PRACTICE

My colleague, coach Melissa West and I were on our weekly Greenlake walk, and spied this bright fellow whizzing by on his unicycle - wow! So colorful and well-balanced . . .

So the next time he came by we talked with him. How did he choose the unicycle? He, Sanjay, told us he was a bicyclist who found himself passed by a unicyclist last year on the annual Seattle to Portland trek, the famous STP ride. So he vowed to learn it. He said it took him 3 months of daily practice to master the balance aspect of it.

Daily practice - yes! That is what it takes for mastery - daily practice. The unexpected benefit he said was more life balance as well.

There are always unexpected benefits from daily practice -
whether it is a work out at the gym, running, the breathing exercises I am always touting, meditation, flossing . . . .

Inner strength, mostly . . . confidence.

Try it!

PASSION

Oh, my!
Such presence in that word! Passion.

When you are making a presentation of any kind,
if you want to truly engage
the hearts and minds of your audiences,
you must find in your material something
that you feel truly passionate about.

This one factor - passion - makes all the difference.

No matter how seemingly dull or dry
your subject area, ask yourself:

"Why, if it's so dull & dry -
why am I talking about it?
What moves me?"

I'll bet you'll find there's an idea, an image,
specific language, a gesture, an exercise,
or a question that captures your fancy,
energizes your spirit . . .

Use that bit as the core of your presentation.
Then build upon that energy to create
the fire in your belly and the light in your eyes.

This can be the vehicle to take you out
into the minds of your large audience,
team or small group.

And into their hearts - Yes!

© 2007-2009 Constance Miller. All rights reserved.