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but I discovered she was right: get out of your house or office and go for a walk. Seem dumb?  It’s really not, and according to research, it actually helps you see new connections, break up narrow thinking, encourage new ideas and expand the box you may be thinking  in.

It’s a pleasure to go for a walk where I live. Colorful Victorians, steep streets and dramatic city views are visible from nearly everywhere. At the top of my favorite street is a bench carved from a tree. It’s smooth and cozy, in the shade of stunning natural foliage and with a breathtaking view of San Francisco. Just sitting here for 5 minutes transports me away to another mental space. When I come back home, my mind feels uncluttered and ideas flow more easily.

I get a lot of ideas for my presentations when I come up here. And of course my heart is happy for the exercise.

Today I took great pleasure in watching my dog make friends with a towering 1 year old German Shepard; I loved watching kids squeal on the slide in the park. A group of Native Americans was dressed in traditional clothing and singing softly; nearby, a family party centered around a BBQ. I noticed a new garden, lovers holding hands, a boy flying a kite… None of this would have been part of my day had I not left the house.

I came back with a different perspective about what I was going to be presenting this week.

Next time you have to prepare a presentation, get out of your secure chair and take a short walk. Grab a notebook and a recording device, or just talk into your phone. Take pictures of what you see. Everything your mind captures can be an example, or spark a memory that leads to a story, a lesson or a metaphor.

It really is such a simple way to get ideas for your presentation.

What they shared in this very breast-baring presentation showed the capacity of their emotions, the ability to show their vulnerability, teach a life lesson, and ultimately, to connect with the audience.

There is an art to storytelling and there are many ways to do it well. These are learning experiences. What matters is that storytelling is a powerful way to share your information that will remain in the minds of your audience much longer than miles of procedures and buckets of statistics.

And the end result: you will more successfully accomplish your purpose.

Learn to use powerful storytelling techniques! http://tinyurl.com/87deavv

Click here to read the text: http://tinyurl.com/arzpqho

#2: Conclude your presentation by leaving your audience with a final thought, action or appeal. Don’t end with “that’s it” or just drifting away.

#3 SMILE! No matter how rotten your day has been, how nervous or unprepared you feel, SMILE. It will relax you and make your audience more receptive. Don’t let anyone think you don’t want to be there.

#4 This is a tip for women (and some men), and often younger speakers. Often you (they) use a different kind of language. They come across as being more tentative, hedging, and using heresay. Instead, take ownership! Be direct! Be straightforward about expressing what you know.

#5 If you get pulled off track in your presentation, and especially if you start running out of time, ask yourself: What do I really, absolutely need my audience to know at this point? It’s a good trigger to get you to focus on what matters most, and to separate it from all the things you think would be nice to cover and you wish you could talk about.

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On your each monthly page (or screen if you’re digital) of your calendar, write down your focus for that month. Work on that one technique all month so you get really good and it becomes automatic. The next month you add in the next technique.

Based on the fantastic response to my facebook page, Secrets For Writing Powerful Presentations, these are the most popular tips, which I’ve simplified for you. They include delivery and writing techniques, and are in no particular order.

#1: Give sustained eye contact.

#2: Tell stories.

#3: If you get lost, ask yourself “what do I really, absolutely need my audience to know?”

#4: Smile!!!

#5: Speak from your heart.

#6: Conclude your presentation by leaving your audience with a final thought, action or appeal.

#7: (This is mostly for women because they tend to be tentative and hedge more.) Take ownership, and be direct and straightforward about expressing what you know.

#8: Use the technique of repetition to drive home a point.

#9: Use graphical images, not bullets, on your PowerPoint slides.

#10: Do an audience analysis so you know who you’re talking to and can meet their expectations.

#11: Pause!

#12: Organize your presentation in 7 EASY steps. Buy my ebook here and find out how:

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There you have it. Your list of New Year’s Resolutions For Giving A Speech!

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I’d love to hear your requests for topics! Please click on the Contact tab and let me know your interests.

Peace on earth,

Marla

http://www.breathing-zone.com/

True, in an interview you’ll be talking about what you’ve done. That’s what everyone does. But to have an edge over other candidates, continue on and show how you can transfer those skills or strengths to the new job responsibilities. Talk about the “you” (the employer) and what you’ll do for them.

I recently helped a young friend with her resume and cover letter. Her letter was weak in that every sentence started with “I” (and it also repeated much of what was in her resume.) She concluded by saying that the prospective job sounded like fun (that’s about her) and that it would be a good experience for her to have on her resume (selfishly about her). This is not what employers want to hear. They want to know how you can meet their needs, so sell it!

A cover letter should be brief and concise (well under a page). Just like in a speech, give three main points. They can be strong attributes about you, major or relevant accomplishments that transfer to the new job, or experiences that highlight your use of the skills they’re looking for.

In an interview, you have to assertively sell yourself. Rather than start everything with “I,” replace as many of those with “you,” showing how you’re thinking of addressing their needs and making them feel your focus will be on helping them meet their business goals.

This may feel awkward to do at first, so in preparation for an interview or even a phone screening, jot down some notes for yourself, focusing on things that stand out about you. Now write each item out so that you use the word “YOU” instead of “I” 90% of the time.

I bet you will sell yourself much more effectively!

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