Harsh Times and Challenges
abound, my friends. This is not an easy environment: divisiveness, dissonance and dissing are all around us. And yet…

We Can Find Joy
and it doesn’t need to have a Capital J. Small joys are all around us, too. And one of those joys is communicating with others. Connecting where we can. Using words to relate and create meaning.

I’m Not A Pollyanna
Really, I’m not. I have my own sorrows, worries and regrets. And yet…I consciously choose to cultivate (when I can!) a practice of dancing. In community. With others. To music. These days, it’s Swing Dancing. And does it ever put a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

What’s Your Song?
What fills your cup? What helps you feel good, or at least better? Don’t lose your sense of self while reading, watching or listening to the daily news. Remember you’re a professional with content expertise. What you have to say is important, and sharing with others can feel meaningful and uplifting.

Giving A Presentation
is literally giving. It’s a gift from you to your listeners. I know sometimes you feel like it’s just something to “get through,” but can you think about it differently? New thinking: what a great opportunity to connect! To share info, contribute to discussion, spark ideas, inspire dialogue. You get the idea.

Even The Driest Data
benefits from an anecdote, a story, a personal note. Simple is good. And accessible. It kind of reinforces our humanity, one-human-to-another, which I believe we’re all craving.

Rise To The Occasion
As presenters, I consider it our sacred responsibility to give our listeners our best. If I’m going to take your time (which is precious and there’s never enough of it) and ask you to listen to me, then I’ve got to make it matter. Positive thinking is not magic; it really works. Here are two positivity strategies…

Create Your Warm-Up Routine
Get out of your head (where your content lives) and into your body (where your energy lives). Channel your inner athlete and stretch, take a brisk walk, breathe slowly and deeply, hum a little tune…whatever it takes. Positivity hint: even 60-seconds of a personal warm-up routine can get you into The Zone.

Know Your Blazingly Clear Objective
What’s your BCO? What’s the one clear idea you are trying to communicate to this specific audience and why should they care? Imagine they all have sticky notes on their foreheads with the words, “So What?” And that’s the question you need to answer. Positivity hint: use the words you and your to connect your objective to your audience’s needs.

Combat negativity by being the biggest you that you can be. The world needs your intelligence, your perspective and your participation. Find your song and sing out!

Yesss, we can do this.

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