Toastmasters International has put together a list of ten tips that will help improve your public speaking skills.

1. Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech.
2. Use personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.
3. Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary.
4. Know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
5. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.
6. Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
7. Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
8. Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They don’t want you to fail.
9. Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem – the audience probably never noticed it.
10. Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.

For further reading:

• 10 ways to improve your public speaking
• 20 plus tips for improving your speaking performance

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One of the best ways to reduce the stress of holiday planning is to spread it over a number of months or even throughout the year. Even if you have done nothing else so far, you can relieve some of December’s pressure by putting these on your November to-do list.

• Shop for clothing, accessories, hostess gifts, etc. for any holiday events events.
• Buy tickets to seasonal entertainment.
• Mail gifts to friends living abroad: the sooner the better. (Hopefully you have them bought by now.)
• Check dishes and glassware for holiday entertaining.
• Make a shopping list for entertaining and decorating.
• Plan your December menus.
• Stock up on all non-perishable grocery items needed through to the beginning of January.
• Put up the outdoor lights. (You don’t have to turn them on until December.)
• Check you ornaments and decorations and see if you need to replace or add to what you have.
• De-clutter the house for seasonal decorating.
• Create a master schedule of all events and activities for the season and post it on the refrigerator. Include non-holiday special events.
• Schedule down time.
• Leave a buffer of time so you can respond to spontaneous activities.
• Stock up on batteries, memory storage, cables, etc. for capturing seasonal memories
• Start your Christmas baking with those items which can be frozen for 2–3 months.

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Gifts for the teacher, babysitter, hockey coach, or for the hosts of your holiday parties, don’t have to be expensive. Here are 10 gift ideas in small packages:

1. Dark Chocolate. The recently publicized health benefits of cacao are all the rage and some confectioners have packaged their dark chocolate in bright colours to make an instant gift; just add a bow or ribbon.
2. Movie or Cinema Gift Certificates. The recipient can then choose a time and place that works for them, especially after the holiday rush.
3. Coffee. Either a pound of gourmet beans or a gift card to their favourite coffee house.
4. Tea. The growth of the speciality-tea culture has parallelled that of coffee, and certain teas have health benefits. A selection of teas can be presented in a gift bag or basket.
5. Wine or spirits. A bottle of wine makes a nice gift for your host or hostess on almost any occasion. There are many good-quality, inexpensive wines available. Do a little online research or ask some knowledgeable friends about selections.
6. Magazine Subscription. If you know their special interests, the right magazine can be a welcomed gift. Buy the current issue, wrap it and tell the recipient they will be receiving issues throughout the year.
7. Framed Picture. If you have a photo of the recipient’s child, spouse or pet, a framed picture makes a great gift.
8. Small Potted Herbs. To personalize a herb present, add a recipe that uses the herb and give it with your gift.
9. Home baking. This is one of the most inexpensive and easy Christmas gifts to give. Home baking is associated with the holiday season. By preparing early, you can have an assortment of baking ready in the freezer. This can be pulled out and given when a last-minute gift situation arises.
10. Charitable Donation. Make the donation to a charity that is supported by the recipient’s interests. For instance, an animal lover might appreciate a donation to the Humane Society; an art lover to a local gallery; and a musician to the local symphony.

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Image via Wikipedia

Writing Christmas cards should be fun, not daunting. Yet, we put off sending cards, we sit for hours try to decide what to say and wish we could just send a quick text message. Writing the perfect thought or holiday letter will make your Christmas greetings memorable. What you write should reflect you, your family and the spirit of the season.

You have your cards at the table with pens and stickers in hand. Now what? Here are some etiquette tips from Hallmark to help you address and sign your cards:

For family and friends:

• Personalize your cards with a little note, and always sign the card – even if your name is printed.
• Keep your signature informal – no courtesy titles, and to close friends and relatives, no last names either. Traditionally, family signatures begin with the father’s name, then the mother’s and finally the children, or simply “John, Mary and family.”
• If a card is from more than one person, the person who signs it should write his or her name last as a gesture of courtesy.
• When sending a card to a couple with two different last names, address the card to “Mary Smith and John Jones.” If there are children, write “Mary Smith, John Jones and Family.”
• When addressing cards to family and social friends, include the children’s names.

For business and professional relationships:

• Mail cards for business associates to the office. If you are social friends, however, or have met the person’s spouse or significant other, send cards to the home.
• Business greeting cards should be more tailored and formal than cards for family and social friends. Messages are brief and usually secular.
• When sending to a co-worker in your own office, send the card to the home and address it to “Mr. and Mrs.” if the recipient is married.
• When sending to a married woman who uses her maiden name at work, address the cards to “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.” If she prefers to use her maiden name for all occasions, work and social, address the card to “Mr. John Smith and Ms. Susan Jones.”
• Sign only your name to a card for a business associate, unless your spouse has met the recipient.
• If your family creates a holiday newsletter, do not send it to co-workers unless you have a very close personal relationship with them.

Special situations:

• When sending a card to someone of a different tradition or ethnic background, choose a card with a secular design and sentiment, such as “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings,” or those with general good wishes or wishes for peace. As an alternative, send a Thanksgiving or New Year’s card instead. Hallmark offers many options for these holidays as well.
• Take special care following a death in a family. Cards are available with messages of sympathy at Christmas. If the card is to a widow, address her as “Mrs. John Jones.”

How to properly place a card in the envelope:

• Insert the folded side into the envelope with the design face up toward the flap.

Mailing notes:

• Save yourself holiday hassles by mailing early – any time after Thanksgiving and before New Year’s Day is appropriate.
• Mail cards first class so they will be forwarded or returned to you if the address cannot be located.
• Include your return address to comply with postal service requirements and to help your friends keep their mailing lists up to date.

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One of the more popular posts at Ian’s Messy Desk is, Control your body language for effective communication. Recently, I came across a website specializing in the area of body language, Body Language Expert.

From their About page:

BodyLanguageExpert was formed to offer a unique reference point on reading and understanding body language.

Body language is an important part of communication. We discuss unspoken communication and what it might mean.

Our concern was that there was no single UK resource for interesting features and practical advice on this subject.

Our features and articles are written by professional journalists and experts – who have a particular interest, or a background in this area.

There are currently 60+ articles, organized by the following categories:

• Gender Differences
• Parenting Advice
• Personal Interaction
• Practical Applications
• The Basics
• The Business World

with new articles being added all the time.

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Image by volvidejapon via Flickr

A few years ago, I compiled a list of links to Christmas carols and song lyrics with guitar chords. Since that time, these lists have proven to be popular posts during the holiday season. I know it’s off-topic for a productivity/personal development blog, but because of it’s popularity, I like to refresh the list each year to keep it active.

If you stop and think about it, carol singing with a guitar is an inexpensive and easy way to enjoy the holiday season. The guitar is probably one of the most popular musical instruments around and in any group of people, there will be someone who can play.

If you’re looking for a simple way to spread Christmas cheer, grab some guitar-playing friends and:

1. Have a carol sing in someone’s home
2. Go caroling in the neighbourhood
3. Visit care homes and have a carol sing with the residents
4. Get the kids away from the Wii and sing some carols

If you’re planning a holiday sing-along, here’s a good collection of Christmas carols and songs to get you going:

• A Baby Just Like You
• All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
• All I Want for Christmas is You
• Angels, From the Realms of Glory
• Angels We Have Heard on High
• As Lately We Watched
• As With Gladness Men of Old
• Away in a Manger
• Blue Christmas
• Bring a Torch
• Christians, awake, salute the happy morn (txt)
• Christmas in Killarney
• Coventry Carol
• Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Download)
• Feliz Navidad
• Friendly Beasts
• Frosty the Snowman
• Go Tell it on the Mountain
• God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
• Good Christian Men, Rejoice
• Good King Wenceslas
• Greensleeves
• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
• How Great Our Joy
• Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• Here Comes Santa Claus
• Here We Come A Wassailing
• Huron Carol – ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime (txt)
• I’ll Be Home For Christmas
• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• I Saw Three Ships
• Joy to the World!
• Jingle Bell Rock
• Jingle Bells
• Jolly Old Saint Nick
• Let It Snow
• The Little Drummer Boy
• Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming (txt)
• Mr. Grinch Theme
• Nuttin’ for Christmas
• O Christmas Tree
• O Come, Little Children (txt)
• O Sanctissima (txt)
• O Holy Night
• Once in Royal David’s City
• O Come, All Ye Faithful
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• O Little Town of Bethlehem
• Patapan – Willie, Take Your Little Drum (txt)
• Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• Silent Night
• Silver Bells
• Sleigh Ride
• The Christmas Song
• The First Noel
• The Friendly Beasts (txt)
• The Twelve Days of Christmas
• (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays
• Up on the Housetop
• We Three Kings
• What Child Is This?
• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
• Walking in a Winter Wonderland
• We Wish You A Merry Christmas
• White Christmas

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Your house is more than the place where you live, it’s your home and an important investment. A regular program of maintenance and repair can help you protect that investment, and help keep your family safe.

The productive approach is to take time to perform the following simple tasks. This will help you avoid the most common — and costly — problems before they occur. The time invested in preventative maintenance will be far less than the time necessary to repair major problems.

Add these to your seasonal checklist:

• Check and clean or replace your furnace filters on a monthly basis during the heating season.
• Have your furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company (every two years for a gas furnace and every year for an oil furnace).
• Bleed air from the hot water radiators, and turn the gas furnace pilot light on.
• Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust, remove the grilles on forced-air heating systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
• If you have a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), clean the outside air intake grill, the filters inside the unit, and the core, and pour water down the condensate drain to test it.
• Have well water tested for quality.
• Check the sump pump and line to ensure proper operation. There should be no line obstructions or visible leaks.
• If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if it needs to be emptied before spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
• Replace window screens with storm windows, and ensure all windows, doors and skylights shut tightly, including the door between your house and garage.
• Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall to prevent water from draining into the basement.
• Clean leaves from eavestroughs and downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof, and check chimneys for nests or other obstructions.
• Cover the outside of air conditioners, and drain and store outdoor hoses. Close the valve to the outdoor hose connection, and drain the faucet (unless it is frost proof).
• Winterize landscaping by storing outdoor furniture, preparing gardens and, if necessary, protecting young trees or bushes for winter.

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Muscular tension and pain caused by repetitive work activities is common. Try these simple exercises right at your workstation to relax your muscles and energize your spirit. Do these stretches often throughout the day to prevent injury, not just when you are tired and stiff.

• Head tilt – Place your right hand on your left shoulder and slowly bring your ear towards your right shoulder without turning your head. Hold this for five seconds and then switch sides.
• Neck rolls – Slowly roll your head to the right, down to the centre and over to the left. Repeat in the opposite direction.
• Shoulder circles – Sit up straight and slowly roll your shoulders forward ten times and back ten times.
• Side stretch – Reach your arms out to the side and then clasp your hands above your head. Lean your upper body to the right side. Hold for five seconds and then switch sides.
• Back curl – Hold your right shin and lift your leg off the floor. Bend forward and curl your back reaching your nose to your knee. Repeat on the other side. This exercise will also stretch your legs.

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by Denis Waitley

1. Accept the Unchangeable – Everything that has happened in your life to this minute is unchangeable. It’’s history. The greatest waste of energy is in looking back at missed opportunities, lamenting past events, grudge collecting, getting even, harboring ill will, and any vengeful thinking. Success is the only acceptable form of revenge. By forgiving your trespassers, you become free to concentrate on going forward with your life and succeeding in spite of your detractors. You will live a rewarding and fulfilling life.

Your enemies, on the other hand, will forever wonder how you went on to become so successful without them and in the shadow of their doubts.

Action Idea: Write down on a sheet of paper things that happened in the past that bother you. Now crumple the paper into a ball and throw it at the person teaching this program at the front of the room. This symbolizes letting go of past misfortunes.

2. Change the Changeable – What you can change is your reaction to what others say and do. And you can control your own thoughts and actions by dwelling on desired results instead of the penalties of failure. The only real control you have in life is that of your immediate thought and action. Since most of what we do is a reflex, subconscious habit, it is wise not to act on emotional impulse. In personal relations, it is better to wait a moment until reason has the opportunity to compete with your emotions.

Action Idea: Write down in your diary one thing you will do tomorrow to help you relax more during and after a stressful day.

3. Avoid the Unacceptable – Go out of your way to get out of the way of potentially dangerous behaviors and environments. When people tailgate you on the freeway, change lanes. If they follow you at night, drive to a well-lighted public place.

When there are loud, obnoxious people next to you at a restaurant or club, change tables, or locations. Also, be cautious of personal relationships developed via the Internet. With the massive number of individuals surfing the net, the number of predators increases in like proportion. Always be on the alert for potentially dangerous situations involving your health, personal safety, financial speculation and emotional relationships.

Action Idea: What is one unacceptable behavior you have or allow others to do to you that you will avoid starting tomorrow? Example: The way you drive, being around negative people, walking down dark streets alone late at night, etc.

Reproduced with permission from Denis Waitley’s Weekly Ezine. To subscribe to Denis Waitley’s Weekly Ezine, go to www.deniswaitley.com or send an email with Join in the subject to subscribe@deniswaitley.com Copyright © 2005 Denis Waitley International. All rights reserved worldwide.

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There are a number of factors that effect the way your voice sounds:

• Physical – the size and shape of your mouth, nasal passages, vocal chords, etc.
• Health – your general well-being and the tone of your muscles.
• Temperament and Personality – the way you respond to things going on around you.
• Environment – both physical and social.
• Youthful habits – your vocal behaviour as you were growing up.

Most of these factors can be altered or retrained to improve the quality of voice when you speak.

Here are some basic concepts to improve and develop your voice:

Loosen up

You used your voice freely when you were a child. As you developed “mature” speech, your vocal habits became ruts. You need to go back and revive the freedom in using you voice, exercising your imagination and experimenting:

• Imitate animals – moo, crow, quack, meow, bark, etc.
• Imitate musical sounds – a bell, a drum, a trumpet
• Get your body into it – pretend you are cheering on your favourite team, cheer, encourage, groan.
• Practice emotion – say good morning as many ways as you can – cheerful, perfunctory, angry, grumpy, etc.

Focus on meaning

Find some passages to read aloud. Before you start, read the passage to yourself and analyze the meaning. Read the passage out loud and try and convey that meaning with your voice: stress the basic thought; the development of the thought; the balance of ideas; any contrasts; etc.

Use your emotions

The physical state which accompanies emotion will help you vocalize. As you read a passage aloud, try and recall a situation where you have had similar feelings.

Practice vocal mechanics

Musicians practice the basics regularly. A pianist has a range of exercises to develop their dexterity, speed, sensitivity. A good speaking voice should also be developed with exercises.

Here is a brief idea of the types of exercises that will improve your voice:

• Say the OO sound as low-pitched as you can. Slide smoothly up to a higher pitch (think a musical octave) and slide back down to the original pitch.
• Say the OO sound for a long as you can. Repeat on different pitches. Do the same for the sounds AH, OH and EE.
• Say the OO sound starting as quietly as you can. Gradually increase the volume, then let the sound get quiet again. Do the same for the sounds AH, OH and EE.

An Internet search on “vocal exercises for speaking” will give you many more exercises from which to choose.

Speakers in the past have worked to improve their voices. It takes time, patience, knowledge and practice.

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