Be sincere…be brief…be seated

Edition 61 Monday October 4th  2010

Hi ,  I have always loved the sound of my own voice and never had trouble talking ‘rubbish’ to whoever would listen !. After 20 years in the waste industry I guess I am as well qualified on that score as any one you will ever meet!!.

We all get put on the spot and often need to come up with something brilliant at short or no notice. I chaired a competition on Saturday that demonstrated why Toastmasters is so good for developing skills in this area. Interested?, of course you are then go to; www.toastmaster.org.nz and find out how to get those butterflies flying in formation….I dare you to keep up with and maybe ahead of the Jones boy.

Loved the weekend, even squeezed in a “freedom” mad dash on the Suzuki minus wingman Maverick who is still in love, a family working bee and far too much rocket choc0late whisky cake!!.. I hope you had a cool, fun weekend with family and friends…….cheers Jonesey

Harry the impromtu hound has perfected the art of faking starvation at functions !

 

My father gave me these hints on speech-making: “Be sincere…be brief…be seated.” James Roosevelt

Continuing with the toastmasters theme this week I firmly believe that our success in this world is largely goverened by how effectively we communicate with others.  By others I mean family, friends , work colleagues and customers but extends much further to anyone you have the occasion to meet or form a business or private relationship with .

Every contact is an opportunity to impress, enhance, and impact another person and subsequently influence an outcome positive or negative. We have talked before about the importance of networking and about developing a brief but powerful introduction that endears and markets you and your brand (YOU), this has never been more important!.

Most people fear speaking in public , some more than death or even shark attack !!! crikey!, wouldn’t you rather develop your basic communication skills than be dead or encounter  a Great White at the local beach?!.  My challenge this week is to stay alive and on dry land and to visit www.toastmasters.org.nz to find out why for 86 years toastmaster clubs have been assisting people like you and I to overcome our fear of public speaking. Dare you!

“Its all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation”