« Older Entries

It’s Very Important To Know All You Can About Our US Presidents – Including the Present One

Our founding fathers wanted a citizen’s government. They wanted normal people to be involved in choosing the direction of our nation, not just elite leaders, members of certain families, or special groups of people that got together to serve their own interests rather than the will of the people. At the same time they wanted to make sure that those who were in government and even those that voted had a vested stake in the future of this great nation.

This is why only land owners were allowed to vote at first. They also realized the challenges of an electorate that might utilize the government and take unfair advantage of the nation’s treasury and resources. That of course is very wise thinking isn’t it? The great thing about the United States is that we believe that anyone can become president and rise to that highest office, that everyone has a chance to succeed.

Still, it’s very important to understand who our leaders are, what they think, how they think, and if they are fully qualified. The position these days, seeing as the United States is the only world’s true superpower, mean our president is in essence the leader of the free-world and therefore, well let’s just say the stakes are quite high aren’t they?

Today, in 2012 the US electric has reelected our first black president, a testament to our diversity, and belief in our own system of freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. A belief in opportunity for all – that’s a wonderful thing, a noble cause, an incredible accomplishment for humankind as I’m sure you will agree.

Nevertheless, there is a very good book to read about President Barack Obama, this is a book I do own and often recommend to those who voted for him. You see, I believe everyone should know all there is to know about our sitting president whoever that might be at any particular present period. The name of the book I want to recommend is;

“The Amateur – Barack Obama in the White House” by Edward Klein, Regnery Book Publishers (an Eagle Publishing Company), Washington DC, 2012, 277 pages, ISBN: 978-1-59698-2.

This author also wrote the book; “The Truth About Hillary” many years the prior. This book suggests amongst other things that “Bill Clinton loathes Barack Obama and attempted to get Hillary to run against him,” and “how Obama split from the Kennedy family,” and “how Obama has taken a personal role in foreign policy more than any president since Richard Nixon – with disastrous results.”

After I read this book, I was rather shaken up and I felt that I knew less about our president than I ever had despite all that I had learned from the media, and in reading the president’s three memoirs which account for most of his wealth, that we know about. I encourage everyone to read this book and take a balanced approach, and consider how very important it is to know all you can about our US presidents, including the present one. Please think on it.

Tags:

Business Presentations and Stage Fright

We have one person in our office that must have been born with the skills, talent, and ability to be a total extrovert and give a speech or presentation at the drop of a hat. However, according to a human resource survey reported in 2005, approximately 15% of employed persons are highly apprehensive about communicating orally in organizational settings. Practically everyone – about 85% of the population, in fact – experiences “stage fright” when they give a speech.

Another person in our office, we’ll have to call him “Joe,” was pretty near the bottom of that 85%. He was probably one of the 5% of us who have an excessive and debilitating fear of speaking in public.

Realizing this could affect his career from moving forward, he decided he needed to do something. Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players,” but if we’re not pretty good players, then we may face missed business opportunities, lost clients, being passed over for promotions. Any of these occurrences can cost us tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career. So, our “Joe” went for help to acting professionals who teach transferring performance skills to the business arena, and it really made a difference.

I know of two places in Houston, Texas where they have acting classes to help the business person; “Joe” went to the Houston Academy of Dramatic Arts and Lasater Training Most cities of any size have acting schools which also offer lessons for business people who do presenting or any public speaking. Hopefully, you can find someone in your city if you need this type of training. Until then, the following tips should help improve your presentation skills:

    Practice: Okay it’s just like learning to play the piano, practice, practice, practice, but it’s surprising how many people don’t practice in front of a mirror or in front of friends. Visualize: See yourself successfully presenting to a pleased audience, and visualize your audience as just people no different than you. That’s who they are. Know your material: This one should be obvious, but many people simply don’t prepare their material and then have stage fright because they feel unprepared. Go figure. Focus on one idea that’s usable: All your audience really wants is to walk away with something they can use. Relax: If you are at ease your audience will be at ease. Use resources: A good Flash or PowerPoint presentation can make your presentation more interesting and make your job easier.

What will, of course, do the most good is real training, at an acting school or somewhere else, that incorporates practice before class audiences and develops skills such as voice control and body movement. “Joe” is now able to present at work and at networking events with the poise of Tom Cruise.

Tags:

Use of Visual Presentations in Motivational Speaking

One of the key goals of a motivational speaker is to reach out to the emotions of people so that he can tell them what they must do in a particular situation. It is most important that you must appeal to your audience. A powerful tool to help you build trust and gain control is visualization.

The best way to impress people is to give them a platform where they are able to see what they are taught. In modern age, you can use various presentation tools such as display stands, computers and projectors to make a difference to your speaking. People will be able to view the details of the topics being discussed.

In the organization, when a speaker is talking; he can use PowerPoint presentations so that he can explain in a better manner. People will not get bored and a speaker will be able to engage his audience. These days, online videos are also available. If you are discussing some historical event, you can get the related video from the internet and show it to people while you are delivering your message. This is the best way you can deliver your message based on facts. People will get affected by your efforts in this regard.

There are a lot of DVDs and CDs which can be used to show people what you want to say. You can recommend some of them to your audience as a part of your practice. In order to be a successful motivational speaker, you must make efforts and discover new ways to motivate people. With the advancement of technology and accessibility to internet, you will be able to get various methods to enhance your skills and knowledge. With the help of these tips, you will be able to become a successful speaker, mentor and practitioner and make difference in people’s life and goals.

Tags: