How To Ace Your Next Presentatio

July 31st, 2018


How To Ace Your Next Presentation

The best way to give a 20 minute presentation is to give a 15 minute presentation. Take your time, stay relaxed, don't rush.

Your more likely to remain calm.

Your audience is more likely to remain calm and stay more engaged/ less antsy.

Many people try to give a 25 or 30 minute presentation in 20 minutes, trying to squish as much data, jokes, facts, graphics, pizzaz, and more.

They strive and strain to impress and wow.

They rush and get overwhelmed and flustered.

They go over the allotted time. (This gives the audience the impression that the presenter does not value their time or his own time).

All for what?

Nah. Pass on that. Stick with the 15 minute presentation.

You'll be able to elaborate and explain more thoroughly.

You'll feel and do better. Your audience will gain a lot more from the presentation.

In the words of Seth Godin, "Portion control is your friend. Figure out how big the plate is and serve just the right amount."

And remember that this is an analogy for life, too.

We have a limited amount of time (both in specific situations as well as in how long we live).

Squeezing in as much as you can is not effective nor does it produce the results/ outcome you desire.

Prioritize and proceed purposefully and peacefully and you'll be a lot more productive.
        

When You're A Stranger

July 24th, 2018


When You're A Stranger

People are strange when they are strangers.

When you take the time to get to know somebody, they probably won't seem that strange anymore. Their idiosyncrasies will likely make sense.

Remember that everyone's tendencies and habits came from somewhere. Everybody you meet is fighting battles that you know nothing about. Be patient. Be kind. Give the benefit of the doubt.

And when you can, get to know the person.

Anonymity can often feed judgment and contempt. Connection fosters empathy and compassion. 

The Value of a Life(time)

July 17th, 2018

The Value of a Life(time)

We underestimate the magnitude of change that can occur over a lifetime. 

We tend to see our present as static, when in reality, the smallest of changes can create a tremendous ripple effect.

A single drop of water can erode rock to form a canyon.

A butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can cause a hurricane elsewhere (see: Butterfly Effect). 

A kind word can change or save a life.

Ultimately, a "minute localized change in a complex system" (such as a human being) can have significant effects elsewhere

According to author and former dot com executive, Seth Godin, an Apple upgrade that breaks a single consumer's phone and causes them to switch to Android costs Apple over $10,000.

A single person switching supermarkets because the clerk was rude costs the store $50,000 of ongoing revenue.

A child that had a detrimental teacher or who was bullied might "decrease his productivity for the rest of us by a million dollars."

The upshot is that the immediate effects of what we do (whether positive or negative) is overshadowed by the long-term effects.

Over time, one-off errors and missteps fade away. Our mistakes do not define us.

Over time, small things become big things. Habits matter.

Judgment

July 13th, 2018


Judgment

What is the difference between shameless behavior and shameful behavior?

It is a matter of perspective.

Do not be too quick to dismiss someone's behavior as shameless.

And do not be too quick to judge your behavior as shameful.

Dictionary.com defines shameless as something "audacious"; "insensible to disgrace"; "showing no shame".

These are not necessarily bad things.

Meanwhile, shameful is defined as "causing shame."

Some shameless behavior can be shameful. But not always.

People are entitled to feel what they feel.

But guilt is to feel that your behavior was bad or wrong.

Shame is to feel that you are bad or wrong.

Be kind. Forgive. We are all human.

 

"Intention" vs "Out-tension"

July 10th, 2018


"Intention" vs "Out-tension" 


Oftentimes, when we think we are setting an intention, what we are actually doing is setting an "out-tension."

Allow me to explain.

An INtension is about one's own Self. In is centered in what we can control and is rooted in acceptance of what is. It is about the process and the journey. It is flexible. It is about aligning ourselves with our values and integrity. It is self-directed, inspiring, rooted in personal empowerment and peace.

An OUTtention, on the other hand, is about things outsides of ourselves. It is about changing external circumstances and controlling events and people. It is focused on altering the outside in an attempt to make it feel more tolerable rather than undergoing the process of personal evolution, growth, and metamorphosis. It is outcome focused, conditional, and often removes us from the present. It is rigid.

As you go about setting intentions in your own life, check in with yourself using what I've described above to figure out whether they are actually out-tentions.

If you identify an out-tension, dig a little deeper - there is often an intention lying underneath it. In other words, you can ask yourself what need - or wish or hope or desire - you are trying to meet with the out-tension.

For example, if your identified out-tension is to get a promotion, some needs underlying could be:

- Need to be recognized/ validated for your work (Could you work on recognizing/ validating yourself?)

- Need to engage in meaningful/ fulfilling work (In what ways could you bring meaning/ fulfillment to your current role? Could you take initiative to ask for projects that better suit your interests and goals? Is it time to apply for another job and transition to a different company?)

- Need to provide for yourself/ your family (In what ways could you supplement your current income right now?)

There are many more examples, of course.

Remember, an INtension begins from the INside and is rooted from withIN.

And there lies the power and the magic needed for transformation.


What are some intentions (or out-tensions) you have set for your life recently? How has it (they) been going?

When Something Shows Up

July 6th, 2018


When Something Shows Up

Nothing manifests itself in your life for the purpose of being avoided, rejected, denied or condemned.

Don't judge the gift by its wrapper.

Binary Thinking

July 3rd, 2018


Binary Thinking

There are two types of people in the world: those who think that there are only two types of people and those who know that we are all unique and we all share a common humanity.

Dichotomies rarely exist.

Most things are not black or white.

When it feels like you are stuck, as yourself whether you might be thinking in absolutes and how you might expand your perspective and open yourself up possibilities.