Stories have a better chance to come to life when we construct and deliver descriptions which the listener’s mind’s eye can see.
Stories may be the essence of the message being presented. Stories might also be part of the construction, such as in support of the theme of a speech. The latter example is part of the formula discussed in an article in the October issue of Toastmaster magazine. (more…)
This week I heard a radio commentator refer to the time-honoured, greatest dread of people (supposedly): the fear of public speaking. The host noted how importantly the skill of being able to deliver presentations could impact one’s professional opportunities.
He then alluded to a just released story of a teenager who has confronted his own trepidation, by sending out an entreaty to educational authorities that he be spared from having to make presentations to other students in class. There has been reaction to this quickly in social media. No doubt, ‘experts’ on both sides of such a debate are aplenty. (more…)
A brief article in the August issue of Psychology Today looks at the current state of affairs of personality tests.
The inconsistency of some of their standards has given rise to doubting the value of results. Indeed, popular ‘Temperament Sorter’ and ‘Type Indicator’ programs include undesirable features such as “ambiguous language and false dichotomies”. (more…)
So-called advances in education (as in, children not learning multiplication tables?!) notwithstanding, there’s plenty to be said for enhancing self-awareness the personal way, via introspection blended with own experiences, stories of the streets, etc.
The June edition of Psychology Today includes a list of skills which are likely to be only truly clarified, then absorbed, outside the classroom. The key rewards for doing so lie in linking one’s vision with achieving life goals. (more…)
It’s worthwhile periodically to consider what it is that makes some of us so much more successful than others, in certain occupations or other pursuits.
This doesn’t mean we should look to copy what they do. It doesn’t mean we should be envious. It does mean we should emulate the positive and practical of their drive, their manner, and their goal-setting. What is it, in manifestations of their mindsets, we could use to better ourselves and the value of our actions? (more…)
Some of us will recall a TV commercial for a heavily sugared breakfast cereal named Lucky Charms, declared to be ‘indescribably delicious’. Well, their consumption, no doubt, has been beneficial over time to the dentists whose clients have overindulged in such candied cereals when younger.
The more general concept of lucky charms, also known as talismans, has been widespread for ages. (more…)
Many are the skills we can develop which help us to grow, making a positive ripple effect of our efforts on others, gradually wider and fuller.
Some aptitudes have wider applications than others – consider cooking versus negotiating skills. The significance, the impact, of some talents may expand beyond the borders of their logical environments. (more…)
We’ve just had the latest round of the Olympic Winter Games play out in Korea in the latter part of February.
Some nations, particularly the three highest medal count countries – namely, Norway, Germany, and Canada – found relative success after their long journeys to southeast Asia. Other countries didn’t have their usually expected triumphs (U.S.A.), and one wasn’t even able to compete under its national flag (Russia) – so, bigger is not always better. (more…)
It would seem superfluous disputing that the mind is the most important cognitive part of the body; assuming that’s so, being ‘mindful’ should be at least in the highest echelon of good default positions.
What does mindfulness mean? An article in the February edition of Toastmaster magazine gives this a thoughtful (as it were) look. (more…)
the watch of time 
SLEEP ON IT
If the average person was asked what trace mineral in the body…
…probably not many would confidently answer, zinc. (more…)
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Arts commentary, Humour, Lifestyle & Travel, Personal Development, Uncategorized
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