Every Great Tragedy Brings Great Opportunity
COVID-19 has fundamentally changed our world and accelerated business concepts that were already emerging, albeit at a significantly slower rate. These emerging verticals may have been adopted out of necessity, but now that they are here and being adopted successfully, they will become part of the new business as usual. Two such emerging industries are SAAS solutions for remote working and telemedicine platforms. Both have the potential to grow in scale and are ripe for those savvy enough to offer solutions to streamline efficiencies and functionality.
Many hardworking Americans have lost their jobs and a staggering number of small business owners have or will soon be forced to permanently close their doors. As the majority of working Americans are employed by small businesses, many a good American worker will be displaced.
Given the current sate of the economy, it would be easy to focus on the negatives of these unprecedented times and let fear creep into your thoughts; you certainly wouldn’t be alone in this thinking. However, I challenge you to adopt a different perspective. Instead of allowing oneself to be engulfed in the quicksand of fear and uncertainty, why not take this time to refocus your gaze upon the many opportunities that now lie before you.
Business Owners
If you are a business owner, I would challenge you to do the following:
- Look for additional verticals to add to your business. In order to position well for success, these additional offerings should be in alignment with your company’s “WHY”, with a focus on better serving your patrons versus merely creating an additional revenue stream. An example of proper product alignment, would be a pencil manufacturer adding paper products or pencil erasers to their product line up. These additions are a solid fit, since both are aligned with the company’s purpose of providing their customers with tools for the written word.
- Cut out all unnecessary expenses. Invest the time required to properly review and audit all expenses. Cutout any non essentials, source comparable solutions that are lower priced. Also, do not be afraid to contact your landlord to inquire about possible lease abatement or payment deferrals. Essentially, authentically share your struggles with the goal of renegotiating your lease for longterm mutual benefit; reducing financial pressures for you and ensuring a consistent longterm revenue stream for the landlord.
- Evaluate the need for a physical location. Take a look at how you currently perform business and ask yourself if your business can survive or even thrive as a fully remote organization. Given the plethora of existing and emerging tools to optimize remote team collaboration, going remote has great potential for your business and your team. If you determine transitioning to a remote company is doable, contact your landlord, share your fear of the inability to make good on your lease commitment due to the unforeseen economic changes to your industry and ask if you can buy out the remainder of your lease term for an upfront lump some. Many landlords will entertain this option as they would prefer to gain some income form your relationship versus loosing all income due to a tenant defaulting and vacating their unit. The worst thing that could happen is they say no, but if you ask, they just might agree to help.
Individuals
If you are an individual and have been displaced, hopefully any struggles caused by your current situation will only be temporary. Should you find your anxiety level growing and the fear of attaining another job in your industry as a W-2 employee building, I challenge you to consider adapting to the evolving landscape. A few items to consider:
- Look at fractionalizing your talents as an independent. By fractionalizing your talents, you will essentially begin offering your services to many different businesses as an independent contractor versus a w-2 employee. This affords the businesses to gain access to needed talent without making long term commitments they financially cannot commit to. It also allows you to distribute your risk of job loss amongst what will hopefully be many satisfied clients. Further, as an added bonus, becoming an independent will allow you to command more for your talents than a salaried role would provide.
Hope
In times of economic shifts and make no mistake, we are in the throes of a shift currently, money does not disappear, rather it merely changes hands. The key to succeeding in these uncertain times is to develop the foresight required to navigate this sea of change. In order to successfully steer through the turbulence, you must determine which direction the money is flowing and do everything in your power to position yourself within its path. With the right foresight, determination and luck, you just find income from new opportunities beginning flowing into your pockets.
Change is Never Easy, but Change is Necessary For Growth
Change is never easy and for many, merely the thought of changing careers, pivoting a business or restructuring the manner in which one contracts their talents from employed to independent, is paralyzing. However, fear or not, comfortable or not, the economic landscape has changed and will continue to change fundamentally. Challenge yourself to appreciate the opportunity for growth brought by each tragedy and hardship you face. Acknowledge what is happening around you, but don’t allow your mind to spend too much time on all the happenings of the situation. Instead, fix your gaze on the many opportunities that abound, search within yourself to discover the strength required to take charge of your prosperity, take action towards your goals and learn to appreciate who you become as you traverse this journey we call life.
About the author.
Robert Mitchell is an award winning serial entrepreneur, executive coach, strategy consultant and the founder of ExecHero, SafeHarbour and Safe Harbour Wellness. When he isn’t leading his organizations, he is passionately coaching other entrepreneurs on how to position their business and personal lives for massive success. Rob enjoys spending time with his family, working out, martial arts, writing, traveling and acting. If you are ready to begin your journey towards your optimal self, email the ExecHero Team at: CS@ExecHero.com .
"Challenge the ordinary, seek the extraordinary and live unapologetically outside of the box."
Is Entrepreneurship for You? 5 Insights to Help You Decide.
In light of these interesting times, many are considering their best path forward. Some are anxious to return to their current profession, others are considering alternative careers with new companies and still others are pondering entrepreneurship. For those considering embarking on the journey that is entrepreneurship, this article is for you.
Entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination.
For most, it’s more of a calling that chose them, rather then something one seeks out. It’s the natural path for one that is possessed with a restless and rebellious spirit. It is a journey filled with excitement, apprehension, loss and reward. Alfred Adler said it best when he stated, “I am grateful for the idea that has used me”… an accurate description of entrepreneurship at its finest.
For those considering embarking upon this unusual and often romanticized journey, I’d like to offer a few thoughts:
1. Risk is the job description.
Be it signing personal guarantees for business loans, lease space, capital equipment or product inventory, entrepreneurs risk everything for the opportunity to manifest their vision.
2. Failure is your friend.
Failure is an unfortunate consequence of life. Anytime one attempts something new, failure is a real possibility. This is never more true than it is for those pursuing a direction in which they are the ones burdened and blessed with creating the path. However, with each failure, and there are certain to be many, comes both great understanding and increased opportunity to do better, as one will now gaze upon the forthcoming horizon with clearer eyes. In this way, failure is your friend, albeit it may not feel that way at the time. The most successful entrepreneurs recognize the opportunities for growth failure brings and thus have a very different perspective on the subject than the vast majority.
3. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Should you take the leap, know there will be many moments of uncomfortable times ahead. Be it unexpected occurrences, unforeseen expenses, economic downturns or even exponential growth without the required support staff to manage it, being uncomfortable is something one must learn to be ok with.
4. Know you are now charged with providing for many families.
Entrepreneurship is a privilege and as with all privileges, comes the added weight of responsibility. There is no such thing as a one man army. In order to achieve your directives, you must forge an army of talented individuals, that through their talents and your leadership, will triumph upon the battleground of business. It is your responsibility to ensure their efforts and sacrifices are well rewarded so they may provide for their families well and consistently. This means at times, especially in the beginning, that you will have to take from your family’s needs to provide for theirs. Like it or not, their futures are now your responsibility to ensure.
5. It’s a marathon in perseverance, not a sprint.
Many times along your journey you will face insurmountable odds and absolutely want to quit. This is natural to feel, but you must never, ever, ever succumb. When you feel this feeling of doubt, of mental and physical fatigue set in, remember, success is just on the horizon, as it lies on the other side of fear.
Do you have what it takes?
For those of you brave enough, determined enough and in truth stubborn enough to pursue this path, a wealth of reward awaits. Be it in the form of personal growth, the satisfaction of seeing one’s dreams realized, pride in knowing you have provided a path for others to provide for their loved ones, the pleasure found in being of service to your community, as well as the opportunity to provide a higher standard of living for your family, all will potentially be within your grasp.
With every great opportunity, comes great risk; risk of failure, but also risk of greatness. Are you ready and willing to take the steps required to attain your greatness, or will you let the fear of failure derail your path? You and you alone have the power and ability to manifest your visions, to breathe life into your aspirations and to take the first steps along a new journey. It is my great hope, should the sounds of the entrepreneurial drum stir your soul, that you will find the courage within yourself to throw caution to the wind and passionately pursue your dreams.
My challenge to you? Take a deep breathe and a large leap toward building your best tomorrow!
About the author.
Robert Mitchell is an award winning serial entrepreneur, executive coach, strategy consultant and the founder of ExecHero, SafeHarbour and Safe Harbour Wellness. When he isn’t leading his organizations, he is passionately coaching other entrepreneurs on how to position their business and personal lives for massive success. Rob enjoys spending time with his family, working out, martial arts, writing, traveling and acting. If you are ready to begin your journey towards your optimal self, email the ExecHero Team at: CS@ExecHero.com .
"Challenge the ordinary, seek the extraordinary and live unapologetically outside of the box."
Take Accountability and Take Back Your Power
Take Accountability and Take Back Your Power
A biographer made up the story about George Washington confessing to cutting down the cherry tree. Yet, it’s easy to believe based on his character.
The story has also been useful for generations of parents as an example of taking accountability. As a child, you may have learned that it is more honorable to own up to your actions rather than blame others or make excuses about why it isn’t your fault.
On the other hand, holding ourselves responsible can feel risky. Admitting our faults may threaten our self-image and open us up to criticism from others. It may seem safer to focus on external circumstances instead of looking at our own actions.
The truth is that you could be missing out on more happiness and success by trying to evade responsibility.
Learn more about the importance of developing personal accountability.
Benefits of Accountability:
- Build confidence. True self-esteem requires having the courage to take an honest look at yourself. Accept your weaknesses and missteps, as well as your strengths and accomplishments.
- Make positive changes. Taking responsibility puts you in control of your life. You can learn and grow. You’ll show yourself that you’re capable of adapting to change and handling the consequences of your actions. You can take action to resolve negative circumstances.
- Strengthen your relationships. Earn trust by living up to your commitments. You’ll strengthen your connection with family, friends, and coworkers.
- Reduce stress. In the long run, facing the truth usually creates less anxiety than trying to cover it up. Being responsible allows you to enjoy greater peace of mind.
Tips for Taking Accountability:
- Evaluate your performance. Make it a habit to assess your role in any situation. While external events do matter, focusing on what you can control is more productive.
- Monitor yourself. Pay attention to your behavior even when there are no other witnesses around. Assume equal responsibility for successes and setbacks.
- Set realistic goals. Do you sometimes excuse your conduct because you’re trying to juggle too many activities? Respect your limits and shorten your to do list. Creating priorities will help you to accomplish more.
- Listen carefully. It’s difficult to hear what others are saying when you’re being defensive. Listen with an open mind, so you can understand their position even if you disagree.
- Apologize skillfully. Express regret promptly and sincerely when you let someone down. If possible, try to make amends and avoid repeating your slip ups.
- Consider others. If you need another reason to work on accountability, think about your impact on others. Remember how you feel when a business or a loved one harms you and refuses to take responsibility.
Tips for Fostering Accountability:
- Communicate clearly. Encouraging a more accountable culture makes it easier to assume responsibility. Start by clarifying your expectations and the consequences for not meeting them. Ensure that you understand what others expect of you as well.
- Be forgiving. Help others to be truthful. Respond with mercy rather than anger. You’re bound to need a second chance sometime too.
- Exchange constructive feedback. Talk with others about how to make progress moving forward. Share specific observations, praise, and criticism. Be grateful for any insights they give you.
- Provide a role model. By assuming more accountability, you can automatically have a positive impact on others. You’ll be teaching your children an important life lesson and contributing to a healthier workplace and society.
Accountability is a skill that grows stronger with practice. Take charge of your life by assuming responsibility for your actions. You’ll empower yourself to build the future you really want.
5 Motivation Tips
5 Motivation Tips to Help You Wake Up Early and Enjoy Greater Productivity
Many of the successful people of our time wake up very early. Why? This is because most people find that the earlier they wake up (within reason) the more productive they are with their day.
Are you striving to be more productive? If so, these tips can help you to get up early so that you can take advantage of those early morning hours and enjoy greater productivity.
It’s important to remember, though, that getting up earlier won’t benefit you if you’re suffering from sleep deprivation. Ensure that you get 7-8 hours of good quality sleep each night. You may need to retire earlier at night in order to get the rest you need.
Going to bed earlier likely won’t hurt your productivity, because most of us aren’t particularly productive in the late evening hours as we relax after the day’s work is done.
Consider these motivation tips to get your day started off on the right foot:
- Grab a good coffee machine. This is perhaps the most effective way to wake up early – especially when the coffee is good. If you’re a coffee drinker, the point here is to enjoy a warm and refreshing beverage to start your day.
- Eat some fruit. Many people are unsure about which foods to eat in the morning. If you’re looking to get an early start on your day, eating fruit can be one of the better ways to start your metabolism.
- Fruit has very fast-digesting sugars and complex carbohydrates to provide great sources of energy.
- Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day. One of the biggest difficulties you may face with getting up earlier is that you may try to wake up at the crack of dawn on the first day, feel exhausted, and then give up quickly.
- Instead of that self-defeating process, try setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day or so until you reach the time at which you’d like to get up. This will help your body to become accustomed to your new sleep/wake times without such a shock.
- When you do this incrementally, your body might not even notice the change. If 15 minutes is too large a change for you, try 10 or even 5 minutes earlier each day.
- Instead of that self-defeating process, try setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day or so until you reach the time at which you’d like to get up. This will help your body to become accustomed to your new sleep/wake times without such a shock.
- Turn off the alarm. Once your body becomes accustomed to your new time for waking up, you can turn off the alarm. This will help to teach your body (especially if you don’t have morning appointments) to wake up at the same time without the annoying, loud sound of an alarm.
- Set morning goals. Once you’re up early, it’s time for you to start getting some extra work done. For your best results, create a to-do list each evening. That way you already have your tasks set out for you each morning when you wake up, so you can get started right away.
Waking up early is one aspect of our lives that we can all work on, but it can be difficult to get started. Take your time to work on a new schedule and allow yourself to feel comfortable with an early start. Chances are, your body will love it.
To Change or Not to Change – That Is the Question
To Change or Not to Change? That Is the Question
Back in the day it was commonplace to have a job for life or at least stay with the same company for an entire working lifetime. As time has passed, it’s become less and less likely that any of us will stay at the same job, company, or even career for very long.
Most people choose a job because it satisfied their needs at that moment.
For most everyone, there will come a time when their needs or circumstances change and it’s time to leave. Sometimes for a progression in the same career, sometimes to do something entirely different. But how do you know when it’s the right time to change?
How long should we stay doing something before it’s time to move on?
Many people stay because the position ‘pays the bills’ or because ‘it’s easy enough.’ Most stay because they don’t know what else to do, so they resign themselves to a lifetime of mediocrity, in the same position simply because they are devoid of any new ideas.
Is that really any way to spend your life? Waiting for the time to pass until you can retire and do what? Nothing? If that’s where you’re at, it might be an idea to pray for a layoff so that you are forced to come up with something new to do.
No doubt when you started in your current position there was something about the job that you were drawn to. Maybe the challenge? Maybe it was something completely new for you? There was something there that in that moment that you wanted. Has that something gone? If so, now is the time to change.
You Are Not the Same Person You Used to Be
Why should we find a career and stick with it for life? There are so many things we could do, so many new things we could learn. Think about it: just showing up in life causes personal growth. If you apply yourself to any job or career you will also grow from that.
You are not the same person you were 10 years ago. You are not even the same person you were 10 weeks ago, or 10 days ago. Growth comes from experiencing life.
The more you engage with life itself, the faster and more dramatic your growth.
With growth comes awareness and right behind awareness is clarity. You can learn most about your direction for the future by understanding your thinking and decision making in the past.
Making smart decisions and taking effective actions on those decisions can be improved with the benefit of hindsight.
Try these techniques to develop greater clarity:
- Make a list of all the things you have done in the past. Include your hobbies and things you did just for fun.
- Figure out what it was you got out of it. Maybe it was the challenge, maybe it was building or creating something, maybe it was in your service to others, or setting something up completely from scratch.
- Then make a note of what caused you to stop or change direction in each scenario. The past is no indication of our future, but it can be useful to understand our thinking around the circumstances we were in at that time. It can help us make wiser choices for the future.
Are You a Contrarian Thinker?
Do you light up when you get involved in anything new? Do you love helping others? Do you thrive on variety and change? Could it be that you are smarter than you thought and you’re multi-talented? Could you be a contrarian thinker? Is that nearer the truth for you?
It’s important to do what fulfills you, fascinates you, or makes your heart sing.
If you’re not doing that now, then now’s the time to change!
Social Media is Ruining Your Life
8 Reasons the News and Social Media Might be Ruining Your Life
The news and social media are very popular. We love to hear about all the drama of life on the news. Unfortunately, the news isn’t designed to be helpful, it’s designed to get as many people watching it as possible.
We also like to know what our friends, family, coworkers, enemies, and exes are up to on social media. Social media is designed to be addictive. Social media companies want you to stay engaged as long as possible. It’s the best thing for their revenue.
See how the news and social media could be harming you:
- Your brain focuses on negative news and situations. Your brain is largely preoccupied with keeping you alive. This means it pays extra close attention to negative situations and news. The positive stuff isn’t going to hurt you and is quickly ignored.
- When your brain is focused on negative information, you’re not going to feel your best.
- Social media leads to comparisons. Your best friend from high school just bought a brand-new car. Your coworker just bought a brand-new house with a swimming pool. Your neighbor is on vacation in Tahiti. Social media is there to make sure you know all about it.
- It’s hard not to compare your life to everyone else’s on social media. When it seems like your life pales by comparison, you’re bound to feel negatively about your life.
- Social media and the news are distracting. Social media and the News are designed to capture your attention. The longer that they are able to keep you and everyone else looking, the more money they make through advertising. Both have the intention of being addicting.
- It’s not easy to accomplish anything when you’re distracted on a regular basis.
- Social media and the news are misleading. Most of the people on social media are not being honest about their lives. They’re attempting to present the best possible version of their lives to you.
- The news isn’t much better. For example, Fox News presents the news in a way that appeals to a conservative audience. MSNBC presents the news in a way that appeals to a liberal audience. Neither does a good job of telling the whole story.
- They both have the potential to be great time wasters. It’s easy to spend a lot of time scrolling through social media feeds and watching the news on TV. All these activities can be entertaining, but they are rarely productive.
- Both can be depressing. Social media and the news can lead to depressive feelings. The news is negative because it’s more interesting to watch. Social media leads you to compare your life to those that seem to be doing better than you are.
- Social media can lead to bullying. Social media provides an easy way to bully others. Don’t believe that this only happens to teenagers. Adults that would normally behave in a responsible manner find it easy to mistreat others while online.
- Social media has been linked to depression, anxiety, and body image issues. Several studies have shown that social media use can be damaging to mental health.
Consider limiting your news consumption to print or online news where you can pick and choose the stories that are meaningful to you. You’ll save time and your sanity.
Limit social media to your family and closest friends. If you believe that even this level of social media is having negative effects, avoid these websites and apps altogether. You survived just fine without social media for years.
How Do You Know If You Need A Coach
How Do You Know If You Need A Coach?
You will never know just how energized working with a Coach can make you, how sharp and productive you can be, and how much fun you can have in the process, until you have experienced it.
Think about it, has there ever been anything in your life you have made a sensible assessment of while standing on the outside, poking it with a stick?
It’s not possible to make a rational assessment of anything unless you engage with it, explore it, or try it on for size.
Even so, if you haven’t ever worked with a Coach, you may have some important questions about the process.
Here are some of the more common questions:
- How do I know Coaching will work for me? You don’t. No two coaches are the same, no two clients are the same, and no two issues that can be resolved with Coaching expertise will be the same.
- Even if your 10 best friends rave about Coaching, you will never know for sure if it will work for you until you try it.
- Can I afford a Coach? In order to answer this question, it’s important to look at the difference a Coach can make in your life or your business.
- For example, if your Coach was instrumental in boosting your income by $1000, $2000, or $3000 a month, would cost be an issue? What if your Coach was able to help you add $10,000 a month to your income?
- This example is not a rarity in Coaching. It happens every day all over the world. It happens to people in all walks of life, in all kinds of different circumstances. It can happen to you too, but you have to make a decision and take action to make it happen.
- How can I find the right Coach for me? Exactly the same way you found the right house, the right car, and even the right spouse! You went looking! Nobody knocked on your door with the perfect car, house or wife, did they? Nobody is going to come knocking with the perfect Coach either.
- To get started, determine your criteria for a Coach. Use your contacts to find some referrals.
- You’ll know the right Coach by how you feel about them AFTER you’ve had some interaction with them, not before.
- Will a Coach be able to help me? To help you answer this question, find a Coach and talk with them. Find out what the Coach is like, ask them how they like to work, find out if they are familiar with people in your kind of circumstances, and ask them what they could do to help you.
- Maybe the first Coach you talk to would be ideal for you. Maybe it’s Coach number 5.
- One thing you can be absolutely sure of, is that there are Coaches who can help you and there are Coaches who have dealt with similar circumstances to yours many times. You just need to find them!
The Bottom Line
Those who hire Coaches are strong-minded characters. They’re going places and getting things done. They might not always know exactly where they are going or exactly what it is they plan to do, but they have a sense of purpose and a commitment to themselves that can be amplified considerably by working with a Coach.
That is why they hire a Coach, to get more out of themselves than they ever thought possible by working on their own.
Ask anyone who has had a great Coach for any length of time if they could have done it on their own, without the help of a personal Coach, and watch their face light up as they tell you it was the very best decision they ever made. Do your research and you can find one like this too!
7 Questions to Ask Yourself
7 Questions to Ask Yourself to Make the Most of Each Day
Each day provides the opportunity to make your life a little better or a little worse. Most of us are too focused on surviving another day, or too distracted, to be focused on the things that matter the most to us.
Asking yourself questions is a great way of focusing your attention and setting your priorities. When you ask yourself something, your brain can’t help but try to answer it. Give it something worthwhile to answer.
Asking yourself meaningful questions on a regular basis can change your focus and your life.
Consider asking yourself these questions:
- What is the most important thing I need to accomplish? To get the most out of each day, it’s necessary to get some things accomplished. What are the most important things you need to accomplish? How you spend your time determines the quality of your life.
- Asking yourself this question each morning will give you the chance to design the day around your most important goals.
- What am I tolerating? We tolerate too much. We’re taught to be tough, indifferent, and tolerant. But all of the things that get on your nerves take their toll after a while. You are the only person that’s going to consistently have your best interests at heart. What are you tolerating?
- Bad relationship?
- A stove with a broken burner?
- A dead bush in front of your house?
- A terrible boss?
- An extra 30 pounds?
- What problems or challenges do I foresee happening in the future? Most of the challenges we face in life aren’t surprises. We can reasonably predict they have a good chance of happening. We’d just rather not address them or even think about them.
- It’s easier to prevent a disaster than to deal with it. Look into the future and be proactive.
- What mistakes did I make today? If you never repeated a mistake, it wouldn’t take long before you were a remarkably successful person. Think of how much better your relationships would be. Think of how much better you would be at your job.
- Identify your mistakes and make a decision not to make them again.
- What am I grateful for? This question puts you in a great frame of mind. It reminds you that your life is already pretty good. It also gives you the courage to take smart risks. Gratitude is a powerful state to address the world from.
- What am I looking forward to? If you have something to look forward to, you’ll feel a rush of excitement and enthusiasm. If you don’t have something to look forward to, you’ll realize that you need to make plans to do, see, or receive something exciting in the future.
- What do I want to change about myself? We don’t come perfect right out of the box. We have to grow and change in new ways depending on what we want to accomplish.
- Our greatest ability is the ability to adapt. In what ways do you need to adapt so that your world becomes what you want it to be?
How long would it take to ask yourself these questions each day? Five minutes? Do you have five minutes available each day to change your life for the better?
What do you predict would happen if you asked yourself these questions each day?
These questions will make a difference in your life if you use them regularly. Take control of your focus by asking yourself the right questions each day. What are some other questions that you believe would be valuable?
How to Give an Amazing Presentation
How to Give an Amazing Presentation
What’s scarier than spiders and high places? For many adults, the answer is public speaking. According to the National Social Anxiety Center, more than 70% of Americans have at least a mild case of glossophobia, otherwise known as fear of public speaking.
While it’s natural to be nervous in front of an audience, it could also be holding you back in your personal and professional life. Increasing your confidence is the key to raising your visibility and sharing what you know.
With patience and practice you can overcome your stage fright. Try these tips for reducing stress and strengthening your communication skills.
Learning to Relax:
- Rehearse your speech. Set yourself up to succeed by going over your presentation thoroughly. Ask a colleague or friend to be your test audience. If you’re on your own, practice in front of a mirror or record yourself.
- Remember your purpose. You’ll feel less anxious if you focus on helping your audience rather than overthinking your performance. Identify your core message and why it matters. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve.
- Straighten up. Your body language counts too. Lift your chest and relax your shoulders. Project confidence by standing tall and avoiding nervous hand gestures.
- Monitor your breath. Taking deep full breaths will make you feel calmer and happier. It will also enhance the quality of your voice.
- Enjoy the excitement. Reframe your thoughts. Think of yourself as being energized rather than nervous. Feeling stimulated can help you to appear dynamic and communicate effectively.
Developing Your Presentation Skills:
- Build rapport. Make it easy for your audience to like and trust you. Smile and maintain eye contact. If possible, arrive early to greet them and engage in casual conversation. Offer to stay afterwards to answer questions and continue the discussion.
- Start strong. The first few minutes are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. Lead off with an interesting statistic or a question that will stir up curiosity.
- Tell stories. You can liven up any subject by throwing in some characters and a plot. Draw from your own personal experience or find relevant material in current events and pop culture.
- Slow down. Do you talk faster when you’re nervous? Pace yourself and insert some meaningful pauses.
- Limit text. Written notes can be helpful but resist the urge to read extensively because your audience may tune you out. Similarly, keep slides and other supporting materials brief and easy to scan. Consider handouts if you need to provide more detailed information.
- Recover quickly. What if you freeze and forget what you were going to say next? What if you tell a joke and no one laughs? Embarrassing moments are more likely to be forgotten if you keep your composure and move on.
- Welcome feedback. Learn from each experience. Hand out evaluation forms and give out your contact information. Watch your audience to see if they’re listening closely or becoming bored or confused.
- Seize opportunities. Speaking more often is usually the most effective way to strengthen your presentation skills. Start small with a familiar and friendly group, like your book club or the local chapter of your professional association.
- Find a role model. You can also learn by studying the speaking styles of celebrities or anyone you admire. Watch Ted Talks and YouTube videos. Attend lectures and panel discussions. Experiment with new techniques and adapt them to your own personality.
Your hard work is more likely to pay off if you learn how to demonstrate your knowledge and connect with your audience. Giving amazing presentations will help you to impress others and make the most of your abilities.
10 Things You Can Do
10 Things You Can Do Now That Will Greatly Benefit Your Life in 10 Years
Just think how much different your life would be if you had done a few things differently 10 years ago.
- You could have been saving money for 10 years or learning to play the guitar.
- Exercising regularly for the last 10 years would have benefited your health.
- How profitable of a website could you have built if you had started 10 years ago?
The key to having a great life is to regularly spend time on things that will enhance your future.
You can’t travel back in time, but you can make the most of the next 10 years by taking advantage of these tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Everyone has that skinny picture from high school. However, if you look around, there are far fewer middle-age adults that would be classified as skinny. There are a lot of health issues that can be avoided or minimized by maintaining a healthy weight.
- Save money. A lack of savings is a major stressor for most people. Just think, if you had just started saving $100 a month 10 years ago, you’d have over $17,000 today. That assumes a 7% return.
- A little money saved each month can make a big difference over the years.
- Avoid consumer debt. Most people have to finance a car or home. However, anything else you can’t afford to buy with cash could probably wait. Consumer debt is very expensive and ultimately very stressful.
- Set goals and reach them. It’s possible to accomplish a lot in 10 years. Setting goals, reaching them, and then setting new goals will result in a very effective and fulfilling decade.
- Find a hobby that you love. Spending 10 years on a hobby that you love will bring a lot of joy into your life. If your hobby is something like playing the piano that requires a lot of skill, you’ll be pretty good at it after 10 years.
- Hobbies can also be a great way of making friends and enhancing your social life.
- Avoid making big mistakes. It’s not too hard to have a great life if you can avoid making any major mistakes. Big mistakes include things like marrying the wrong person, accumulating a huge amount of debt, committing a crime, seriously injuring yourself, and ignoring your health.
- Some things are difficult or even impossible to unwind, so choose your actions wisely.
- See the doctor regularly. An annual trip to the doctor can discover a lot of issues before they become serious. This is one of those things that has the potential to be a major mistake.
- Travel. The differences between someone that has traveled extensively and someone that never ventures far from the familiar is stunning.
- When you meet someone that has traveled the world, you notice something special about them. They have a wisdom that many of us lack.
- Read. You can learn an awful lot in a decade if you read good books. The library is free and contains a treasure trove of information and entertainment.
- Make a budget and stick to it. Everyone needs to be able to create and stick to a budget. Even people making over $10 million a year have outspent their income and gotten themselves into serious trouble.
Ten years is a long time, but it goes by very quickly. Time only seems to accelerate as we age, so the next 10 years will seem to pass more quickly than the last 10 years.
Will you make the most of the next decade? Or will you be kicking yourself for not taking advantage of this opportunity? Your life can be vastly different in 10 years by making a few wise decisions today.