, a title always was a sound bite, or teaser, especially for folks who wanted to impart knowledge.
Whether you are writing a speech, book, an eBook, Blog, an article, or presenting a seminar, it's vital to give the audience a clear idea of what you are going to speak or write about. A truthful or stimulating title goes a long way in accomplishing this, Thus, the audience can/will determine whether the speech, article, blog, seminar, etc. is worth the investment of their time and money!
Conversely, a wrong, or misleading title, can break an otherwise credible person and ruin their fine reputation. Once this happens. it is very difficult to re-establish credibility with an audience because the audience feels that is has been duped!
Titles, therefore, should play a major role in all your marketing pieces, your repertoire, your reputation! It takes some creativity and imagination to come up with a title that will catapult you above your competition! It means selecting only titles that best reflect who and what you are! As you read this, I hope you will give careful consideration to your next public presentation. Is the title worthy of you? If not, brainstorm it with others who know and understand what it is you are trying to share or achieve.
Following are two examples I experienced that I feel illustrate the importance of a title, and/or the making or breaking of a reputation:
1. A colleague urged me to attend a seminar, at a local community center, where a well- known Pastor was giving a presentation. She told me his topic was very metaphysical and that I would get a lot out of it. I relied on her judgment and was expecting to hear a specific topic unfold. Alas, I waited, and waited, and waited but the Pastor never talked about the subject I had paid good money to hear. Instead, I felt it was a total waste of my time, money and energy! The next day my friend called and said "Wasn't he (the Pastor) fantastic!?" I had to admit that "No, he wasn't fantastic and he certainly did not live up to the billing or topic that I wanted to hear!" She responded "Oh, well, I wrote that press release for the news media."
I was shocked. Methinks she did this man a great disservice as well as possible damage to his reputation because he certainly did not live up to the billing he got in the press!
2. Recently, I was killing time in a bookstore, and scanning various books on different subjects when lo and behold a title leaped out at me "Hitler's Pope," the secret history of Pius XII, by John Cornwell, Viking Press. I was both fascinated and appalled by the synopsis of this untold story of Eugenio Pacelli's rise to power as Pope Pius XII, especially since I lived in war-torn Europe during his reign (1939-1958). So, I decided to purchase the book. It has more than lived up to its title and I have learned some indisputable facts about Austria-Hungary, the Serbian obsession for dominance, the Pope's unprecedented quest for more papal control and power thus aiding Hitler's rise to power. Indeed. I have not been able to put the book down! It is history in the making, it answers many questions without malice or subterfuge, and it gives new meaning to a catastrophe of unprecedented human magnitude. I highly recommend this book to everyone on many levels.
Interestingly, if this book had been entitled "The Life and Times of Pius XII," or, "The Life and Times of a Wartime Pope" etc. I probably would not have purchased it. But, "Hitler's Pope" hit me between the eye balls. Historians, clerics, libraries and schools should all have a copy of it.
So, there you have it … two very different impacts a title has had upon me; one a seminar, the other a book! One experience left me cold, the other leads me to want to share it with others!
To recap, a meaningful title:
· Must convey its true message/content.
· No window dressing, or whitewashing (the material)
· Be short and to the point
· Can be controversial
· Shake up the status quo
· Provoke feelings
· Inspire, motivate, or persuade
· Capture the imagination
Here are some titles that work for me: Gone With The Wind, Atlas Shrugged, Tobacco Road, Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Valley, Man's Search for Meaning, Wuthering Heights, On The Waterfront, War and Peace, Hitler's Pope!
As you put your material together for your next presentation, treat your title as another piece of the jigsaw puzzle. You'll be glad you spent the extra time and effort, and watch how your audience reacts to you from the get go!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
Speaker/Writer/Coach
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
www.shirleycarolan.com
http://smcarolan.blogspot.com
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirey Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net .
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP COMPLETED
It is with great joy I tell you that my 2-session workshop on "Goal Setting" ended last week, and, it was a resounding success! The interaction of the participants was marvelous and added to my learning experience.
Everyone liked the workbook I wrote and even the clip art got a giggle. The evaluation forms were very rewarding too. So it looks like I will be writing and conducting an on-going series of self-development workshops. My next one is scheduled for September 20 and 27th, the same time and place. The subject is "Journaling." Please go to my website for more information www.shirleycarolan.com.
Shirley M. Carolan
Everyone liked the workbook I wrote and even the clip art got a giggle. The evaluation forms were very rewarding too. So it looks like I will be writing and conducting an on-going series of self-development workshops. My next one is scheduled for September 20 and 27th, the same time and place. The subject is "Journaling." Please go to my website for more information www.shirleycarolan.com.
Shirley M. Carolan
'SHOW... DON'T TELL
Today's Tip: "SHOW DON'T TELL!"
Fine-tuning your presentation skills is an on-going goal for Toastmasters and professional speakers alike. Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to assess your material to see how and where you can improve. Delivery can only accomplish so much. What about your content? Storytelling is an excellent way to accomplish this. A personal story, that is relevant to your purpose, and has a strong message, will go a long way in getting an audience to listen intently, take you seriously, and, if desired, move them to take action! Yet, I am amazed how many speakers overlook this important fact.
Obviously, the mantra here is not to tell a story for the sake of telling a story, or for filling up space and time. A compelling story is a supportive part of your message. Good speakers know this and do their utmost to deliver something of value to their audience.
Often, what separates an amateur speaker from a professional one is the relevancy and timeliness of a personal story, so that the audience can chew on the information and decide what to do with it. Amateurs usually tell an interesting story of something they did, saw, or visualized, but they omit the most important part of the story…How did it change their lives? What lesson did they learn from the experience. What would they do now that they would not do before? What is the "message: they want others to get?
The next time you are tempted to tell your audience a story of something that happened to you, STOP, and think the story all the way through. Instead of just "telling" them start "showing" them how it has impacted or changed your life for the better! If your goal is to persuade the audience to make some changes in their lives, you need to share what changes your experience/story has brought about in your life!
Use your own experience as a metaphor for change, for hope and for inspiration! For example, my most powerful presentation is when I talk about my first "Firewalk" experience. I stress: how I overcame tremendous fears to walk on the hot coals; what the experience was like, how I confronted my outworn behavior, habits, and limiting beliefs – how I chose to change my old way of life, and stop blaming others (for the way my life had turned out). Thus, the audience can relate to my fears and the courage it took to let go of what wasn't working in my life.
In summary, when you are ready to share your next story, or experience, with an audience, ask yourself the following questions:
● What's in this for my audience? What are the BENEFITS?
● What can they learn from my experience? Courage, change attitude, etc?
● How did this experience change my life? Stopped procrastinating?
● What can I do NOW that I wouldn't do before? Take more risks?
● What did I learn most from this experience? I CAN do it?
You will be amazed at how the audience will react to you when they know you are being genuine, are coming from the heart and not the head! They will listen, admire you, and want to follow your lead. What better way to captivate and move an audience!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
www.shirleycarolan.com
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirey Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net .
Fine-tuning your presentation skills is an on-going goal for Toastmasters and professional speakers alike. Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to assess your material to see how and where you can improve. Delivery can only accomplish so much. What about your content? Storytelling is an excellent way to accomplish this. A personal story, that is relevant to your purpose, and has a strong message, will go a long way in getting an audience to listen intently, take you seriously, and, if desired, move them to take action! Yet, I am amazed how many speakers overlook this important fact.
Obviously, the mantra here is not to tell a story for the sake of telling a story, or for filling up space and time. A compelling story is a supportive part of your message. Good speakers know this and do their utmost to deliver something of value to their audience.
Often, what separates an amateur speaker from a professional one is the relevancy and timeliness of a personal story, so that the audience can chew on the information and decide what to do with it. Amateurs usually tell an interesting story of something they did, saw, or visualized, but they omit the most important part of the story…How did it change their lives? What lesson did they learn from the experience. What would they do now that they would not do before? What is the "message: they want others to get?
The next time you are tempted to tell your audience a story of something that happened to you, STOP, and think the story all the way through. Instead of just "telling" them start "showing" them how it has impacted or changed your life for the better! If your goal is to persuade the audience to make some changes in their lives, you need to share what changes your experience/story has brought about in your life!
Use your own experience as a metaphor for change, for hope and for inspiration! For example, my most powerful presentation is when I talk about my first "Firewalk" experience. I stress: how I overcame tremendous fears to walk on the hot coals; what the experience was like, how I confronted my outworn behavior, habits, and limiting beliefs – how I chose to change my old way of life, and stop blaming others (for the way my life had turned out). Thus, the audience can relate to my fears and the courage it took to let go of what wasn't working in my life.
In summary, when you are ready to share your next story, or experience, with an audience, ask yourself the following questions:
● What's in this for my audience? What are the BENEFITS?
● What can they learn from my experience? Courage, change attitude, etc?
● How did this experience change my life? Stopped procrastinating?
● What can I do NOW that I wouldn't do before? Take more risks?
● What did I learn most from this experience? I CAN do it?
You will be amazed at how the audience will react to you when they know you are being genuine, are coming from the heart and not the head! They will listen, admire you, and want to follow your lead. What better way to captivate and move an audience!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATM
www.shirleycarolan.com
carolcom@qwestinternet.net
Copyright © 2006 by Shirley Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any portion of this article simply contact Shirey Carolan at carolcom@qwestinternet.net .
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