An Igloo is for Kids of All Ages

This past weekend we had a snowstorm in Denver that brought 15" or more of snow to most of the area. After a morning of shoveling out our neighbors and several rounds of hot chocolate, we decided to scrap turn our backs on technology!

I turned my computer off. Put the cell phone away. Stopped watching t.v. and even said goodbye to our furnace. Yes, we decided we were moving into our new home...our made-for-two igloo in our front yard.

Ahh, the simple life. She had her bedroom and I had my family room where I could sit up in full comfort. We brought some cans of soup, some ketchup, and somehow a bottle of protein powder made it into our bag of take-alongs. We were set.

What would your simple life look like? Did you know there is an actual method and a teacher for building a more simple life? Checkout speaker Eric Ochsie and his website called the Abacus Principle where you can learn to escape the hectic life of technology and chaos and move to a more simple life.

A new Way to Get Speaking Gigs

If you've been in the professional speaking business for 10 minutes, you've already realized just how much of a business it is. You really have to be on the top of your game to earn the right to be paid to be on stage. I always get so relaxed when I finally take the stage.

All the steps that have to happen before that moment are simply staggering to most people.  One of the biggest pieces of that process is being seen by the right meeting or event planner. A new website called MotivationalSpeakersWorldwide.com is taking a new slant on making that presence happen.

First, they intend to re-define the definition of what a
motivational speaker really is by suggesting, "A motivational speaker is any speaker who is able to inspire the audience to take some form of action."  This is fitting too in that meeting and event planners are looking for speakers that can move their audience to action, no matter what topic they're speaking on. They want clear and precise steps presented so their audience will take notes, learn and apply what they've been taught.

If you are looking for a speaker for your next event, or are a speaker looking for ongoing promotion, MotivationalSpeakersWorldwide.com is worth a look.

Baseball Coach Checklist

Baseball season is coming and there's no one better to have speak at your next coaching event than Coach Clemens. In fact, he's just added a new blog post for a baseball coach's checklist to get your season started on the right track.

Dan is also author of the book, A Perfect Season, which I've read. He has a great story at the beginning that is every Dad's dream....until! Well, I'll let you read it for yourself.

How to Plan for Parenting After Divorce

I'm always one to push for married couples to stay married. I've been married for 22 years and even with the typical challenges with probably every marriage, the idea of divorce is just a joke around our house. Sometimes, though, I know divorce is the best option for many.

And, I have to think of who really gets the impact of divorce; the kids of course. But the parents take a hit too with the limited visitation rights and missed opportunities. Divorced parents need help too. So, here's a book by author and speaker Joan McWilliams about parenting plans after divorce.

New Website Featuring Marriage Counselors

Here's a new website that features many speakers, even though their primary business is serving as
marriage counselors. Many of them are published authors and very seasoned speakers. Marriage counseling is a fitting topic for our economy also.

After all, most of the fights that break out between married couples is about money, right? So, the two go hand-in-hand. I wonder why more meeting planners don't look for a qualified marriage counselor speaker when they book their speakers for an event. Maybe they should!

A Lesson in Presenting from the Platform

Here's a good video to watch of Sarah Palin speaking from the stage and some constructive criticism on how her delivery could be better.

Improve Your Speaking Skills at Toastmasters

People are always asking me how to improve their speaking skills. "How did you get so much energy in your speaking?" "You're so funny when you need to be without overdoing it...How did you learn to use humor in your speeches?" "You look so natural in front of an audience...How did you become so comfortable in front of people?"

These are the top three questions I'm asked about speaking. And, I have the same answer for all three of them. Join Toastmasters. Find a club in your area "today" and go visit. Don't plan to visit with the intent to join though. Just visit with the intention to evaluate. I'll tell you why in a moment.....

First, let me explain what Toastmasters is and what it is not. Toastmasters IS a club-like atmosphere where, on average, 10-30 people meet each week or ever other week. There are more than 100 clubs in my state alone and they are all over the world. Toastmasters if your practice forum to enhance your public speaking and leadership skills.

Each meeting has a set format where there are speeches prepared by pre-assigned members. Meaning, you as a guest will not walk in the door and be asked to give a 10-minute talk, so don't worry. Most clubs have 2 or 3 prepared speeches per meeting and they last usually 5-10 minutes each.

Following the speeches, other members of the club are assigned to formally evaluate each speech. They'll typically give lots of kudos and then just one or two things to work on the next time. Evaluations are designed to be very encouraging for the speaker, not ram them into the ground with embarrassment.

The third component of every Toastmasters meeting is Table Topics. This section is designed to assure that each member of the club has an opportunity to speak in front of the group at each meeting. During Table Topics, the "Table Topics Master" (another preassigned member) spends a few minutes before the meeting to come up with a question to ask each Table Topics participant. The Table Topics participant must respond to the question for between 1 and 2 minutes.

Some clubs DO call their visitors up to the front of the room to participate in Table Topics but feel rest assured that you are in no obligation to participate. Just relax and enjoy the show if you're more comfortable.

As you can imagine, this weekly practice of speaking within a supportive group can be the most important step you take toward beginning your career as a speaker. There are many speakers within National Speakers Association who were obviously not part of Toastmasters prior, and their lack of speaking skills makes that proof positive.

Don't skimp on your speaking practice. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional speaker already, I strongly urge that you join Toastmasters and attend every meeting for the first year. I was a member for 10 years and served as a district officer for three years. There's no single training you can get for yourself that provides more of a launching pad for your skills as a speaker than Toastmasters. Visit Toastmasters.org to find a club in your area immediately!

Already a Toastmasters member or were in the past? Add your comment and tell others how Toastmasters has helped your speaking career.