The Art of Public speaking

Public speaking is an art. Mastering this art requires some practice and effort. Many people fail to do true justice to their talents because of the inability to speak in public. It is common for many students or professionals who are hugely talented otherwise, but stutter while speaking in public. What this does is one, restricts the career growth and second, person suffering from this problem has clear issues of low self confidence. So how to tackle this impediment?

Remember, body is used to two responses of fight or flight. So either, you handle the butterflies in your stomach or you just hide in a flight mode. While we go on stage to address a large gathering, the rush of adrenaline is more than usual. We keep assuming, what people will be thinking of, what if I make a mockery of myself, what if I start stammering, what if I forget what I was to say and the ‘what if’ phenomenon goes on..

First thing first. Nobody knows you and everybody is conscious of the fact that its ‘you’ who is on the stage and speaking. Don’t assume how people will be reacting. You are what you are and you definitely have your own style of speaking. You must establish eye contacts with the audiences. This helps in communicating the message clearly and shows you are very much confident about what you are saying.

You should also use appropriate body language. Proper movement of hands makes a lot of difference. Before you begin, it will also help if you could communicate a clear set of ground rules from public speaking engagement aspect. Few speakers love to interact with audiences during the speech whereas few others invite questions only when they end the program. Finally, try to master the art of telling stories. All these suggestions will help you in improving your public speaking and if it works for you, don’t hesitate in sharing your experience.

Powerful Thoughts

To a certain extent we all know the power of thoughts. Positive Thoughts are truly powerful. Thoughts are also extremely creative and can cause huge difference in our lives depending upon what one think. Preachers, philosophers and great motivators always talk about power of thinking. It has been rightly said that, thoughts are so powerful that one can make his life the way he wants it to be if he thinks on those lines.

It is believed that there is a certain connection between create life force energy and powerful thoughts and one can dramatically affect another. 

The energy present in thoughts makes them creative and dynamic. Thoughts always have elements of focus, energy and emotions. So if one experiences things of life in a positive way, it gives way for powerful thoughts. The power of thoughts makes itself manifested in high self confidence, positive approach towards life and enthusiastic persona.

One will need to work in a disciplined and consistent way to enhance his powerful thoughts. It is definitely a long journey but worth the labor. The thoughts have the power to change not only someone’s perspective about life but it also affects lives of people in one’s surrounding. It can make a direct impact on others when they come into your company and a positive vibration spreads throughout. Keeping an eye on your thinking pattern is of prime importance. Negative thoughts must be kept aside and should be replaced with happy images and positive thought process. If one wants to attain happiness and peace of mind, positive thinking is the key.

Learning

We all know the importance of learning. It would not be an exaggeration to admit that human civilization is founded on the basis of learning. Without learning, world would have been a different place. In fact, learning is what makes us different from animals. But learning again has several aspects and layers. Not surprisingly, governments all over the world emphasize the need of education and learning. This habit is not just for kids but also for adults who are losing the art of reading in the era of instant information. Let’s check some wonderful quotes that demonstrate the importance of learning.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.

- Alexander pope:

Your ability to learn faster than your competition is your only sustainable competitive advantage.

- Arie de gues

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

- Buddha:

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

- Alvin toffler

Then, without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day; of course, you achieve quite a lot in the course of time. Anyone can do this; it costs nothing and is certainly very helpful. Whoever doesn't know it must learn and find by experience that a quiet conscience makes one strong.

- Anne frank

Learning without reflection is a waste, reflection without learning is dangerous.

- Confucius

In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.

- Eric Hoffer

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

- Arthur Koestler

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes, which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness, for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning.

- Carl Rogers

Generosity

The moment I mention the word, generosity, something strikes up in the mind, no? Rings a bell? Well, we keep coming across notions of generosity in our day to day lives. We are taught to be generous in our deeds and words. But easier said than done. Many people find it really hard to be generous considering we all are struggling in some way or other. The focus is always on ‘self’ factor. The competition is cut-throat and one is not expected to make any mistake in personal as well as professional life. One simple mistake and you no longer find yourself in the place. People have started to become less and less tolerant. Generosity is a virtue that has always been admired but not many strive to be generous. This word does not just signify giving away large sums of rupees or doing great social work. It could also be just a nice word, a warm greeting and an endearing smile. That’s all it takes and that also makes it easier to start with. Perhaps one warm touch is all that the other person requires. I would be sharing a story of The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who exemplifies how you can appreciate little gestures of life and cherish them forever.

“Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the Charkha Sangh. During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. "I must see him," she insisted and going up to Gandhiji touched his feet. Then from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully.

The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. "I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the Charkha Sangh," Jamnalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin." "This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands," Gandhiji said. "If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees.”

Happiness Quotes

Happiness is such an important virtue to have. If truth be told, happiness is the essence of life. So, let us share some finest quotes reinforcing the virtue and necessity of this wonderful human quality.

Men spend their lives in anticipations,—in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one advantage over every other—it is our own. Past opportunities are gone, future have not come. We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer the tasting of them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.

- Aristotle

People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.

- George Matthew Allen

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.

- Albert Schweitzer

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

- Aldous Huxley

Action may not always bring happiness;

but there is no happiness without action.

- Benjamin Disraeli

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.

- David Burns, Intimate Connections

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.

- Democritus

Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens.

- Douglas Jerrold

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitesimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.

- Albert Camus

Try to be happy in this present moment, and put not off being so to a time to come,—as though that time should be of another make from this which has already come and is ours.

- Thomas Fuller

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Happiness is not a matter of events; it depends upon the tides of the mind.

- Alice Meynell

Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.

- Epictetus

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.

- Benjamin Franklin

There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our will.

- Epictetus

Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.

- J. Petit Senn

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them.

- John Stuart Mills

The chances are that you have already come to believe that happiness is unattainable. But men have attained it. And they have attained it by realising that happiness does not spring from the procuring of physical or mental pleasure, but from the development of reason and the adjustment of conduct to principles.

- from How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, by Arnold Bennett

You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution.

- Robert F. Kennedy

The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken.

- Henry W. Longfellow

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

- Aristotle

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

- Helen Keller

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

- George Santayana

No man is happy who does not think himself so.

- Publilius Syrus

Our minds are as different as our faces: we are all traveling to one destination; --happiness; but few are going by the same road.

- Charles Caleb Colton

Great effort from great motives is the best definition of a happy life.

- William Ellery Channing

It’s Your Life

Last post discovered the missing elements of your life and how it affects your life in general. Let’s talk about how you can acknowledge your privilege to enjoy your desires. Did I say privilege? Oh, yes, absolutely. It is your birth right to pursue what excites you most and what makes you most happy. It is as simple as allowing yourself to accept your right of enthusiasm and excitement. It all boils down to your willingness and initiative. Time is never a constraint if you are enjoying your stuff. Yes, things will have to be adjusted but when managing time has been difficult for you? Remember, how if a sudden work comes up in office and you have to go whole hog to complete it despite the apparent lack of time. So in similar way, consider your fun stuff as your priority and do it whole heartedly.

One of the best ways to enjoy this new found freedom is to write it down. It’s like making a journal where you are expressing your desires and writing down the steps you have taken to achieve them. You can always manage to bring pleasure in your busy life style and trust this fact blindly. Excuses will run away and life once again, will seem like a pleasure journey only if you desire so. Never compromise with your pleasure quotient and literally indulge yourself. The moment you starts accepting less than what you deserve thing will always come in less measure. You have to realize that you deserve more and you will get it somehow. Finally, accept what you are and what you want. This is simply your life and you have got every right to live as you choose.

Fueling Your Passions

Passion is such a magical word. It has so much effect on our life. Passion simply signifies having something in your life that you absolutely love to spend time doing. It also means you do it on a regular basis and your participation in it gives you a great high and ultimately that results into a delightful living. It always pays to take some time off from your busy lifestyle and treasure your longings. Such small wonders make life worth living. Normally, humans in this cut-throat competitive world do not spare any time for their passions. As time runs out, they also get totally involved in professional and personal responsibilities and ignoring their passions. Whenever asked, one classical answer you will always get is lack of time. But in this mad rush, we forget to comprehend how badly we are affecting our lives by ignoring our passions.

It is always easy to push aside your special fun time and postponing your favorite activities to some other day but unfortunately that later date never come. Have you ever seen that date coming and offering itself to you requesting you to indulge yourself? No, you have not. How often you have seen other people stopping for a while in the hectic journey of life and doing things they love the most? How many times you have discovered that you really need to pause and reflect upon your life and find reasons of missing fun from your existence? Well, if you have not then it is high time you once again rediscover your passion and submit yourself wholeheartedly to it. It won’t take much of your time to pursue your passion. In fact, it could be one of the reasons of you enjoying other aspects of your life in full flow.