Public Speaking Means Never Saying "I'm Sorry"

  In the romantic movie, "Love Story", a phrase about love was introduced that went, "Love means never having to say your sorry". And while anyone who is married knows how untrue that is, we could easily adapt that concept to the world of public...

Make Them Laugh

In the delightful Broadway musical "Singing in the Rain", there is a song called "Make em Laugh" which is based on this idea that the best way for any stage performer to build a bond with an audience is to use humor to bring a smile, or a laugh, to that...

Making a Living as a Public Speaker

The wonderful dearly departed comic Chris Farley had a character that was a professional motivational speaker. That character was Matt Foley and he was an absolute mess. His speaking style was painful and destructive and he lived (say it with me) in...

Illustrate, Illustrate Illustrate

When a speaker loses an audience, too often it is a mystery to him or her. But for the audience, it is not a mystery. The simple fact is that many speeches we listen to spend a lot of time in some theory or idea. And we as humans have trouble focusing...

The Games People Play 1: Everybody Succumbs to Pity

Pity is the greatest seducer "I am sure that if the devil existed, he would want us to feel very sorry for him." ―  Martha Stout ,  The Sociopath Next Door Of all the seduction games people play perhaps the most dastardly is the one often used...

Setting Smart Goals

  In the last installation we talked about doing a don't list(l ink to other post ). How many of you actually followed through?  If this is your first time reading stop! For just a second and develop a mental Don't List. Moving on. . . .  ...

Give Them a Bit of You

There is a good reason that public speaking is a superior method of presenting material to a group than just faxing your text over and letting them read it. Yes, part of that reason is that by stepping through the talk, you can make sure they "get it"....

I'll Drink to That: Football Sunday Drinking Games

There is really no better excuse to be able to day drink than football Sundays. No one is judging if you crack a shower beer at 7 am. But enough with the same old, beer pong, flip cup, jello shot for every touchdown. Here are a few ideas to spice up...

Deer in the Headlights

People who make their living researching what frightens people the most have made a pretty amazing discovery. Consistently when people list the top five things they are afraid of in life, they have are some pretty intimidating terrors. But you would...

Uncertainty

I struggle with the uncertainties in life and how people can leave in an instant. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do except sit with the uncertainty and unknown of what is to come. I have become much better with this but I am a work in progress. I...

Level 5 Mentoring: math motivation grade / level 5 by mentoring minds

The Motivation Math Student Edition contains a wealth of items designed to promote student mastery of the Common Core Standards. A mix of selective response and open response items allows teachers to tailor instruction according to student needs. The...

Mentoring At Work: Mentoring at Work: Developmental Relationships in Organizational Life

A close look at relationships in the work place that enhance an individual's performance, development and career potential during the early, middle and late career years. The author targets three distinct audiences: individuals at every career stage,...

Mentoring Benefits: "To Be Or Not To Be": Perceived Benefits of Mentoring in the United States Air Force

Present study examined the perceived benefits of mentoring, in direct opposition to not mentoring, for four USAF career-success influencing variables. Data derived from the November 2008 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members from U.S. Air Force...

5 Affirmations for Writers

Have you ever wondered why the craft of writing can sometimes seem like a bad relationship? First there's the blissful feeling of deep purpose when your creative flow is turned on. It's the unshakeable knowing that you are aligned with destiny as the...

Change Your Habits

  Where to Start 'Where to start' is one of the most asked questions we receive at   Changing Habits   and it is not an easy question to answer. We are all different… some of us are just commencing on the journey of better health, some...

10 Reasons I Regret Saying "I Can't Wait to Grow Up"

When you are little, you think “When I am an adult, I can do whatever I want.” Reality check: that is false! I remember thinking as a kid “I can’t wait to grow up.” My advice to any kid that says that, “Hold off as...

Don't make excuses...make it happen!

As a mom I know that it's not always easy or convenient to get to the gym, but it's still possible to get in a good workout at home.   I personally love going to the gym, it's my little happy place. But I'll be honest there are times when it's just...

Don't Fear the Pause

If you listen to experienced speakers, it's easy to see some real differences in how they step through their presentation than maybe how you go about giving a talk when you are called upon to speak in public. But it is a good exercise to use every opportunity...

6 Things The Most Productive People Do Every Day

Here's a great blog post that Eric Barker pulled together over at  Barking Up The Wrong Tree  while he was researching that guru of The 4-Hour Work Week, Tim Ferris. I like it because he hits on a few habits that  productive people  have...

Understand the fear of speaking in public.

You've spent endless hours preparing the perfect speech - enthralling, witty, entertaining and attention grabbing - and the minute you get near a stage or podium you begin to fall apart! Fear of public speaking is all too common amongst the professional...

Use technology to practice

Practice makes perfect, and in this short video I explain how using technology can help you understand how you come across to an audience.

If you like them, they will like you.

If you Like Them, They Will Like You When you see experienced public speakers, sometimes it seems they can cast a spell on an audience. You as an audience member know what that spell feels like. And one of the first evidences that this public speaker...

Ways to show your love to those you love (and those you don't) on Valentine's Day

  Addicted to Love? Unique ways to tell those you love (and those you don't) how you really feel (a new version of an Advicesisters.com classic by Alison Blackman) Are you in a relationship right now? Then there's trouble ahead! If there's any day...

problem with my fiance: he is keeping secrets #trust, #relationships

  I am engaged to "Robert" and we have set a wedding date for six months from now. He's a great guy and we are compatible in all the ways I think are important except one: Robert told me part of a secret but won't tell me the rest of it. As a result,...

Relax a Little {Lifestyle Post}

A little rest and relaxation never hurt anyone…even God took a rest break on the Sabbath, lol! But seriously, rest is important. You may not always have the time nor the money to go to the spa but you can create a spa like atmosphere in your home for...

16 Reasons I Am Thankful for Alcohol

Thanksgiving is for taking the time to be thankful for the stuff you bitched about all year: family, friends, job, health. But we can all agree there is one thing we can be thankful for 365 days a year: alcohol. Because average men don't look like...

TMI: The 5 Worst SnapChat Offenders

I love Snapchat and will admit I have probably been annoying on it at some point. I will post selfies on my story, but one, maybe two maximum stories at a time. Sure, I too am guilty of sending pictures of random things. However, there are some people,...

13 Things You Do (Or Don't Do) In College That You'll Regret Later On

I can say we all look back at some part of our college years, give ourselves the face palm, and think, “ What the hell was I doing? ” If you are still in college, maybe you can learn from some of our alumni lessons. Or hell, do it anyway,...

De-Motivational Quotes That Are Almost Motivational

Everyone has that Facebook friend that posts super positive, cheer me up, make you have a better life, turn that frown upside down quotes… Who the hell does it relate to anyway?! So instead, let’s look at reverse psychology, de-motivational...

First World Problems That Make Us Sound Ridiculous

Remember when your mom always said, clean your plate, there are starving kids in Africa. We have went above and beyond with our first world problems… Have you ever realized how ridiculous some of the things we complain about are? I caught myself...

The Stone Ages Before Cellphones

Before cellphones were attached to our hands… You had to spin a dial? Your phone didn’t fit in your pocket? Cavemen I tell ya… It’s hard to remember the times before cellphones as I have had one for over a decade, but before you...

Prioritize, but actually ask yourself: What's more important?

In this life, we are constantly bringing our dreams and wishes back to our forefront of thought or we're overvaluing what everyone around us has. Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. - Jim Rohn I'm not saying don't use your mind...

Exercise and Brain Health: Can Martial Arts Make You Smarter?

What is "Brain Rule # 1"? According to John Medina in his book,  Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School  Brain Rule # 1 is, "Exercise boosts brain power." Medina, a developmental molecular biologist,...

5 Phrases a Woman Uses When She is Killing You in Her Mind

Okay there are WAY more than 5 phrases a woman says that really mean something else... Like pretty much half of what we say. However, I will focus on 5 deadly ones. I, personally, am very easy-going, don't take offense too much, don't get mad easily......

Forget These "Find Your Inner Peace" Lists, The Real Secrets to Happiness

It all boils down to: Not being a shitty person. Dance because you want to, not like no one is watching. Laugh so hard you pee yourself & laugh even harder. There are self help books, how to find your inner peace articles, blah blah blah.. But the...

Resistance is Just a Word

"We are all born originals - why is it so many of us die copies?" - Edward Young Do you ever admire those who can rattle facts and figures off the top of their head without even having to think too critically? Just how powerful are you? Your brain has...

I don't want to be lonely anymore, help me please

I know you will think I'm pathetic, but I am in my early 30′s and the longer relationship I have ever had since I was 18 is just 3 months.  I have lived at home with my parents most of my life, due to some emotional and physical issue, and now I'm...

The Little Engine That Never Did

What makes smart people do stupid things? I'm inclined to question this as I analyze my surroundings. There is nothing but unused potential scratching the chalk boards of life trying to escape the tight grasp of untapped energy. Unfortunately, like dreams...

I'm Going to Make You Love Me. . .

Stark green eyes pierced through her deepest desires as they stared across the room. "What is he looking at," Lauren uttered to herself. She'd seen him at school many times before. He was smart, confident and flirtatious; a source of physical...

Heartbroken! she liked me then loved me then took it back

SHE SAID SHE LOVED ME, SO WHY IS SHE NOT LOVING ME NOW? I've been best friends with a girl I met several years ago. I'm in my twenties and already working, trying to get a career going. She is a few years younger, and still in school. This Summer...

Ultimate Preparedness Library - Manuals, Guides, and Resources for Survival, Self Reliance, Emergency Preparedness

Before the existence of modern day conveniences like electricity, water treatment, air conditioning, mass food production, and just-in-time transportation delivery systems people still lived long and healthy lives. For thousands of years humanity has...

When Giving Is Difficult

By Mike Massie, author, Martial Arts Character Education Lesson Plans for Children There’s a young man I see on the corner most days when I’m driving into downtown Austin, and it brightens my day every time I speak with him. I struck up a conversation...

One Thing I Learned About Resistance

"The path of least resistance leads to crooked rivers and crooked men." -- Henry David Thoreau I have a reputation. All of my life I've been known in my circles as "the one with the willpower." "I wish I had your discipline," they'd say. I'm the guy...

On Reinvention and Other Things New

Welcome to 2015. Here's what I hope your 2014 was like: You broke something You fixed something. You lost something But you found something else. You learned a new skill You learned something new about yourself You learned something new about someone...

5 Ways to Make Yourself an Easy Target for Muggers in the Winter

Freezing weather can do you harm beyond just frostbite. Part of our martial arts training is situational awareness; the need to be aware of your surroundings, always alert for potential danger. This mental preparation helps us avoid being...

Unsatisfied. . . .

Lauren gazed down at Rocki, she was speechless. Her blushing cheeks revealed flattery of a bold gesture. Rocki rose from his knees and went back to his seat. For the rest of class, Laurens thoughts wandered aimlessly around Rockis words. It had been...

Offload Before You Upload

Every year, millions of people come up with rash "New Years resolutions."  We are all victims of this vicious cycle at some time in our life. The most common resolutions are loosing weight and getting out of debt. Most of us sit down and write an...

(Part II) An Intimate Conversation (about intimacy) Ernest Greene & Nina Hartley & the MASTER OF O @TheMasterofO

This is Part II of a unique two-part feature - an intimate conversation about intimacy, with Ernest Greene, Author of the book, Master of O, and his wife, Nina Hartley.  In Part II we talked primarily about intimacy as it relates to their private...

(Part I) An Intimate Conversation (about intimacy)" Ernest Greene & Nina Hartley & the MASTER OF O @TheMasterofO

Ernest Greene & Nina Hartley He's a writer, actor and producer , who re-invented an erotic classic. She's  an adult film actress, director, sex educator and author and feminist. They're highly intelligent, articulate, and very witty. They...

Stick and Move

A few nights ago I was getting punched in the face. Not a lot, but enough for me to realize that it annoys me. I was fighting three of my sparring partners, all of them with a longer reach than me. I can shrug off a body shot like it never happened,...

Alison Blackman & Tony Sabatini on the Dr. Joy Show (Giving & Receiving Gifts, Disappointments, Unusual, Intimate Gifts (watch on Vimeo)

Alison Blackman and Tony Sabatini aka. Leather and Lace Dr Joy:  What Makes A Good Gift?  Alison:  Whatever is, it's not about cost:  It has to be something that you know the person is really going to want, It has to be something...