Checklist for Overcoming Pre-Speech Jitters

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microphone-298587_640Public speaking is one of those things that leaves some people weak in the knees. With wedding season and graduation on the horizon it may be time to start preparing that special speech. I know how stressful it can be to give a speech packed with humor, excitement and memories, all while shaking in your own heels. I was a maid of honor once and I wrote and rewrote my speech over and over again.  I even practiced in front of the mirror!  In the end it was fine but what an ordeal!

If you are tasked with giving a speech at a wedding, at work or even in front of the PTA — do not fear.  Bill McGowan, author of “Pitch Perfect: How to Say It Right the First Time, Every time” has created this checklist just for us to help calm nerves and deliver a stellar speech. Read more

4 Etiquette Rules You Never Knew

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etiquetteFor some reason, I’m always the “go to” girl for etiquette questions at the office. Etiquette extends far beyond the rules of holding doors and proper forks. I actually rather like etiquette but there is so much I don’t know! Experts like Emily Post, author of Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home, know much more than I do so I checked out their advice on these interesting etiquette questions.

1. Ladies first, right?  Nope — not when we’re talking about a revolving door. Men should actually go through a revolving door first so they can push it for a woman. Don’t believe me? Lizzie Post has become my go-to for etiquette questions on twitter. Check out what she has to say!

Revolving Door Tweet

 

 

 

 

 

2. To drink or not to drink:  If you bring wine to a dinner party, it is considered a gift and the host does not have to open it. Experts recommend that if you want the bottle you brought to be opened that night, you should offer to be the one bringing wine to the party in advance.

3. While there are major disagreements about this, most experts say that you do not have to give a gift if you are not attending a wedding. As a matter of fact, some experts say that it is not required to give a gift even if you are attending. The gift is traditionally meant to support the marriage, not the wedding itself. But if you ask me — I say go with the gift no matter what.

4. You don’t have to stop wearing white after Labor Day. Lizzie Post recommends switching over to winter white when it starts to get chilly!

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What etiquette questions have you always wondered about?

List of Things to Say in Awkward Situations

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We’ve all been there — in a situation where we are fidgeting and searching for just the right thing to say. These awkward social encounters can make us anxious, stressed out and agitated.

Dinner Parties

For some people – dinner parties can be excruciating. Small talk, people you don’t know and awkward silences can really make you uneasy. If you go into social situations like dinner or cocktail parties prepared — you will have a much better time. Here’s some ideas to pull you out of this tough time: Read more

Checklist for Public Speaking

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Whether it be at an important conference for work or in front of your peers for a toast — there will be a time in your life when you will have to address an audience. Before your palms get all sweaty — here’s a checklist from a pro on how to handle yourself. Mark Grimm is a former news anchor turned public speaking mentor.

Checklist for Dynamic Speaking

by Mark Grimm

It is exhilarating to feel in command when speaking in public. Yet no one is born with that gift. Dynamic speaking is an acquired skill that everyone can develop. Here are nine tips that can help make you dynamic:

1. Know Your Audience: Do your homework before you get anywhere near the podium. What is the audience looking for? Read more

Amanda Knox’s To-Do List

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To-do ListI’m a news junkie — there I said it. Big news happens and immediately my heart starts pumping and I get that “news feeling.” Once a newsy — always a newsy. Years in a control room will do this to you. This is exactly what happened to me when the Amanda Knox verdict was read.  She was set free and cleared of murder charges. Whoa — no matter what your feeling on the case — it’s shocking.

Immediately I put myself in Amanda’s shoes — if I were being released from prison after four years…what would I want to do?  What did I miss? Who should I visit? How do you take all that in?  So I made a list of to-dos that Amanda Knox should consider:

1. Get an iPad: I tell everyone I know that it’s the thing that you don’t need but that you have to have! She should immediately download Angry Birds.

2. Get Twitter & Facebook accounts: Twitter was just a baby when Amanda Knox was first imprisoned and perhaps she had a Facebook page as a co-ed…but things have drastically changed in four years.

3. Catch up on Movies, TV & Music: Avatar, Betty White’s comeback, Michael Scott’s exit, Oprah’s farewell season, Modern Family, Mad Men, Anything on Food Network, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse.

4. Eat Foods You Can’t Get in Prison: Green tea, dark chocolate, Pop Chips (so delish,) Pinot Grigio (I had to.)

5. Update Wardrobe: Buy skinny jeans immediately. Read more