Speaking to Win: The Blog

Archive for July, 2008

Speaking Tip Of The Day: The Obstacles~ Everyone Gets Nervous!

Everyone gets nervous before a speech. The most respected actors, writers, and public speakers literally shake, hyperventilate, or even vomit before going on stage…flop sweat.  The only difference between them and you is that they know from experience that no matter how anxious they feel, they will get through it. So if fear or anxiety

Speaking Tip Of The Day: Focusing The Content Of Your Speech~Who Is Your Audience?

The perceived value of your company or campaign rests in your ability as a leader to effectively communicate your vision with clarity and passion to your desired audience. As a leader, your audience is both the people who work for you and those to whom you sell your products or services or from whom you

Speaking Tip Of The Day: A Conversation With Your Fears

The poet Rilke said, “Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” Rather than trying to silence them, consider fear and anxiety as important signals from a part of you that is seeking your love and support. This part if you, which manifests in the words and

Mary Anne’s Speaker Spotlight: Al Gore Challenges America with a Visionary Call To Action 5 Stars

MARY ANNE’S SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT *      Snoozeland  **    Get out the hook!***   OK but could be better****  Good with great potential***** Great and ground breaking Speeches are rated based on their rhetoric, writing, delivery, emotional and inspirational impact. Al Gore Challenges America with a Visionary Call To Action 5 stars Al Gore gave a terrific speech

Speaking Tip of the Day: The Audience~ One Pair Of Eyeballs At A Time

So now you have your speech written and it’s time for you to face an actual AUDIENCE. UH OH! THEY’RE WATCHING! But “Uh oh!!!” I can hear you whining and screaming from here. “That means I have to get up there all by myself, face a huge sea of people, who probably won’t like me

Speaking Tip Of The Day: The Dreaded Writers Block

OK, so you’ve decided to face your fears and you are going to tackle this public speaking thing head on. And now you have a speech to give. So now you are sitting there with your computer and a big blank screen. Or you have a big pad of paper, a pen and a big

Fear Of Public Speaking: Would You Rather Be Giving The Eulogy or Be Inside The Coffin?

In a recent Seinfeld episode, Jerry was sitting at a funeral. He turns to the person next to him and comments, “Did you know that they say people fear public speaking more than they fear death? That means that more people would rather be inside the coffin than giving the eulogy!” Seinfeld was right. In

HITTING THE WALL – PART 3: CONCLUSION

In his lovely and warm French accent and with the kindest tone, Jean Phi gently encouraged me as I continued to gut out that 244th hill.  It felt endless, but at least now, I had some company on the road. Jean Phi smiled and said warmly, “Mary Anne you are doing SO WELL! I’m very

HITTING THE WALL – PART 2

At about mile 45 in the 100 degree heat, that the ride all started to unravel for me. We had just left Carnation and I was crawling up Tolt Hill.  The other riders had taken off at a brisk pace and I was so slow that by the time I finally did get to the

HITTING THE WALL – PART 1

Today we are continuing our discussion of the voices in our heads and the rich insights and energy they have to offer. And lest you fear that I’ve been masquerading as a professional with a closet multiple personality disorder all these years, I assure you that every one of us shares this common experience of