Two insightful video clips from our recent interview marathon.
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I have one simple tip for clients who want to systematically get better at their presentation skills, reduce their nervousness when speaking in front of people, improve their poise and increase their ability to think on their feet. And to top it all off, this technique doesn't require any money or even extra time.
What is this too-good-to-be-true solution? Volunteering. Volunteer to be the guinea pig for an exercise, demonstration or on-stage example.
That's right, just volunteer anytime you are in a seminar, workshop or listening to a speaker. If someone is addressing you and other people in a room and asks for a volunteer, be the first one to raise your hand. Even if you don't know what you are getting into. Especially if you don't know what is required to do. Chances are, you will not be asked to walk across burning coals during a corporate seminar on team building skills.
When you volunteer, you expose yourself to opportunities to think on your feet, yet without exposing yourself to risk. Everyone knows you are being put on the spot, therefore no one will judge you negatively, regardless of what you say.
When you thrust yourself in the spotlight, even if it is just in front of 15 co-workers, you adjust your body to the adrenaline rush that comes with going into nerve-racking situations. You get toughened up.
The more you get up in front of people, even if it is just to answer a question from the stand point of an everyman(woman), the more being in front of people and speaking seems "normal," or even ordinary. Once something becomes ordinary, it is harder to enter a fearful state. This means you can relax more when speaking about your business or job, when the stakes are higher.
Of course the natural reaction most people have is not to volunteer. Playing it safe, letting other people go first is the road more traveled. But this is the lazy way to mediocrity. If you volunteer, you give yourself opportunities to gain polish (if nothing else the opportunity to learn to laugh at your self if you screw up in front of people).
It will cost you no extra time or money, since you had to attend that meeting or seminar anyway. You have nothing to lose except your inhibitions.
More Insights from TJ Walker & Jess Todtfeld
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Short Video Commentary:
Audio Commentary
When you are speaking to colleagues and other peers within your industry, the tendency is to use lots of acronyms and initials, instead of speaking out the entire word or phrase. Don't do it. br
June 25th & 26th Presentation Training Workshop
New York, NY
Who is your favorite female speaker?
We are updating our video library and workshop PowerPoints and want to include people you most admire. If you know of a speaker we should include send us a quick email. We'll use that person in a lesson featured here.
Leadership Boot Camp and Empowerment Retreat
June 5-7, 2009
Join TJ Walker and Jess Todtfeld at this speaking event.
The Topics:
TJ Walker's Success Speaking
The most successful leaders in the world don't CLIMB their way to the top. They SPEAK their way to the top. Now, the inside secrets to their success are revealed.
Jess Todtfeld: YOU are the Media
Having control in the media world goes beyond understanding blogging or social media. Jess Todtfeld, former TV producer for NBC, ABC, and FOX explains techniques they uses to train CEOs, CFOs, U.N. officials and people like you and me.
The 2nd Annual Leadership Retreat takes place in New York hosts several world record holders, top business experts, and international trainers all helping create results in business, life, career, and relationships. The weekend is about creating results, NOW. If life has passed you by too quickly, or if you have not yet arrived at where you planned to be a year or more ago, don't you think its time? I look forward to meeting you personally at the Retreat and helping you create amazing results in your life, business, and career. The Retreat is about possibility, moving forward, and taking action! Right now your success formula begins with registering at .
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I have one simple tip for clients who want to systematically get better at their presentation skills, reduce their nervousness when speaking in front of people, improve their poise and increase their ability to think on their feet. And to top it all off, this technique doesn't require any money or even extra time. 
