Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***An Effective Closing is Just as Valuable as Your Opening in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2010 from Nancy DanielsThe poet Longfellow said, “Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.” While this 19th century poet was referring to the poem, his words are equally applicable to public speaking. Many great presentations and speeches are less than stellar because of a weak or ...
Views: 3242(3 votes) - ***Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Audiences? - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou bet. Generally speaking, women make better audiences for one specific reason: they laugh more. Male audiences, on the other hand, are more difficult because of ego. And, it does not matter whether you, as the speaker, are male or female. The results are the same either way. Studies done ...
Views: 3225(1 vote) - ***What Image Do You Project When Approaching the Lectern? - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOften we are so consumed by our speech or presentation, our delivery, or our nervousness, that we fail to recognize the value of composure in approaching the lectern or the head of the boardroom table. You are judged not only when you begin to speak but also during your walk to the front of the ...
Views: 3223(1 vote) - ***How To Make A 10-Minute Presentation When You Need 40 to Do the Job - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2008 from Nancy DanielsOne of the best courses I had in college was an English class on the 18th Century Novel. My professor assigned one book per week and would ask one question per book for which we were allowed to answer on only one typewritten, double-spaced page. The problem was that the question asked could be ...
Views: 3222 - ***3 Steps for Tapping the Full Potential of Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you want to tap the full potential of your speaking voice, do your homework first and research what is out there. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to improve the voice you already have or would you prefer to discover the voice you don’t know you have? Many coaches ...
Views: 3207 - ***The Best Training for Your Speaking Voice Means Learning to Breathe - The Right Way - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIf you are looking to improve your speaking voice, your first priority is to find a coach who will teach you how to breathe with the support of your diaphragm. Breathing with this support is something most people are not doing. In fact, 99% of the population is renowned for being lazy or ...
Views: 3207(2 votes) - ***Approaching the Lectern With Grace and Composure - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThe first time I had to introduce myself professionally was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I remember sitting, waiting for my turn to stand and walk to the lectern amidst 150 members of the London, Canada Chamber of Commerce. At first I was relaxed until it dawned on me ...
Views: 3200 - ***5 Tips for Selecting a Voice & Presentation Skills Workshop - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn my last article, I discussed what you should be seeking if you are interested in improving your presentation skills. In this article, I have added 5 more tips if you are planning to attend a workshop that covers both voice improvement and public speaking skills. 1. Make sure the company ...
Views: 3196(3 votes) - ***Tips for Controlling Your Rate of Speed in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more frustrating than listening to a public speaker deliver a speech or presentation at 100 mph. A few minutes at this speed is one thing; however, 50 minutes or more at that pace can easily lose your listeners. Talking too fast is tiring for both you as the speaker and your ...
Views: 3196 - ***When “Um’s” & “Ah’s” Are Part of Your Vocabulary -- You Know? - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most annoying traits in speaking is the use of verbal tics. We have all heard them at one time or another. If you are aware that your speech is plagued with these filler words, it would be a good idea to work on eliminating them because they take away from your message: your ...
Views: 3189(5 votes) - ***What Your Chronic Hoarseness May Be Telling You - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI did damage to my own speaking voice some years ago when I was coaching my son’s soccer team. I will pay for that mistake for the rest of my life because I will never sing again. Considering my voice is my business, I am blessed that it did not do the same damage to my speaking voice. What ...
Views: 3188(2 votes) - ***Can You Discover Your 'Real' Voice in a 2-Day Workshop? - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. In fact, given the right approach, you could enter the workshop in the morning with your ‘old’ voice and have lunch with your ‘new’ one. It happens that quickly. Of course, it is not a habit at that point, but it is the beginning of an amazing change in your life, both ...
Views: 3187(3 votes) - ***What You Need to Do in Public Speaking That You Probably Don't Do - by Submitted on Jan 08, 2010 from Nancy DanielsDo you know the #1 thing most novice speakers never think to do when delivering a presentation? It never crosses their mind and yet it is the one thing they are in desperate need of throughout their talk. And, once they lose it, they are in a constant race to catch up on it. No, I am not ...
Views: 3183(1 vote) - ***Color in Public Speaking Does Not Refer to What You Are Wearing! - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the requirements for dynamic speaking, whether it is at the lectern or just in normal conversation, is to be expressive when you talk. This is known as color and refers to your vocal variety, facial expression, and body language. All three elements work hand-in-hand to make your ...
Views: 3181(1 vote) - ***The Value of Good Diction in Business Today - by Submitted on Oct 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever noticed when watching a movie or a primetime television show that you can always understand the diction of those actors in which English is not their ‘mother tongue?’ We see and hear actors with German, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arab and African accents, ...
Views: 3177(2 votes) - ***Vocal Abuse Not Just a Result of Yelling or Shouting - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWe are hearing it more and more each day. We hear it with politicians, ministers, professional speakers, coaches, trainers, singers, aerobics instructors, and even the guy next door. It is called vocal abuse and it results from unnecessary wear and tear on the vocal folds (cords). Notice I ...
Views: 3165(1 vote) - ***The Only Way to Successfully 'Treat' Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2009 from Nancy DanielsI receive emails on a daily basis regarding vocal abuse – not just from those who are experiencing difficulty in talking but from singers as well. The only piece of advice I give them is to take the pressure off of the throat and vocal folds (cords) and allow their chest to become their ...
Views: 3162(3 votes) - ***If You Are Expecting Perfection in Public Speaking, You Will Lose the Battle - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are an A-type personality, public speaking can be most frustrating for you because of your need to make your delivery perfect. One of the definitions of perfection is to be entirely without fault. Have you ever seen a theater performance or listened to a concert that was entirely ...
Views: 3150 - ***Ladies, Is Your Face a 10 and Your Speaking Voice a 2? - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsYes, we are a sex very concerned with the image we project. We exercise on a regular basis; we are more aware of the foods we are eating; we try to get a good night’s sleep. As women, we want to look good; and, as we age, we know it takes more work. Our clothing is of the latest fashion; we ...
Views: 3149(4 votes) - ***Are You Losing Your Voice BEFORE the End of the Sermon? - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from Nancy DanielsA frequent problem that is coming to my attention is the number of ministers, rabbis, those in the clergy, who get in touch with me because of voice loss. For many of these people, they are sometimes losing their voice before the end of the sermon. Unfortunately, microphones are not the answer ...
Views: 3142(6 votes) - ***Do You Cringe When You Hear Yourself on Your Answering Machine or Voicemail? - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe first time I heard myself on a recording was many years ago when I was in college. I had a small portable Sony tape recorder and I was with my friends when we recorded ourselves. I was horrified when I heard my own speaking voice. What is fascinating about that experience is that ...
Views: 3141(2 votes) - ***Constant Clearing of Your Throat May Be a Sign of Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find that you are clearing your throat frequently when you speak, it may be a sign of vocal abuse. Ignoring it will not make the abuse go away because the process of talking is creating the problem. Therefore, the more you talk, the more you are irritating your throat and vocal folds ...
Views: 3137(1 vote) - ***Are You Giving a Speech or a Presentation? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2012 from Nancy DanielsThere is a lot of debate right now at a popular social media site whether there is a difference between the speech and the presentation. In truth, the answer might depend on what country you live in. Here in the States, we look at the speech as something that is probably ‘written’ out. ...
Views: 3136(1 vote) - ***Do You Know Which Sounds Are True Nasals? - by Submitted on May 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile we tend to equate nasality with New Yorkers, this issue is not just their problem. It is found in many parts of the United States and Canada as well. In the English language, there are 3 sounds known as nasals which should vibrate in your nose. They are the n, the m, and the ng sounds. ...
Views: 3130(2 votes) - ***3 Steps for Eliminating a Nasal Voice - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen we hear the word nasality, we tend to think of New York City and her 5 boroughs. Excessive nasality is not limited just to New Yorkers though. You can find various forms of nasality in certain pockets of both the United States and Canada. If you are from Philadelphia, Detroit, or ...
Views: 3119 - ***How Professional Do You Sound If Your Voice Is Childlike? - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2012 from Nancy DanielsDo you find that others have difficulty taking you seriously because you sound like a 12 year-old or worse still, an 8-year-old? Yes, ladies, I am talking about answering the phone and the caller asks to speak to your mother! Some years ago, I worked with Janice who not only sounded like an ...
Views: 3119(1 vote) - ***Your Childlike Voice Does Not Lend Credibility in Your Business Dealings - by Submitted on May 17, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you believe that the image you project has an impact on your professional or business life? I would imagine that your answer is yes. I would also imagine that you have heard yourself on some type of recording equipment - your voicemail, an answering machine, a camcorder, or maybe even an old ...
Views: 3119 - ***How to Put Your Nervousness to Good Use - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2012 from Nancy DanielsIn public speaking or any other type of live performance, the idea of trying to get rid of your nervousness is definitely not the right approach. Nervousness is that wonderful rush of adrenaline that can make you sharper, more alert and more focused. In fact, the benefits of nervousness are so ...
Views: 3111(2 votes) - ***If You Are Soft-Spoken, Try These 5 Steps for Being Heard the 1st Time You Say It - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo others ask you to repeat yourself a lot? If so, do you realize how much time and energy you waste saying your message a 2nd or 3rd time? In today’s fast-paced world, being heard the 1st time you say it is vital to your success. If others continually ask you to repeat yourself, eventually ...
Views: 3107(3 votes) - ***The 3 Things You Must Do to Increase Your Volume Without Shouting - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2012 from Nancy DanielsRecently, I worked with an NFL player in voice and presentation skills. During his 3rd session, he discovered the techniques for increasing his volume without shouting which I refer to as projection. He was stunned. It did not hurt his throat; it sounded better; and, his voice carried with ...
Views: 3107(3 votes) - ***Life, Emotion, Animation – Just How Colorful Are You in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2010 from Nancy DanielsYou can have the greatest voice in the world but if your delivery is not colorful then you are boring. There is no other way to say it. Speaking in a monotone does not sell, no matter what your business is. From all my years of experience, I have found that there are primarily three types ...
Views: 3099(4 votes) - ***Improve Your Voice; Improve Your Life - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsImagine the CEO of a company sounding like Fran Drescher in her role as “The Nanny” or the bimbo voice Melanie Griffith. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? In fact, when Melanie Griffith played in the movie “Working Girl” in which she takes over for her boss, she enrolls in voice training in order to ...
Views: 3095(2 votes) - ***Breathe Life Into Your Words When You Speak - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2010 from Nancy DanielsSomething we never think to do in public speaking is to breathe. We never think about our air supply and yet we find we are constantly running out of it as we struggle to get the words out of our mouth. Without air, you have no voice; and, yet, one of the most common complaints I hear from my ...
Views: 3093 - ***Nervousness in Public Speaking Is Not Selective! - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2009 from Nancy DanielsWhen it comes to public speaking, most people are aware that it is man’s greatest fear. Thus, it is not selective in who it affects nor how it affects those who stand at the lectern or at the head of the boardroom table to give that all-important presentation. There is no doubt that practice ...
Views: 3090(3 votes) - ***Discover One of the Little Known Secrets of Voice Training - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Nancy DanielsOne of the little known secrets of a good voice training course is that it will change your life for the better, both personally and professionally. Yes, your confidence will be bolstered and you will certainly sound more mature, but the improvements in your life will go far beyond your voice. ...
Views: 3083 - ***Horrified By What Comes Out of Your Mouth When You're Nervous? - by Submitted on Jun 07, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever stood at the lectern or were sitting for an interview and when you opened your mouth to speak, the sound emanating from your lips was much higher in pitch than you expected, wanted, or appreciated? While the raising of the pitch of the voice is common when nervous, it is also ...
Views: 3081(1 vote) - ***Is Your Diction a Stumbling Block to Your Success? - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhy does everyone else seem to get the promotion and not you? Is it possible that your diction is getting in the way? Speaking clearly today is now more important than ever because business has become global – from the largest corporations to those who run their own business out of their ...
Views: 3075 - ***Is Your Fear of Public Speaking Hindering Your Advancement? - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Nancy DanielsI am amazed at the number of people who confide in me that their fear of speaking at a lectern or even at the head of a boardroom table is jeopardizing their career advancement. This is so unfortunate because their fear is control of them instead of the other way around. Everyone is nervous ...
Views: 3072 - ***When the Caller Thinks You're a Female -- And You're Not! - by Submitted on Dec 27, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more distressing than for the person on the other end of the line to think you are a woman – or worse yet, to ask to speak to your mother – and you are a man. Rest assured that you are not alone but that does not make it any easier to bear. Being mistaken for a female over the phone ...
Views: 3071(1 vote) - ***Does Your Posture Speak Confidence Or the Lack of It? - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2012 from Nancy DanielsI had an interesting experience recently when I had new photos taken. One of the shots showed my shoulders drawn in – not back and straight. Whether I had liked the smile on my face or not was irrelevant, because the position of my shoulders did not speak of confidence which is something I ...
Views: 3067 - ***To Mark Your Script or Not? That Is the Question in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIt is interesting to note the diverse opinions when it comes to marking your speech with pauses and smiley faces and underlining particular words for emphasis. My questions to you follow. Do you want to give a speech that is akin to delivering a script as if you were acting on a stage? Or, do ...
Views: 3067(2 votes) - ***Your Body Is Talking -- What Is Yours Saying? - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBody language. It is a term we hear much about from articles, books, and the media. There is even a crime show, called Lie to Me, in which the main character specializes in interpreting the microexpressions and body language of others, cleverly changing his own body language to further ...
Views: 3063(4 votes) - ***Treat Your Audience Like You're Having a Conversation and Watch What Happens! - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the great mistakes made in public speaking is trying to be someone or something that you are not. Your audience is not in attendance, giving of their time, to hear or watch you be something other than yourself. They came to hear you be you. As a voice specialist, I have found that ...
Views: 3061(1 vote) - ***If Your Voice Is the Vehicle for Your Words, Are You Driving a Cadillac or a Jalopy? - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2010 from Nancy DanielsNo matter how great your message or how powerful your delivery, have you ever considered the vehicle or instrument that is transporting your words? What does the sound of your speaking voice say about you? If you are over 21 and sound like a teen or preteen, do you know that you image you ...
Views: 3059 - ***Those Who Teach Voice and Those Who Think They Teach Voice - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI recently read an article by a man who teaches presentation skills. He was discussing the fact that most people hate their voice on recording equipment because it is unfamiliar to their ear. What 'floored me' about his message was that he was suggesting you accept it and live with it. ...
Views: 3059(2 votes) - Webinar, Podcasts and Video Are a Good Reason to Consider Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you think of voice training, your first thought may be that it is something for actors or politicians. Presently voice training is something more and more people are becoming aware of because of YouTube, webinars, and the marketing of themselves by means of video. In truth, video is one ...
Views: 3053 - ***Plain Speaking is the Best Approach in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsIf you are scheduled to give a speech or presentation, plain speaking should be your choice so as not to appear affected, superior, or on exhibit. Plain speaking, simply put, is the ability to speak and be easily understood by all in attendance. And, it goes hand-in-hand with the theory of ...
Views: 3050(4 votes) - ***What You Can Learn from Clint Eastwood for Improving Your Presentation Skills - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2009 from Nancy DanielsActors wow us, amaze us, and inspire us but one, in particular, displays a level of confidence that I would wish for all in public speaking. The actor I am referring to is Clint Eastwood. In all the roles he plays, he never doubts himself. It is that level of belief in yourself and your ...
Views: 3047(1 vote) - ***What Should You Do With Your Hands When Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2009 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common questions I hear from my clients when they are practicing their presentation skills, is what should they do with their hands? That is a good question, so let me answer that question with a question to you? What do you do with your hands when you are in conversation? ...
Views: 3033(1 vote) - ***Winning the Battle of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsFor many people, just the thought of public speaking is enough to cause extreme panic. When you consider that it is man’s greatest fear, this is not surprising. While you may regard the act of standing in front of an audience and delivering a speech or presentation as a war that you will lose, ...
Views: 3031(2 votes)