Be Not Deterred
Don’t let anybody’s dismissive language or put-downs deter you from seeking knowledge. Seek!
Protecting Your Mental Health
The best action I’ve taken to protect my own well-being is to not join my Mom in her unhappiness. I acknowledge her unhappiness, but I don’t put it on and wear it with her.
Mom Is Unhappy – Depression In A Parent
My Mom never rebounded from her divorce from my Dad, from me and my brother eventually going to live with Dad, from the sale of the family cabin, from the death of her Mom, from the sale of her childhood home. She’s been unhappy since 1971 (the divorce), and it got a little worse with …
Good Eye Contact Takes Practice
It’s hard enough maintaining good eye contact while you’re speaking to an audience. It’s 10 times harder after you’ve forgotten what you were going to say next. Places to practice making good eye contact: Cashiers at grocery stories, department stories, gas stations Baristas Wait-staff at restaurants Bartenders Table Topics section of a Toastmasters club meeting …
Toastmasters and nervousness
When I first joined Toastmasters in 2010, I thought I’d learn how to mentally force myself to have zero butterflies before getting up to speak. But that never happened. Speaking while nervous is how I got through the 10 prepared speeches in my Toastmasters Competent Communicator speaking manual.
Overcoming Nervousness When I Speak
I use a 1-2-3-punch combination of: inhale + square shoulders + smile It’s important that the combo starts with inhaling. This combo acts as a re-set back to confidence.