The Power of Personality! April 23, 2008
Posted by Gary in Image and Impressions, Personal Development, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Values and Beliefs, Videos & Podcast.add a comment
Oh dear me! I’d never thought I’d see such an example of personality on stage! And I’m glad I did!
You see, I’m not a big fan of television (amazing, considering how we used to be inseparable when I was younger), but as fate would have it, I switched it on today just in time to catch the latest episode of American Idol on tv! Now, I’m not a big fan of the series either. I’ve nothing against it, I’m just not glued to it. But, I’m so glad that I’d managed to chance upon it today – simply because of the example I want to show you pertaining to the power of personality on stage!
Yes! That episode got me so excited that I’ve decided to blog about it now (whilst I’m still in the middle of preparing for my examinations…)!
Alright, enough preliminaries! Here’s a quick lowdown of the episode to give you a little more information about what I’m all excited about: (more…)
Keys to a Question – How to Sound Intelligent when Asking a Question? April 17, 2008
Posted by Gary in Dealing with People, Image and Impressions, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide.2 comments
I want to ask a Question!
How many of you have had the following experience: We listen intently to the mechanics and instructions during a lecture/briefing session and our brilliant brains identify a gap/question which needs to be addressed. Yet, gripped with fear and shyness, we let the questions pass… only to have them surface later during the course of our work, or allow a co-worker/rival steal ahead of us to “showcase” their wonderful thought process and impress the boss?
Breaking the silence and raising a question can be an extremely scary prospect. Sometimes, it’s really out of respect that we do not wish to rock the boat or question the speaker’s authority or intelligence that keeps us quiet. Other times, we’re just afraid of looking stupid because we’re afraid that we might ask the “wrong” question.
Well, regardless the reason for your fear, I’ve got news to share with you!:
THERE’S A SAFE AND SOUND WAY TO ASK QUESTIONS WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF LOOKING STUPID OR SHOWING DISRESPECT TO THE SPEAKER!!!
(PS: And it could boost your perceived intelligence too! *winks*)
Won’t you like to find out how asking questions can be a painless and rewarding process? Check out the following keys you can use to ignite your question: (more…)
Mom’s Lesson #7 – Love + Sacrifce April 13, 2008
Posted by Gary in Dealing with People, Hope & Inspiration, Personal Development, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.1 comment so far
I could still remember the days. It was dark, cold, and I was sweaty. My bed was soaked with perspiration and the room was warm and stuffy. More often than not, I’d be running a temperature, and I’d be feeling miserable. There, as I tossed, turned and drifted in shallow sleep, the ceilings lights were flicked on.
Then as I lay there in misery, a calm and soothing voice would rouse me from my hollowed sleep, saying, “It’s time to have your medicine, boy”.
A spoonful of cough mixture, a handful of tablets, and a glass of water were the normal concoction of ‘potions’ that often greet me in the dead of night. Slowly, gently, they were fed into my hands, for me to toss into my mouth, before I wade back to dream… at 3am in the morning.
At 5 years old, I didn’t know it but my Mom was teaching me the biggest lesson of my life. (more…)
Mom’s Lesson #6 – Go Forth, and Explore! As Long as It’s Good for You April 4, 2008
Posted by Gary in Hope & Inspiration, Personal Development, The Shy Speakers' Guide.1 comment so far
Those of you who read my earlier post would have realised by now that I’m not one who really fancies studying. One of the reasons for my disinterest really has got to do with the standards set my brother, really. After a few years of trying, and the with the lure of Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Command and Conquer, I eventually succumbed to the temptations of procrastination, recreation and procrastination. Things weren’t very rosy back then.
Yet, whatever I lacked academically, I’d excelled activitically (is there even such a word?!). Yet, through it all, my mom never stopped me from pursuing and exploring my interest and activities which she thought would do me good. (more…)
