Editor's Corner Excerpted from the April 2007 Newsletter Are You Boring? Recently when I gave my usual brief description of what I do (teach people how to make presentations and not be nervous and not be boring), a man surprised me by saying,"Oh, the boring part is harder than the nervous part." I was surprised because most people are so concerned about the nervous part they've never had time to worry about being boring. (As we spoke, however, this man interjected that of course you'll always be nervous, you just have to move past that. As you know, I don't agree you have to be nervous. It's not necessary once you change your thinking.) To avoid being boring you need to think more like an audience member than like a speaker. For instance: Plan to speak for less than the allotted time and let them ask questions (they're usually not bored if they're asking questions). Use examples relevant to the audience; omit everything you possibly can without losing the thread of the story; include only things that directly affect the audience, and if they don't think it affects them and you think they need it, make the connection clear. Weave your message (from financial reports to project updates and beyond) into a story. People listen to and remember a logical story line; you'll remember it more easily, too. It's all about them, so keep the focus there and you've got a better chance of not being nervous or boring. First Person Pamela Edwards, Fung Shui Consultant: "Thank you for helping me to create the right discipline within myself. "The meeting with my client went well. I was a little nervous before the meeting started and spent a few minutes taking long slow breaths. When it started, I was calm, focused and well prepared. "Thank you." Gloria McComas,Sr. Business Analyst/Sales & Marketing GES Exposition Services: "What you are sharing with us in your newsletters is so helpful. I cannot thank you enough for making us all so professional yet personable when we present." How Do You Not Be Invisible? "I understand the benefits of being invisible as you describe it (people focused on what you're saying and not on you), but I seem to be invisible in that people don't remember me even the 4th or 5th time we've met. What can I do?" Yes, there's good invisible and bad invisible, and there are things you can consider to help people remember you. While it's important to know it's not about us, it's equally important to have a proper sense of self. If we aren't prepared to mentally and physically fill the space that's allotted to us, it's hard for others to register our presence. Physically, you need to fill that space by standing, walking, moving, and gesturing with purpose. Avoid cluttering the interchange with unnecessary, distracting movements. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "You set your own price." If our internal message doesn't acknowledge our value, then that’s the message others pick up. Focus on people as valuable individuals able to perceive your value as you talk and listen and they will remember you when they see you again. Quotes to Make You a Better Speaker “Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.” —Norman Vincent Peale “A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.” —Sir Barnett Cocks “Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in.” —Katherine Mansfield “Three words of praise will soften anybody's heart.” —T.C. Lai “When you dance with your customers, let them lead.” —Sam Walton “In times of change the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” —Eric Hoffer “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” —Vincent Van Gogh For more great quotes, check out these websites: www.lifeshaper.org www.worldofquotes.com www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html www.brainyquote.com www.mightyminds.com/quotes www.quotegarden.com

Orders Think gifts. Someone you know is going to be giving more presentations soon. Give them a practical gift that will make those presentations easier and more effective. Learn more or Order Online. Book "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking...and More" by Barbara Rocha 208 pages, illustrated, cartoons $19.95 Audiotape or CD ROM The "Getting Over Yourself" book on audiotape read by the author ($17.95) or CD ROM ($19.95). Booklets by Barbara Rocha: $9.95 each (+$1.50 Shipping and Handling) "Pocket Guide for Presenters" 103 pages "60 Ways to Spark Your Speaking: Just in time answers to frequently asked questions" 154 pages "Love to Talk/Hate to Speak: Selected articles by Barbara Rocha" 121 pages Speeches on Tape: "From Bored Room to Board Room" $10.95 "Stand Up and Stand Out" $10.95 Video "Getting Over Yourself: A Guide to Painless Public Speaking" featuring Barbara Rocha in excerpts from her book, seminar classes and interactive coaching. VHS $99.95 Learn more Order Online Call (888) 800-2001 E-mail: BouldinHil@aol.com Write: Bouldin Hill Press at 17-555 Bubbling Wells Rd., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Seminars **How to Overcome the Stress of Public Speaking Pasadena: 3-day workshop October 25, 26, 27, 2010. We have two public seminars each year: May and October/November. If you have several people who could use this training, contact us regarding an in-house seminar. As a refresher, workshop graduates (from any of our 3-day workshops) may attend for half price at any time. People tell us they get as much or more out of the workshop the second time around. Visit our seminars section for details or call (888) 800-2001 For more information, contact: Barbara Rocha and Associates PO Box 60521, Pasadena, California 91116 (626) 792-8075 or toll free at (888) 800-2001