Conversation With Yourself
Conversation With Yourself First off know that it’s completely normal and natural to be nervous before speaking. We are born with two natural fears: The fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. The other fears are products of our environment, including public speaking. It’s no wonder so many people fear public speaking, it has been hard-wired into many peoples psyche via our external environment, subconscious conditioning in fact. If all we hear, read, and hear again is that public speaking is more feared than death, how can that possibly set up anyone for public speaking success? Most people start out defeated. A lot of people who fear public speaking have never even spoken in front of a group! Powerful isn’t it. Here’s the good news! It truly does not have to stay that way. If we can be subconsciously conditioned to fear public speaking we can also, intentionally and consciously choose and create our own thoughts around speaking publicly. The mindsets and habits that got you to where you are NOW, is NOT going to get you to where you want to go. If you want to get to the next level, you need to UPGRADE your mindset and an internal script about yourself as a speaker. Here are the steps to take: First, take a moment and acknowledge what your internal script is about you as a speaker. Write it out and own it. Reset it and re-create your new powerful internal script. Commit to it. Act with intention on it and use it as your new permanent script. When your internal conversation with yourself is empowering, it sets you up for external success, public speaking success. This is an excerpt from my book: Speak Like Your Breathe: 30 Lessons to Become a Naturally Confident Speaker. Get it here: http://speakandgetbooked.com/products/speak-like-breathe/ Karen D
How to Show Up and Get Noticed
How to Show Up and Get Noticed How to Show Up and Get Noticed at Work EventsYou have a work event that’s coming up and you’ve decided to attend, and work events make you kind of uncomfortable. Here are a few tips to take the discomfort out of networking with your colleagues and boss. First, you have to decide if you’re going to just attend the event or attend and get noticed for the right reasons. Work events are prime time to set yourself up for a promotion and get the attention of decision-makers in a social, relaxed atmosphere. Here are the tips: Make Small TalkIf you’re not a big talker, you ask the questions – get people talking about themselves with open-ended questions that encourage a lengthier response. Example: are you going on vacation this year? Where did you go last year? Tell me about your trip. How did you celebrate the holidays? Research Your BossCheck out their LinkedIn profile and find commonalities or shared experiences that will start a conversation. Example: How did you get started in the industry? I saw that you support (insert charity/organization), how long you have you been doing that? How did you get involved? Decide Your Motive BEFOREHANDAre going to just socialize? (that’s ok) or you going to make power moves? Once you know your mindset going in, it becomes a less stressful occasion and you can focus on your technique. Network in Your OrganizationUse this opportunity to meet new co-workers in the organization. It is tempting to hang with people you know, but by making new connections, you find out about new career options that may exist and now you have a direct contact! Now the ball is in your court. Take the tips and use them. Karen Donaldson
How To Be More Approachable
How To Be More Approachable Has someone ever told you that you’re unapproachable? Or do you ever feel like when you go out somewhere, you’re the last person people come up to? Well, let’s have a conversation about how you can be and look more approachable. Use this one powerful tip to help you feel more comfortable, be more open and inviting, and create the atmosphere around you that will draw people to you and increase your social interactions. Smile Often If you’re not a smiler you need to become one. For some people smiling comes naturally and for some it doesn’t. Smiling can put anyone at ease and makes you look approachable. People around you will notice your smile and think that you’re friendly, pleasant and open to conversation. Studies show that smiling helps to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and your heart rate, which would put you at ease in social situations. Here’s an exercise for you to build your approachability factor: For the next 48 hours, greet everyone you see with a smile. What you’ll experience is that people will respond with a smile to match yours, you’ll be perceived as pleasant and you’ll generally feel better. Ready to step up your confidence and be a powerhouse communicator more relatable and likeable??? If so, >> CLICK HERE >> and set up a call with Karen to find out more about her Confidence coaching programs.
Trying to Talk and Be Heard?? It’s all in the Voice
Trying to Talk and Be Heard?? It’s all in the Voice We all speak everyday, but what many don’t realize is that the way we use our voice can command attention or be a distraction. Whenever you’re at a meeting, delivering a presentation or simply having a conversation and want to ensure that you’re heard, a great strategy is to monitor your tone. Be mindful of what your tone sounds like as well as the impression it makes on the audience. Here’s how to best use your voice to increase your impact and be heard: You want to use a moderate to low tone. When you have an intentional command over your words it represents the image of self-confidence, and implies competence and full knowledge on the subject. Many times you speak a mile a minute because, you want to say a lot of things in as little time as possible. You want ensure you don’t leave anything out. However when this happens, you struggle to fit in words upon words in a single breath, then you sound like you’re racing and unprepared. Other times, you may tend to say things in an overly excited, high pitched tone. (This used to be me all of the time) Once again leaving you sounding unequipped. Here’s what to do: Whenever this happens, pause with grace (that means smile), take a deep breath, collect your thoughts and pick up from there. The trick here is to always be calm in your interactions with other people so that you can carry and present yourself as a true leader. Ready to show up with increased clout and learn how to command attention when you speak? If so, >> CLICK HERE >> and set up a call with Karen to find out more about her Confidence coaching programs.
A Lack of Motivation Is Not The Reason Why People Don’t Succeed
A Lack of Motivation Is Not The Reason Why People Don’t Succeed By Karen Donaldson Motivation is no one’s “real” problem; it’s a lack of clarity, focus and lack of direction that is the true issue at hand. The problem is that motivation can be a curse if you lack self-awareness, focus and a commitment to “doing the right things”. Have you ever experienced being totally energized and motivated and by the end of the day you slow down and realize that you really did not get much accomplished? That’s what I mean by a lack of clarity and focus. When a person is motivated, but that energy and motivation are sending them in the wrong direction or if they have conflicting desires within themselves, that person is going to wear themselves out or become frustrated fast. This is what causes people to give up and settle. More important than having motivation is to understand what you are motivated by, and this is why self-awareness if the foundation of personal achievement. Whenever you venture forward on a new project or professional or personal goal, you must start by asking yourself the following questions and be clear on the answer to every single on of them before proceeding. What do you want? What do you want to achieve? Why do you want to achieve that specific goal? How will it make you feel when you achieve it? What will it look like when you achieve the goal? You see we get so caught up in the steps and when we feel stuck or like things are at a standstill, it overwhelms and we; slow our pace, get frustrated or stop altogether, or just settle. And (Yes, yes, I know you’re not supposed to start a sentence with and!) Settling is NEVER and option. Choose to know where you are going and why you are going there before you start. Now, if you’re ready and serious about breaking your plateau, and ready to accept support to do so, >> CLICK HERE >> and set up a call with Karen to find out more about her Confidence coaching programs.
8 Habits Standing Between You And What You Want
8 Habits Standing Between You And What You Want Starting today, stop doing the following… Playing it safe.Have you ever tucked something of value “in a safe place” out of fear that someone might ruin it or steal it from you? And then one day woke to the realization that you had hid it so well that even YOU couldn’t find it? If so, then you understand the wisdom of leaving your heart and your dreams in the wide open. To reach for what can be, even when we’re doubtful. To let go of what is lost, even when it’s painful. To live as though we’re brave, even when we’re fearful. These are the trials we face and the choices we make along the path to happiness and success. Tolerating the influence of negative people.Sometimes we forgive people simply because we want them in our life, and sometimes we need to let go of them simply because we have had enough. Saying goodbye is one of the most painful ways to solve a problem, but from time to time it’s necessary. Letting failed relationships haunt new relationships.There’s a purpose to every failed relationship. The purpose is not to lower your expectations, but to raise your standards. Remember, you don’t want someone who chooses you solely for what’s good about you. You need someone who sees the bad too, and still appreciates you just the way you are. Expecting constant bliss.True happiness is not found just within positivity, it is found within reality, which means accepting the fact that both positivity and negativity coexist. Trying to be 100% positive all the time is wanting to be an ocean in which waves only rise up and never come crashing down. However, when we recognize that the rising and crashing waves are part of the same one ocean, we are able to let go and be at peace with the way things are, which leads us to happier, more productive places in the long-term. Dwelling on the things you’ve lost.In life, there are some people and things you’re going to have to lose in order to find your best self. So be grateful for what you have right now, try not to dwell on the things you’ve lost, strive for what you want most, and keep marching forward. Overlooking the lesson.Everything happens for a reason – a reason you can learn and grow from. People change so you can learn how to let go. Things go wrong so you learn to appreciate things when they go right. You believe lies at first so you eventually learn who you can truly trust. And sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Being overly critical of yourself.If you feel like everyone is judging you all the time, realize that we often feel this way when we are too busy judging ourselves. Letting pessimism feed your procrastination.We have two choices when we wake up in the morning: either we go back to sleep and dream, or we wake up and chase that dream. We often spend way too much time wondering why we’re not good enough, and discrediting ourselves, instead of giving ourselves credit. We waste too much time with our heads down and hearts closed, never giving ourselves a chance to look up from the ground to see that the sun is shining bright, and that today is another perfect opportunity to take action and pursue our dreams. Now it’s time to get what you really want. By Karen Donaldson
7 Habits for a Happy Life
7 Habits for a Happy Life Happiness is within your power, it’s those who decide to chase it and enjoy the process that lives the most fulfilled lives. We are what we repeatedly do, if you don’t do it, it won’t happen. Here are some habits to consider if true happiness is on your vision board. Habit #1 Work on your mental health, nothing matters more than this, if you are not working on improving your mental health happiness is kind of elusive. Habit #2 Take your time to be grateful and journal it. Remember it. Habit #3 Choose what’s important and who’s important to you, everything else, let it go. Habit #4 Self-love and self-confidence, know yourself and your value, your standards, what you want, what you like. Habit #5 Focus on the good things, but understand the bad parts and the lessons they can give you. Habit #6 Surround yourself with happy people, whether you believe in energies or auras is your thing, but if negativity surrounds you it will affect you, same with happiness. Habit #7 Don’t let a label define you completely, it’s okay to have labels, but letting that label define, excludes the possibility for change, and change is necessary for us to become the best version of ourselves. These are all important habits you need to have in order to become happy. Your happiness is your responsibility and no one else’s. Make sure to these other important things such as; giving back, having a creative outlet, and more importantly kindness. Life is all about the little things, learn to enjoy them.
Virtual Valentines Dates…..Creative Ways For Couples To Celebrate Valentine’s Day During COVID
Virtual Valentines Dates…..Creative Ways For Couples To Celebrate Valentine’s Day During COVID This year, Valentine’s Day 2021, will look quite different than Valentine’s day 2020. While still being in the midst of a pandemic, for some, intimate dinners, face-to-face evening outs, larger gatherings, and special events are a thing of the past. However, it does not mean that you can’t celebrate Valentine’s day with your special someone virtually. Here are two ideas for virtual Valentine’s dates. Who: Couples What To Do: Cook a virtual meal together, then eat together online. But allow the Valentine dates to start even before the actual day. Decide on a meal together; appetizer, main, and dessert, get the grocery shopping done (try and choose a recipe that neither of you has tried before…that’s more fun) and have everything lined up for your virtual date night. When the time comes, prep together and cook together, then when finished, set your virtual table to look like you are in front of each other, and enjoy your Valentines dinner with your favourite glass of wine or beverage of choice. It keeps the “fun” alive in your relationship and studies show that: “couples who eat together are more likely to report maximum happiness with their relationship”. Who: Couples What To Do: Get online together and take a virtual vacation If you had to cancel a vacation because of COVID, or are keen to plan your next vacay once local travel restrictions are lifted, you can make a date of it and walk through your favorite locations now. Use the fabulous platform https://virtualvacation.us and choose from a selection of walking, driving or flying tours to locations such as Dubai, Shanghai, Mexico City, New York and more. Enjoy the views together now, why wait. Valentine’s Day celebrations can still happen, they simply will look a little different this year. Either way, making and spending time with someone in person or virtually will indeed always bring you closer to each other.
Singles this is for you: Virtual Valentine’s Dates… Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day if You’re Single
Singles this is for you: Virtual Valentine’s Dates… Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day if You’re Single Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you have to scoff at all the couple’s selfies that you see online. You too can enjoy Valentine’s day if you so choose. Let’s get real, you don’t have to be coupled up with a significant other to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Here’s are a few ways to enjoy VDay when you’re single. Change your attitude. If you expect to have a crappy day, it will be a crappy day. Set out to enjoy Valentine’s day while single and pull in a few single friends to do the same. Throw a “you are my Valentine/ Galentines” LIVE OR VIRTUAL dinner party and invite all of your single friends over to your Galentines dinner party. Love is love any way you think about it. Have them over and do a gift exchange as well, make sure to pull names beforehand so the gifts can be customized and thoughtful. Just make a pact that there are no gift cards allowed. Have a group Valentine’s date. Love is love any way you think about it. Throw a virtual “you are my Galentine’s/Valentine’s dinner party and invite all of your single girlfriends or friends. Choose a theme and a dress code. If the date is virtual even decorate your background to coincide with the virtual theme. Here’s why it works; you won’t be alone and you can love on each other and dismiss the need or pressure to have a significant other Have a Netflix flix binge with single friends, plan the date, time and menu. You can watch a movie at the same time, you can even chat to each other and do the standard movie “ooohs, awwws and I can’t believe it comments” through the chat function that Netflix now has. At the end of the movie, you can do a “share your favorite moment of the movie session” over Zoom, with a glass of your favorite wine or tea. Plan your next Group vacation. If you are keen to plan your next vacay once local travel restrictions are lifted, you can make a date of it and walk through your favorite locations now. Use the fabulous platform https://virtualvacation.us and choose from a selection of walking, driving, or flying tours to locations such as Dubai, Shanghai, Mexico City, New York, and more. Enjoy the views together now, why wait. In short, simply enjoy the day with people you care about