Who's That Girl?

    If there’s one notion which haunts me in this lifetime, it is that we are not here to be “good” but to become “better.” This transcends beyond one simply upgrading to Voss brand sparkling water (absolutely the best in the world) or aiming to fit into super slender clothing. This ideology, for me, is one which plays to the deeper resonances of our lives and primarily dictates that we become “spiritually higher” or more evolved and at peace, when it comes to ‘connecting’ with others personally and interfacing with society on all levels – even with those who we consider to be our enemies. The Oscar winning role of “being the bigger person” may not provide that instant ego stroking sensation, as when we lash out or thrust our judgment and personal ways of handling our issues, upon others. But through time, what we have sent out into the world as our energy and attitude; will indeed soar right back to us in one way or another.

    So if our ability to converse and thus converge with another is our “gift” then it behooves us to take a little pride in how we select, prepare/wrap and deliver that present.

    Communication, on the surface level, is about polished presentations and attractive and engaging performances. But to truly master that ‘connectivity’ with our audiences – to truly reach those who need to be reached – we must be ready to release our egos and to become something more than just a master in a given field. To ‘hear ourselves talk’ or to relish in how much we know in one subject, is counterproductive and only perpetuates the vicious cycle of bad karma and/or stunted growth. As our knowledge means so very little if we cannot share it and translate it in an identifiable enough way, so that another individual shall feel engaged, motivated and excited to move to their next level of this given subject or task. (Some people choose the bully approach, and attack all they mentor with a “What were you thinkin’?” mantra and mood). Having taught students from all over the world, and having had many of them come to me for solace after experiencing a militaristic style drill sergeant (either as faculty, a parent or boyfriend/girlfriend) I can express that there is no greater way to shut down a spirit and talented soul trying to grow, than to berate them with the “how could yous” or “why” or “what’s wrong with you” inquisitions and judgmental handgranades.

    I believe in re-linking others to the light within themselves. The inner animal. One’s prowess, nuances, and personal story – all of which blend into the strongest tool in reaching an audience via public speaking, and that is the art of putting a little magic into what we say and how we say it. Quite often it is as simple as taking our seemingly flawed traits and welcoming in that “struggle” and allowing it to channel us toward delivering the very best gift we can, that may allow other individuals to embrace a new thought or attitude.

    I do not believe in traditional throngs of social convention when it comes to teaching speech and I specialize in training people how to extemporaneously perform, without any notes in front of them whatsoever. This genre of speech is not only evocative and powerful but most analogous to life, which is, as we live it, extemporaneous despite our best planning. How we move with the so called ‘turbulence’ in our trip, and how we parlay those bumps into the magnificent and appreciated ‘process’ and journey of arriving at our destination (both literally when we travel, and performance wise, when we are up there before the crowd and our show must go on); is what separates the “magical attitude” speakers from the mediocre. And when you think about it, doesn’t a little magic sound better?