Try Speaking

Public Speaking is one of my biggest fears. I could talk all day long sitting down with a small group of people, but make me stand up in front of them and I go nuts. My face turns blood red and I can hear myself stumbling over every word I say. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an Effective Communication Training session by Professor Ronnie Stanley at Northwest Florida State College. He talked about one of the biggest problems associated with Public Speaking, and that is ANXIETY! Here are some tools that I'm going to try to use and I hope they help you.

Steps to decrease anxiety:
1. Be prepared- know your topic
2. Think positive- tell yourself that you ARE going to do a great job
3. Use the power of visualization
4. Know that your nervousness is not usually visible
5. Know that people don't expect perfection from you- you are human!

Specific steps:
1. Again- Be prepared
2. Take deep, slow breaths
3. Drink water during
4. Go "Pee" before

Out of these tips, my favorite is 5. Know that people don't expect perfection from you. Everyone at some point of their speech giving careers has been nervous during a speech. They understand that it takes a lot to get up and voice your knowlegde or your opinion on certain subjects. So next time I'm standing in front of a group of people giving a presentation or speech these are definitely some tips I'm going to remember.

Try Positive

Out of the daily dozen, I believe attitude is the most important one and definitely the one you should start with. Your attitude determines how you react to the rest of them. One of my favorite quotes is “You can’t control others reaction, you can only control the way you react to their actions.” Even at work, if you have a positive attitude you are more likely to see the positives in situations and others. The incredible thing about attitude is we have the option to choose. You can choose to walk into a situation and see positives or negatives.

But there is definitely more than just positive and negative attitudes. We should also develop a thankful attitude. We have become a generation of complaining. Nothing is ever good enough and we are never satisfied. What you focus on gets bigger. If you focus on negativity it will consume you. The root of complaining is that we think what we have or have to deal with. We need to develop a gratitude attitude and be thankful for the things we do have.

Most people have the view that they have been handed horrible things in life and there is nothing they can do to change it. I totally disagree with this. I believe God puts you in certain situations and it is up to you to determine how that situation will end. It’s like this, if you think you are going to get sick, you will! Your mind plays a very powerful role in how things play out.

So by keeping a positive attitude and looking for the good in situations, life will still throw difficult things at you, but you will have a easier time handling it.

Try Daily Dozen

One thing I took from "Make Today Count" by John C. Maxwell is the daily dozen. This small guideline is something I'm going to start living my life by and I definitely suggest that everyone do the same!

Daily Dozen:
1. Attitude: I am going to keep a positive attitude and use it to influence others.
2. Priorities: I will prioritize my life and give focus and energy to those things that give the highest return.
3. Health: I will take good care of myself by exercising and eating right.
4. Family: Success means having those closet to me love and respect me the most.
5. Thinking: I will think on things that will add value to myself and others.
6. Commitment: If something is worth doing, I will commit myself to carrying it through.
7. Finances: We will sacrifice today so that we can have options tomorrow.
8. Faith: I will accept God's giftof his Son, Jesus Christ,  as my Savior.
9. Relationships: I will initiate and make an investment in relationships with others.
10. Generosity: I will live to give.
11. Values: I will lead other based on the values I embrace.
12. Growth: I will develop and follow a personal growth plan for my life.

Try a Thank You

This past year has been described as many things for me. Most of all I believe it has been a learning experience. For me, to see where I was and where I am now, it’s amazing! I hope and pray I continue to learn and take each new experience and grow from it in some way; to look at new challenges as something that I can not only benefit from but help other to benefit from as well.

First

Kara: Thank you for believing in me when it seemed impossible. I can truly say I am very lucky and blessed to have a wonderful role model like you to learn from. I wish one day I can be as professional as you and have that beautiful smile while doing it!

Sylvia: I want to especially thank you for loving me and giving me a chance to prove to you that I am worth keeping around. I know it was hard and frustrating for you to watch me “struggle.” I appreciate, and continue to do so, all your words of wisdom.

Cory: I know I call you a freak of nature…I truly believe you are! You have also shown me what a strong-willed and passionate person is supposed to be like. I only wish one day I can possess some of those passionate traits. One of my goals this year is to become a better public speaker…I hope I can learn that from you!

I hope all of you know how much you mean to me and how I believe I would not be the person I am and continue to grow into without all of you. I do want to say a BIG Thank You for the book, “Make Today Count”, by John C. Maxwell. It has influenced me in so many ways. I want to be so much in life and I feel this small guideline will help me do that. Once again, THANK YOU for everything you give and all the wisdom and knowledge you bestow upon me.