Bolder!

Secret Ingredient For A Successful Workshop

Want to know the secret to a great workshop?  One word -- 

Enthusiasm. 

 

It comes from the Greek word "enthusiasmos" meaning "inspired by the gods." Think about it -- we all like to hang around people who are inspired and inspiring. There's something magnetic about them. We come away feeling good about them and ourselves.

 

You can have the hottest topic, lots of handouts and powerful PowerPoints but if you lack enthusiasm, your audience won't buy it. However, when you get jazzed about your topic and the value you're delivering, people leave wanting more. 

So turn up the volume on the positive self-talk and fire up your enthusiasm for what you're up to. Transform any limitng beliefs. Then get out there and inspire someone.

 

Without even trying, your presentation will make a powerful impact.

Saying "No"

My friend, Jane Pollak, has an interesting discussion going on in her blog about how to say 'no'. She talks about how Anne Lamott, author and speaker, creatively says 'no' to requests for endorsements and autographs.

I love Anne Lamott's work as well and had the privilege of meeting her. She is very clear on her boundaries and not apologetic about honouring them. Lack of that clarity and forgetting to take care of ourselves is what ties up in knots.

If you pay close attention to why a 'no' feels hard, you'll find an underlying assumption. We assume our 'no' hurts the other person so we want to take care of them, ease their disappointment. But when we do that we are holding the other person small and weak, assuming they can't take the truth.

The best way to say and hear no is a simple "No", clear and precise. There's no need to apologise or excuse ourselves, no need to caretake. In fact, when we dither or hold out false hope, it leaves everyone without a clear direction. 

I like Paul Newman's way of handling this. If he was asked to do something he didn't want to do he replied "I don't do that".  That answer is clear, indicates choice and reduces the possibility of the other party cajoling us to say yes, because pleading creates guilt which responds with a 'yes' . When that happens, we feel resentful and no one wins.

If you simply want time to think about your response then clarity is still your best bet. State your need  by saying, "I need some time to think about it." Give yourself and the other person a deadline  on when you'll get back to them. "Can I call you tomorrow with my answer?"

When you are clear and precise with your answers you come across as a successful person who can be counted on because when you say 'Yes' everyone, including yourself, knows that it means something.

Declutter Your Schedule, Part 2

In my last post I shared two tips for creating space in your busy day. Here are the next two.

1. Don't overload your schedule.

 

Many of us think we're Bionic and capable of charging through the world's longest to-do list. Rather, take a step back, sniff the roses and re-assess. Do you really need to do it all? Give yourself a reasonable amount of time for work, to do the things all responsible adults must do and then give yourself time to play. Without guilt.

 

2. If you add something, you must subtract something.

 

If you make this a rule it could revolutionize your life. Just like budgeting your income, you need to realise there is only so much time to spend.

 

I recommend reviewing your schedule at least yearly. However, if you're like me, quarterly is not too often. I suspect you'll be pleased with the results of decluttering your schedule on a regular basis

 

Practice awareness and see what shifts in your life.

Declutter Your Schedule

Not sure how to find some quiet time in your day? Try this method to focus your time.

 

1. Track your time.

You need to know where your time is being spent before you can make any changes. You may think you already know but tracking always yields a few surprises. Don't worry about changing anything while you're doing this. Your only job is to track and record. Write on your calendar or make a list.

2. Cut the fat.

With your list, review each item and ask yourself it this activity is moving you closer to your goals or distracting you. Do you really need to watch another episode of CSI? Could the dishes wait for another hour? Can you enlist help with chores? Could you drop this item altogether?

Hang on to your list. Next post I'll give you two more tips on how to declutter your schedule.