You Practice What You Teach.

It still amazes me how much of what I teach and preach comes back to me when it is my turn to stand in front of a group and make a presentation. 

Yesterday, July 27, 2010 at 9:00 AM, I found myself the center of attention for ten amazing women, all interested in what I had to say about “Opening Your Presence.”  No pressure there, right?  I’ve written the book, or more accurately, I AM writing it; I know this material inside and out and in my twelve-year coaching career, I have done no less that 50 workshops on a variety of topics.

Me, nervous?  Yes.   

Participating in yesterday’s group were three attorneys of various specialties and experience levels, an international sales rep for an exclusive hotel chain, a television producer, a life coach, two wardrobe stylists, an actress, a green consultant… and oh yes, one colleague, auditing the workshop to help me improve my level of service. 

The majority of my workshops have either been commissioned by an individual company with a specific issue to address or tailored to a field, for example, young law associates or talent for a television station.  This professional diversity presented some unique challenges for custom-tuning a two-hour workshop!  

To be or not to be nervous is NOT the question.  In this case, 'twas nobler to deal with it properly, allowing that energy to work for me.  By preparing adequately, then committing to being present in the moment allows me to accept that the knowledge is there and will be presented when that moment is right.  Having the proper focus with purpose gave the nervous energy somewhere to go, rather than distract from my mission.  

My  preparation was slightly differently, as was the focus, but I have enough experience to realize that my nervousness was due to the slight shift in familiarity.  I remember the first time I coached the broadcast team for the Dallas Mavericks.  There I was at a professional basketball game, on the floor, amidst the broadcasters!  Exciting doesn’t begin to describe it.  The noise was deafening, not to mention distracting and I realized I was so far out of my comfort zone, it was a distant memory.  But the skills for live radio broadcasting were the same.  Focusing, staying alert and listening told me everything I needed to know. By the time the season was over, I could high five with the best of them.   

My mission provided the calm.  I often invite my clients to step out of their comfort zones and so I took one mother-may-I, giant step forward and did what I always do. I gave it my all.  As the two hours passed, we shared experiences and stories proving once again, that in diversity there is common ground.  The situations may vary, but it all comes down to one solution: embrace our strengths with focus and skilled guidance to fully open our presence.  

I look forward to the individual sessions I will have with each workshop participant so that we can formulate a distinct plan, zeroing in on the challenges generated within each profession.  And I as always, will walk away feeling I have learned the most! 

-Greta Muller 

Breathe Easy It's Only Stage Fright

You know the feeling. You're backstage or in your seat, about to be introduced, or introduce yourself. You have carefully reviewed your notes and rehearsed your presentation in front of your bathroom mirror, in the hotel room, or in front of your dog/cat. You're prepared. You're slicker than the Gulf of Mexico. Bring 'em on, I'm ready, you say to yourself. And then . . . . it hits.

The feeling rushes over you like a tsunami of pure fear. Your hearts races, your pulse pounds, palms sweat. Suddenly you have an odd feeling of not being in your body. The carefully coiffed hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Your mind searches for your first words, your first slide, your first . . . . my first . . . what!? OMG! I have forgotten the whole thing? That can't be! Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

Something in your consciousness hears your name being announced! Images of the second grade assembly on "Saving Our Woodland Friends" where you forgot your entire memorized speech as the Owl in front of chortling and amused parents and teachers rushes through your mind like the Acela train you took to get here.

The most primitive part of your highly evolved brain is running the show now. This is bad. Oh this is bad!

But wait!

Rewind a bit to when that first wall of total fear hit you. Did you let it take total control of your entire being? Or, did you follow the few simple steps covered here by the good people at C3?

Here they are. And don't worry, we'll write reminders on your palms if we have to.

1.) When Stage Fright comes, just let it in the door like an old friend you've been expecting. Feel the symptoms, accept them. Because they will actually help you give a better presentation. But first . . .

2.) Take full, complete Cleansing Breaths. What do we mean by Cleansing Breaths?
That kind of breathing you do in your yoga class on Saturdays before you go out to brunch and mess up a week of dieting.

3.) Here's the deal: CB's are nature's way of pumping relaxing and energizing endorphins into your bloodstream at the perfect time. And you can take CB's whenever and wherever you want. (More on this in a later post)

4.) Here's the four step process:

1.) Breathe in through your nose. A nice full breath.
Feel it in your belly.
2.) Hold your breathe in for a slow count of five.
3.) Release your breath slowly through (and this is important)
pursed lips.
4.) Repeat.

And that's it! You will instantly feel your body start to calm and your mind will come back into the room. You can't have debilitating stage fright when you are breathing deeply. The two can't exist in the same body at the same time.

There, now you can give the great presentation that you've prepared and knock your audience's cashmere socks off.

More later on all of this in a later post. But for now we wish you all good Cleansing Breaths everyone. Good Presence to all! And to all . . . no Stage Fright!

There's still time to register for the July 27 Workshop!

Register Here!

Welcome to Tips and Talk from the Media Coaches at C3!

Hey everyone. Hope this blog finds each and every one of you in fine presence and that all of your presentations and media projects are going swimmingly. Pardon my use of an aquatic adverb but it is July and I would imagine that all of you wish that you were spending more time up to your necks in cool water. However, if you find the opposite is true and that you are in over your head in the hot water that is business these days we offer this humble blog in the hope that you can find its tips and gentle proddings just the thing to make your speechifying and media presence impactful and communicative.

So welcome! Please come back often. Not only will you find great advice and delightful anecdotes we also will feature great recipes from Greta's kitchen (a better Cajun cook has never been born).

Come back tomorrow to read about banishing stage fright forever!