'Passionate People' is a monthly newsletter from the
desk of Paula Smith, Speaker, Author, Trainer and Coach.
 Have
you ever had an opportunity placed in front of you at
the worst possible time? And your response was “it's just
bad timing” When do you ever have all your ducks lined
up in perfect order just waiting for that unbelievable
opportunity to knock on your door on the very day you
planned?
Bad timing could just be another one of your excuses
not to move out of your comfort zone and make some
positive changes in your life.
My darling Husband and I with a 3 year old in tow
were just about to embark on a 3-month trip around
Australia. A bit of a working holiday for me (mainly
holiday) and of course when you run a business and have
teenagers and a busy life, it was very easy to say “This
is just too hard to do now” let's wait until we retire.
However we didn’t want to wait until we retire, we
wanted to enjoy it now while we are fit and energetic
enough to do so. So we have packed the caravan, organised
staff, the teenagers and so on and just as we are ready
to leave and think we now have the “Perfect Timing” a
property comes on the market in the street I want to
live in and the acreage my husband wants and if we want
to buy it we have to sell our house first and fast. Talk
about bad timing. But the opportunity presented itself
so we have to go for it. So after 4 days of painting,
gardening, packing and cleaning our house is on the
market and we’re crossing our fingers.
Not one to miss out on a good holiday though, we are
still going but have just cut the timeframe down a tad.
When did you last say “I would love to, but it's just
bad timing?”
How can you turn bad timing into a Why Not?
I wonder if Julia Gillard thought it was bad timing
these last couple of weeks or an amazing opportunity??
Whatever or whenever the next opportunity presents
itself; start by saying “Do I want it??” And if the
answer is Yes, Make the Timing Perfect! Or you could be
waiting a very long time for that Perfect Time.
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A huge thank you to all those clients over the last
couple of months who have purchased Speaking in the
Shower and have put my 7 Steps to Presentation Success
into practice.
The emails and feedback have been sensational.
Here’s what clients are saying:
Your book is really
really fantastic. It was enlightening, challenging and the
reader is forced to see what direction they are
going in. Congratulations.
Lee Leicester
Small Business Centre East Metro
Lovely to meet you at the WNA Luncheon last
Wednesday! I am ½ way through your book and I LOVE IT!
It's packed full of everything I have been looking for to
put together & deliver presentations.
Louise Ranger |
Fruit at Work
Speaking in the Shower is now also being used as a
text for the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
to help train trainers to develop stand out presentation
skills.
If you are a trainer and will be delivering the new
TAE when on scope the book maps beautifully to both the
Delivery/Facilitation units and the Make a Presentation
elective so call me direct for a wholesale order of more
than 10. The wholesale cost is only $17.50 per copy.
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Presentation skills are a must have skill in today’s
competitive business world.
 Tip
Number 4:
Using Visual Aids
Visual aids are just that. An aid, they are not the
presentation.
Where possible make YOU the centre of
attention and all aids used only to support your
presentation.
If you cannot present without your
power point presentation as your crutch or security
blanket, keep practicing until you can, as you just
never know when technology can let you down.
Anyone can use Power Point, put on a video clip or
pre-prepare a Flip Chart. Not everyone can present their
expertise from the heart, using their own style and
engage an audience. Not everyone is a stand out
presenter. The great news is, it is a skill you can
learn.
If you are using training aids ensure they
are: top quality, current, cater for a variety of
learning preferences and are actually needed to get your
message across.
So next time you are asked to train
or present and you start your preparation with your
empty Power Point programme in front of you STOP and
think how you can get this message across using a unique
combination of learning methods, tools and aids. Just
always ensure YOU are the presenter that delivers the
message, as perhaps you are the person they have come to
see.
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I have spent nearly all of my working life training
and developing others. I have had some participants in
my classroom and workshops who clearly have not wanted
to be there as their Boss has just told them to go. I
have also had the pleasure of training participants who
are so committed to their continual personal and
professional development you just know they will succeed
in whatever they choose to do.  If you invest in
yourself you can never depreciate like many a material
purchase. Once you have acquired your new knowledge and
skills no one can ever take it away from you either.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs describes how we all firstly
need water, food and shelter to survive, we then need
safety and security, we all need a sense of belonging
and we do need to develop our self-esteem. The top of
the pyramid is Self Actualisation. The ultimate in the
search for happiness and fulfilment. There wasn’t a new
IPhone or a new set of golf clubs in sight. Self
Actualisation is being the very best we can be.
My
kids used to laugh at me when I told them I would always
be involved in some kind of formal education. Every
teenager sees the light at the end of the education
tunnel when they complete year 12 or University. Little
do they realise that it has merely been the introductory
course. I for one will be trying to teach my kids that
when schools out, the real commitment to lifelong learning
begins.
So invest time and money and belief in
yourself. I strongly believe those who share this
commitment will go on to succeed.
What have you
always wanted to learn? Have you always wanted to go to
University or learn to play an instrument? Perhaps you
have wanted to learn some business skills or perhaps
learn to use spreadsheets.
Go for it and INVEST
away. You are definitely worth it.
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I would love to come and speak or train at your organisation.
I deliver workshops on:
- Exceptional Presentation Skills
- Stand Out Training
- Personal Branding for Business Success
- Leadership
- Workplace Dynamics
- Franchising Partnerships
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
A range of keynotes for your next conference.
Guest speaker at your community organisation.
Or I personally coach a small number of clients
wishing to reach for the next level in their business or
career.
Visit the website for more information:
www.paulasmith.com.au
or accredited training
www.studiowesttraining.com.au
Or call me to discuss your needs personally 1300
852 859
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