3 Months since I last posted anything. I have been preoccupied with other areas of my life and have neglected the blog.
I made the decision to start again, but only on an occasional basis. I tried so hard to update daily that it became a burden rather than a joy. Hopefully one post a week will be a reasonable target.
I am also about to revamp my website WWW.bespeak.co.uk so check often to see what has changed.
Sunday 15 November 2009
Thursday 6 August 2009
Its not what you say.....
Been otherwise occupied for a while. So the blog has been neglected.
Attended one of my toastmasters club tonight. What a fantastic evening it was. Lots of motivation, lots of inspiration and lots of humour.
One thing I did notice was the use of tautology - using different words to say the same thing without adding to the meaning. "This moment in time", " a new innovation", future plans", exact facts, etc.
When preparing a speech it is worth writing it down and reading through it, in order to avoid these phrases. Always challenge your own grammar. By doing this you will soon learn to steer clear of tautology even when speaking "off the cuff", "at a moments notice".
You can learn even more tips and tricks by attending one of the courses or booking a coaching session at www.bespeak.co.uk
Attended one of my toastmasters club tonight. What a fantastic evening it was. Lots of motivation, lots of inspiration and lots of humour.
One thing I did notice was the use of tautology - using different words to say the same thing without adding to the meaning. "This moment in time", " a new innovation", future plans", exact facts, etc.
When preparing a speech it is worth writing it down and reading through it, in order to avoid these phrases. Always challenge your own grammar. By doing this you will soon learn to steer clear of tautology even when speaking "off the cuff", "at a moments notice".
You can learn even more tips and tricks by attending one of the courses or booking a coaching session at www.bespeak.co.uk
Thursday 16 July 2009
I have been taking it easy for the past week or so. Catching up on chores, reading and just generally chilling out.
The one thing I can't do is switch of the motivation cells. Once you learn how to become motivated it becomes a part of you. It resides in the subconscious and you become permanently motivated. Carrying out mundane tasks, like washing the car or digging the garden just happen, because you are constantly motivated.
Self motivation is easy. If there is a task you need to carry out but can't bring yourself to do it, just remember the last time you carried out the same, or a similar, task and remember how good you felt when you had completed it.
This is just a minor example. There are many other techniques.
Why not invest a few hours of your time and attend a motivation workshop. I have attended many of these and still get a huge buzz out of them. Just because I run motivation workshops at www.bespeak.co.uk doesn't mean I give up attending other peoples.
The one thing I can't do is switch of the motivation cells. Once you learn how to become motivated it becomes a part of you. It resides in the subconscious and you become permanently motivated. Carrying out mundane tasks, like washing the car or digging the garden just happen, because you are constantly motivated.
Self motivation is easy. If there is a task you need to carry out but can't bring yourself to do it, just remember the last time you carried out the same, or a similar, task and remember how good you felt when you had completed it.
This is just a minor example. There are many other techniques.
Why not invest a few hours of your time and attend a motivation workshop. I have attended many of these and still get a huge buzz out of them. Just because I run motivation workshops at www.bespeak.co.uk doesn't mean I give up attending other peoples.
Friday 10 July 2009
Motivation comes from inspiration
How many of us have had moments of inspiration? How many of us have acted on them?
This week I have listened to four speakers, all of whom have had moments of inspiration and decided to act on them.
They were all really simple moments in themselves and I am sure we have all had them. Most of the time these moments come and go with little to show for them.
One of the speakers mentioned how he had tried on a pair of trousers in his usual size and discovered they were to tight. That moment inspired him to change his lifestyle and gave him the motivation to start eating a little less and exercising a little more.
Another read a book which contained a chapter on focused practice. This inspired him to take up the saxophone and motivated him to keep practicing the bits he wasn't good at. He was able to incorporate a rather nice saxophone solo into his speech.
The third had what was almost an epiphany while throwing stones into the sea. He noticed that some stones were rough and others were smooth. In that moment of inspiration he realised that the smooth stones had been worked on by the sea while the rough ones had been left idle. In a moment of inspiration he realised that his life was going exactly the same way and that if he didn't work on it he would remain in a very rough condition. He is now so motivated that he is looking to become a motivational speaker.
The final speaker had a moment of inspiration many years ago and become motivated to look out for these moments and act upon them. She is now the prime mover in a new speakers club in Woodford Green, London. She hopes to use this as a vehicle to motivating others while improving her own skills.
As a motivational speaker, I was inspired by all of these people. My goal as a presenter of Motivational Workshops at http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ is to help people understand how to recognise these moments of inspiration and turn them into motivation for life changing experiences.
Even if you can't join one of my workshops make sure you keep all your senses wipe open to moments of inspiration.
This week I have listened to four speakers, all of whom have had moments of inspiration and decided to act on them.
They were all really simple moments in themselves and I am sure we have all had them. Most of the time these moments come and go with little to show for them.
One of the speakers mentioned how he had tried on a pair of trousers in his usual size and discovered they were to tight. That moment inspired him to change his lifestyle and gave him the motivation to start eating a little less and exercising a little more.
Another read a book which contained a chapter on focused practice. This inspired him to take up the saxophone and motivated him to keep practicing the bits he wasn't good at. He was able to incorporate a rather nice saxophone solo into his speech.
The third had what was almost an epiphany while throwing stones into the sea. He noticed that some stones were rough and others were smooth. In that moment of inspiration he realised that the smooth stones had been worked on by the sea while the rough ones had been left idle. In a moment of inspiration he realised that his life was going exactly the same way and that if he didn't work on it he would remain in a very rough condition. He is now so motivated that he is looking to become a motivational speaker.
The final speaker had a moment of inspiration many years ago and become motivated to look out for these moments and act upon them. She is now the prime mover in a new speakers club in Woodford Green, London. She hopes to use this as a vehicle to motivating others while improving her own skills.
As a motivational speaker, I was inspired by all of these people. My goal as a presenter of Motivational Workshops at http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ is to help people understand how to recognise these moments of inspiration and turn them into motivation for life changing experiences.
Even if you can't join one of my workshops make sure you keep all your senses wipe open to moments of inspiration.
Saturday 4 July 2009
Positive Mental Attitude?
PMA used to be the "in" thing. The 1980's were full of people promoting a Positive Mental Attitude". This has been replaced with Self-Motivation. The title may have changed but the mind set remains the same.
I had a very positive meeting this morning and felt very motivated when I left it. I have a follow up meeting on Tuesday which will lead to something very useful. You would think that I was therefore going to have a great day from there on in.
A trip to the supermarket soon put paid to that. I loathe supermarkets and the other people that shop in them. I can't even bring myself to look for the positives in being there. The weather was warm and oppressive, which gave me another excuse for becoming drained of positive thoughts.
Despite what I teach my clients at www.bespeak.co.uk I still let this one place get to me. What is worse, is that I actively choose not to try and improve things. I look on it as "the exception that proves the rule", or tell myself that "a change is as good as a rest"
Despite all this, today I left the supermarket feeling really great. It was busier than usual, there were lots of people blocking the aisles and the queues at the checkout were longer than usual.
The girl at our checkout was nicely turned out, had a fantastic smile and was pleasant to even the most awkward of customers. She was efficient and had time to chat while scanning our purchases.
I don't know what was motivating her, but whatever it was it was working. Before leaving the shop, I managed to get hold of the manager and tell him how much I had enjoyed the service. Hopefully my comments to him will have done her some good.
She certainly left me feeling better than I ever have on leaving a supermarket. Who knows I might even enjoy my next visit.
I had a very positive meeting this morning and felt very motivated when I left it. I have a follow up meeting on Tuesday which will lead to something very useful. You would think that I was therefore going to have a great day from there on in.
A trip to the supermarket soon put paid to that. I loathe supermarkets and the other people that shop in them. I can't even bring myself to look for the positives in being there. The weather was warm and oppressive, which gave me another excuse for becoming drained of positive thoughts.
Despite what I teach my clients at www.bespeak.co.uk I still let this one place get to me. What is worse, is that I actively choose not to try and improve things. I look on it as "the exception that proves the rule", or tell myself that "a change is as good as a rest"
Despite all this, today I left the supermarket feeling really great. It was busier than usual, there were lots of people blocking the aisles and the queues at the checkout were longer than usual.
The girl at our checkout was nicely turned out, had a fantastic smile and was pleasant to even the most awkward of customers. She was efficient and had time to chat while scanning our purchases.
I don't know what was motivating her, but whatever it was it was working. Before leaving the shop, I managed to get hold of the manager and tell him how much I had enjoyed the service. Hopefully my comments to him will have done her some good.
She certainly left me feeling better than I ever have on leaving a supermarket. Who knows I might even enjoy my next visit.
Friday 3 July 2009
Short Blog
Had a very busy day with little variety, apart from a quick physio session on my tennis elbow.
Not much to talk about, spent a lot of time doing market research. This is very tedious but should ultimately be rewarding.
The trouble with market research, when your business is motivation and coaching, is that you rightly assume that everyone needs your services. Trouble is if they all turned up at once you would be in real trouble.
If you do need motivation or coaching check out www.bespeak.co.uk. If you have any tips on market research please leave a comment.
Not much to talk about, spent a lot of time doing market research. This is very tedious but should ultimately be rewarding.
The trouble with market research, when your business is motivation and coaching, is that you rightly assume that everyone needs your services. Trouble is if they all turned up at once you would be in real trouble.
If you do need motivation or coaching check out www.bespeak.co.uk. If you have any tips on market research please leave a comment.
Thursday 2 July 2009
Happy New Year
Today is the first day in the Toastmasters year.
I am very privileged to be the Division G Governor in District 71 as well as president of Chelmsford Speakers Club.
Public Speaking clubs are a great way to practice both your speaking skills and your leadership skills.
If you need training in public Speaking then speakers clubs can be very useful. progress can be slow but the rewards are very long term. Why not learn the skills quickly with www.bespeak.co.uk and then join a speakers club to hone your skills.
Public Speaking clubs are also very good for sharpening your leadership skills. It is very interesting attempting to lead a group over which you have no innate authority. In the business environment most of us lead in a hierarchy, where we draw authority from the tier above. In a club we have to use our personality to gain empowerment from the group we hope to lead.
This is a useful technique which can be applied back in the workplace to make the leaders job much easier.
Tonight was my first committee meeting as president of Chelmsford Speakers Club. It will be interesting to see how my own leadership develops.
I am very privileged to be the Division G Governor in District 71 as well as president of Chelmsford Speakers Club.
Public Speaking clubs are a great way to practice both your speaking skills and your leadership skills.
If you need training in public Speaking then speakers clubs can be very useful. progress can be slow but the rewards are very long term. Why not learn the skills quickly with www.bespeak.co.uk and then join a speakers club to hone your skills.
Public Speaking clubs are also very good for sharpening your leadership skills. It is very interesting attempting to lead a group over which you have no innate authority. In the business environment most of us lead in a hierarchy, where we draw authority from the tier above. In a club we have to use our personality to gain empowerment from the group we hope to lead.
This is a useful technique which can be applied back in the workplace to make the leaders job much easier.
Tonight was my first committee meeting as president of Chelmsford Speakers Club. It will be interesting to see how my own leadership develops.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
A Big Surprise
I discovered that one of my speeches is on You Tube. At first I was unsure whether I was pleased or not. On balance I think it is a good thing. I also think it is not a bad speech. Please feel free to comment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j37Z4SxwUXw
I have a few other videos that may or may not be worth adding to You Tube. I wonder what the chances of randomly finding my video on you tube are. If I do post then I will place links on my web site www.bespeak.co.uk
The video above was taken in Dundee earlier this year (2009), when I achieved 2nd place in the UK public Speaking Championship. Somewhere I have a video from 2006 in Carlisle when I won the Public Speaking Championship. I think I will upload that to You Tube and link to it from my web site as well.
Nothing else to report today as I have been in lazy mode.
I have a few other videos that may or may not be worth adding to You Tube. I wonder what the chances of randomly finding my video on you tube are. If I do post then I will place links on my web site www.bespeak.co.uk
The video above was taken in Dundee earlier this year (2009), when I achieved 2nd place in the UK public Speaking Championship. Somewhere I have a video from 2006 in Carlisle when I won the Public Speaking Championship. I think I will upload that to You Tube and link to it from my web site as well.
Nothing else to report today as I have been in lazy mode.
Monday 29 June 2009
A Quiet Day
Not much happening today, so spent some time reading about search engine optimisation. My website. http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ is gradually climbing up the rankings.
I need to create more content on my website so that people will be attracted to it and perhaps even link to it.
As I am planning to write a book anyway, I am wondering if I should publish excerpts from each chapter. Part of me is tempted to publish the whole book, chapter by chapter in draft format and then remove it when the book is completed.
When the book gets published I can put excerpts from it back onto the website. The website promotes four business areas:- Motivational Workshops, Life Coaching, Public Speaking and After Dinner Speaking.
It may be a tall order but my book is going to try and mirror this. It is a rather eclectic mix to pull together, but I do like a challenge.
Tomorrow, I plan to look at RSS Feeds and see if I can get one to work on my website.
I need to create more content on my website so that people will be attracted to it and perhaps even link to it.
As I am planning to write a book anyway, I am wondering if I should publish excerpts from each chapter. Part of me is tempted to publish the whole book, chapter by chapter in draft format and then remove it when the book is completed.
When the book gets published I can put excerpts from it back onto the website. The website promotes four business areas:- Motivational Workshops, Life Coaching, Public Speaking and After Dinner Speaking.
It may be a tall order but my book is going to try and mirror this. It is a rather eclectic mix to pull together, but I do like a challenge.
Tomorrow, I plan to look at RSS Feeds and see if I can get one to work on my website.
Fun Fun Fun
A very pleasant Sunday.
Spent some time playing a game of hi tech hide and seek with friends (very geeky amateur radio stuff). Spent the rest of the day at a BBQ and drinks party. This is an annual event and somehow, even though the event is being held at a friends, I have become chief cook.
Even though it is hard work and I am always last to eat, I do get a good feeling from helping others. Not sure what my motivation is, maybe I like the acclaim and fuss people make, perhaps I just like doing it to keep me busy and being in a place where I can socialise with everyone.
Whatever the motivation it adds to my enjoyment of the day and makes life a little easier for the hosts.
Nice to have a good deed under my belt. Hopefully it will start a chain of good deeds and bring a little improvement to everyone in the chain.
Keep checking out the feel good factors at www.bespeak.co.uk.
Spent some time playing a game of hi tech hide and seek with friends (very geeky amateur radio stuff). Spent the rest of the day at a BBQ and drinks party. This is an annual event and somehow, even though the event is being held at a friends, I have become chief cook.
Even though it is hard work and I am always last to eat, I do get a good feeling from helping others. Not sure what my motivation is, maybe I like the acclaim and fuss people make, perhaps I just like doing it to keep me busy and being in a place where I can socialise with everyone.
Whatever the motivation it adds to my enjoyment of the day and makes life a little easier for the hosts.
Nice to have a good deed under my belt. Hopefully it will start a chain of good deeds and bring a little improvement to everyone in the chain.
Keep checking out the feel good factors at www.bespeak.co.uk.
Sunday 28 June 2009
Fear, Fear and More Fear
Spent the day at Adastral Park (Ipswich,UK) Fun Day. We were promoting Public Speaking clubs. Handed out over 100 leaflets to passers bye.
When handing out the leaflet we asked them if they would like to take part in a short, fun, contest. Around 25% said NO and admitted to being terrified. A further 25% said maybe or that they would twist a partner, child or siblings arm.
The other 50% gave an emphatic yes. The contest was to be held in a small lecture theatre at 2:30. When the time arrived no-one turned up, not one person, nobody at all.
We felt our location must be the issue as the theatre was not easy to find. Perhaps there were other events that proved more attractive, who knows?
I suspect a large part of it was due to fear and that once people had time to think they had an attack of the horrors.
If this happens to you then consider joining a Public Speaking club. If you are in more of a hurry go to www.bespeak.co.uk and see what help I can offer.
When handing out the leaflet we asked them if they would like to take part in a short, fun, contest. Around 25% said NO and admitted to being terrified. A further 25% said maybe or that they would twist a partner, child or siblings arm.
The other 50% gave an emphatic yes. The contest was to be held in a small lecture theatre at 2:30. When the time arrived no-one turned up, not one person, nobody at all.
We felt our location must be the issue as the theatre was not easy to find. Perhaps there were other events that proved more attractive, who knows?
I suspect a large part of it was due to fear and that once people had time to think they had an attack of the horrors.
If this happens to you then consider joining a Public Speaking club. If you are in more of a hurry go to www.bespeak.co.uk and see what help I can offer.
Saturday 27 June 2009
Low Expectations?
Went to the opening of a local art exhibition this evening. Just the local club but the standard was excellent. My wife was exhibiting (her painitings) so I was there for the opening ceremony.
The chairman's address to the club was rambling and meaningless, full of hesitation, deviation and repetition. He got a rapturous round of applause at his conclusion.
The local dignitary was not quite as bad but she did go massively off topic and lost direction on several occasions. Clearly neither had done much preparation and had little or no grasp of what public speaking should be about.
Nevertheless both were well received by the audience who also had no grasp of how good a speech could be.
We need more public speaking events in the media to raise awareness and standards.
If you have arrived here because a search engine sent you then check out what www.bespeak.co.uk can do to help you improve your public speaking.
The chairman's address to the club was rambling and meaningless, full of hesitation, deviation and repetition. He got a rapturous round of applause at his conclusion.
The local dignitary was not quite as bad but she did go massively off topic and lost direction on several occasions. Clearly neither had done much preparation and had little or no grasp of what public speaking should be about.
Nevertheless both were well received by the audience who also had no grasp of how good a speech could be.
We need more public speaking events in the media to raise awareness and standards.
If you have arrived here because a search engine sent you then check out what www.bespeak.co.uk can do to help you improve your public speaking.
Friday 26 June 2009
Building Public Speaking Skills
This is my 5th Blog entry. My original idea was to make an entry last thing every night but this could become too onerous.
The question is do I attempt to Blog daily, just on weekdays, only as the mood takes me or whenever I have something fresh to say? - comments welcome
I was way too tired to make an entry last night, after a fantastic evening, running a workshop for the Eastern Area of the Association of Speakers Clubs.
Speakers Clubs are a fantastic way of practising your public speaking and continuing to improve your skills. Attending a course (preferably mine http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ ) is a great way to gather public speaking skills very quickly. If you then go on to deliver regular presentations, your proficiency will increase greatly.
For those who only give occasional presentations, regular attendance at a public speaking club will maintain your confidence and keep you in practice.
Last nights workshop was on techniques for delivering "topics" - a 2 minute speech on a subject the deliverer has no prior knowledge of.
The biggest issue that people have regarding impromptu speaking is "brain freeze". You know that you know but you can't grasp the idea.
To overcome this, simply think about the topic and create an associated mental picture. Once you have a picture, just describe what you can see. You may not deliver a perfect speech but you will start training your brain to do better next time.
Keep checking www.bespeak.co.uk for Public Speaking Tips
The question is do I attempt to Blog daily, just on weekdays, only as the mood takes me or whenever I have something fresh to say? - comments welcome
I was way too tired to make an entry last night, after a fantastic evening, running a workshop for the Eastern Area of the Association of Speakers Clubs.
Speakers Clubs are a fantastic way of practising your public speaking and continuing to improve your skills. Attending a course (preferably mine http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ ) is a great way to gather public speaking skills very quickly. If you then go on to deliver regular presentations, your proficiency will increase greatly.
For those who only give occasional presentations, regular attendance at a public speaking club will maintain your confidence and keep you in practice.
Last nights workshop was on techniques for delivering "topics" - a 2 minute speech on a subject the deliverer has no prior knowledge of.
The biggest issue that people have regarding impromptu speaking is "brain freeze". You know that you know but you can't grasp the idea.
To overcome this, simply think about the topic and create an associated mental picture. Once you have a picture, just describe what you can see. You may not deliver a perfect speech but you will start training your brain to do better next time.
Keep checking www.bespeak.co.uk for Public Speaking Tips
Thursday 25 June 2009
Dinner Time
Had a fantastic evening at Chelmsford Speakers Club awards dinner. Good food and good company with a few speeches is a recipe for a great evening out.
All the speakers were club members. For some this was their first time giving an after dinner speech. For others it was perhaps only the second or third time. Everyone involved in the speeches did an excellent job which made the evening a great success.
After dinner speeches are great to listen to. Keep checking www.bespeak.co.uk for hints and tips on how to prepare and deliver speeches for all occasions.
Of course if you want someone to speak at your dinner get in touch via the website. There is a 10% discount if you mention reading this blog.
All the speakers were club members. For some this was their first time giving an after dinner speech. For others it was perhaps only the second or third time. Everyone involved in the speeches did an excellent job which made the evening a great success.
After dinner speeches are great to listen to. Keep checking www.bespeak.co.uk for hints and tips on how to prepare and deliver speeches for all occasions.
Of course if you want someone to speak at your dinner get in touch via the website. There is a 10% discount if you mention reading this blog.
Wednesday 24 June 2009
Who Coaches Who?
Many people approach Life Coaches asking for help to change direction or improve their current situation.
Most of these people already know what they want and which direction to go in. Taking sole responsibility for dramatic action is not something most of us do very well.
The job of a Life Coach is therefore to help people take the steps they have already decided upon. This shares the burden of responsibility and allows the clientto achieve their goals quicker and with less stress.
The coach will of course do a lot more than just nod agreement. Coaches are very valuable in helping to set an action plan and set S.M.A.R.T. goals. To find out more about S.M.A.R.T. goals visit www.bespeak.co.uk just reading the information that is provided there could be enough to set you on the path to personal success.
Most of these people already know what they want and which direction to go in. Taking sole responsibility for dramatic action is not something most of us do very well.
The job of a Life Coach is therefore to help people take the steps they have already decided upon. This shares the burden of responsibility and allows the clientto achieve their goals quicker and with less stress.
The coach will of course do a lot more than just nod agreement. Coaches are very valuable in helping to set an action plan and set S.M.A.R.T. goals. To find out more about S.M.A.R.T. goals visit www.bespeak.co.uk just reading the information that is provided there could be enough to set you on the path to personal success.
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Speak Up
Public Speaking is reckoned to be the number one fear for most people. So why is it that there are so many quality Public Speakers? Do they have no fear? Most speakers that I know (including myself) suffer from nerves before they speak in front of an audience. The trick is in not showing it.
From time to time I will publish some tips on public speaking in this blog as well as publishing articles on my web site www.bespeak.co.uk
Overcome those nerves. Act confident be confident. Walk to the podium slightly faster and more deliberately than you usually would. This makes you look keen to get get started. Pause for a second or two and make eye contact with the audience. Smile and deliver your opening line, which you will have rehearsed to perfection. Get this right and the rest is plain sailing.
From time to time I will publish some tips on public speaking in this blog as well as publishing articles on my web site www.bespeak.co.uk
Overcome those nerves. Act confident be confident. Walk to the podium slightly faster and more deliberately than you usually would. This makes you look keen to get get started. Pause for a second or two and make eye contact with the audience. Smile and deliver your opening line, which you will have rehearsed to perfection. Get this right and the rest is plain sailing.
Monday 22 June 2009
Another Beginning
I have been advised that having a Blog could help drive traffic to my web site (http://www.bespeak.com/). I understand that the biggest Blog search engine has about 12 million sites indexed, so any hints on getting mine noticed would be most welcome.
On to the main reason for the blog.
I am just starting a new business, one aspect of which is Motivational Workshops. The idea is to get people to achieve success through training the subconscious to motivate the conscious mind. There are many techniques that can help people achieve this. The best is visualise and replace.
When something doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to, go over the incident in your mind as if you were watching a film. Once you identify what went wrong, overwrite that part of your movie with the images you would have seen if all had gone according to plan.
Play the new movie back through your mind a few times and this will be the sequence that your subconscious will remember and act upon next time you are in the same situation.
This is a fantastic way to improve your golf swing as well.
http://www.bespeak.co.uk/
On to the main reason for the blog.
I am just starting a new business, one aspect of which is Motivational Workshops. The idea is to get people to achieve success through training the subconscious to motivate the conscious mind. There are many techniques that can help people achieve this. The best is visualise and replace.
When something doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to, go over the incident in your mind as if you were watching a film. Once you identify what went wrong, overwrite that part of your movie with the images you would have seen if all had gone according to plan.
Play the new movie back through your mind a few times and this will be the sequence that your subconscious will remember and act upon next time you are in the same situation.
This is a fantastic way to improve your golf swing as well.
http://www.bespeak.co.uk/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
