Are You A Great Storyteller?

Soon we’ll be gathering with family and friends at Thanksgiving. And no holiday meal is complete without hot food and memorable stories. “Do you remember the time…” kicks off an endless series of childhood stories, family legends and embarrassing tales from the past.

Every family has one person who can captivate the room with colorful stories that make you laugh, cry or feel very uncomfortable. In my family, my father takes the storytelling cake. No one can match his skills when it comes to recreating visions of his Grandma Sally (who knew all the neighborhood gossip), his uncle who got sucked up into a tornado while riding on a horse, or the day he drove his new 1957 DeSoto sedan home from the car dealership (and taught himself how to drive a car on that first solo trip behind the wheel).

But you don’t have to have the gift of gab of a Daddy Gist (my father) to be a great storyteller. If you can tell a joke, explain why you like or dislike a movie or recall—in some detail—a sporting event or past experience, then you can tell a story to a friend, co-worker or meeting audience. The storytelling skills are the same (use descriptive words that make your listeners visualize what you’re talking about). If you are talking to an audience of one or 1,000, paint a word picture that lets them hear, see, feel, smell and get a taste for everything that went on.

I recently heard Mark Brown, the 1995 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, talk about storytelling. Mark (he is in the photo with me) said that every life tells a story and there’s always a message you can share. During the recent Toastmasters International conference in Daytona Beach, FL, he identified three ways to find stories to share with family, friends or business associates. Mark says:

1. MINE FAMILY STORIES – Keep your ears open at family events. During the holidays, family reunions or at the dinner table, someone is always telling a funny story.

2. USE POP CULTURE – Explain the impact that a movie, book or blog post had on you. “It’s all about lessons learned…and what you can share,” said Mark.

3. RETELL YOUR LIFE LESSONS – Everyone has had some experience that knocked some sense into our heads. Share what you’ve learned the hard way from your biggest mistakes. “Your life tells a story and there’s always a message that someone out there needs to hear. Sometimes a lesson we learned can be valuable and powerful to someone else,” said Mark. “You have no idea the impact you can have by sharing one simple story!”

As Smooth as Pumpkin Pie

Are you a smooth talker? Do words just roll off your tongue like sweat rolling down your face on a sweltering hot summer day? If both answers are “no”, there are five things you can do to make your next speech, presentation or job interview come off as smooth as pumpkin pie:

1. PRACTICE – If you are not comfortable talking off the top of your head—impromptu style—don’t! Rehearse your key talking points ahead of time. Make sure you emphasize the points you want your audience of one or more to remember.

2. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE – Do your homework (audience research) before you walk in the door. Know what issues your audience cares about and how you can help them solve that problem. Then, keep your job interview, speech or presentation remarks relevant to whoever you’re talking to. When you talk, you want your audience to listen. But they will only listen if you care enough to talk about topics/issues that they value.

3. EYE CONTACT – To establish a rapport with your audience, you must look at them. If you have prepared written remarks, memorize your opening and closing lines so your audience can see the sincerity in your eyes, your face and in your words.

4. PACING – Even if you’re nervous, don’t talk too fast or too slow. Rushing through your sentences can make you sound like a fast-talking used car salesman (they have no credibility). But don’t talk so slow that your listeners lose interest. Your voice should have energy. Get louder for emphasis and pause when you get to commas, periods and paragraph breaks. Vary the speed and the volume of your voice so you don’t sound like a boring, monotone Al Gore-type speaker.

5. SMILE – When I was a little girl, I used to watch the Buckskin Bill television show in Baton Rouge, LA. At the end of each show Bill said, “Remember, you’re never completely dressed until you put on a smile”. And he was right. Smiling lets your audience know that you are friendly, you like them and you care about whatever you’re talking about. Show off your personality, your emotions and your passion with a warm friendly smile.

Use these five tips during your next job interview, work presentation or community speech. I bet you will be impressive as a speaker and your delivery will be as smooth as pumpkin pie!

A Speech is Like a Three-Course Dinner

Do you have glossophobia or fear of public speaking? Don’t worry. You are not alone. Some experts say 75% of all people experience some form of anxiety or nervousness when they have to speak in public.

But you can solve your problem with a little practice and a new mental image of public speaking. You can join a Toastmasters International club to work through your glossophobia or you can practice at home in front of a mirror, family or friends. I am a member of Toastmasters, and I find it very comforting to think a speech as a three-course dinner.

Try this trick. Before your next talk at work or at a local community group, replace your negative image of public speaking with a delicious new image. Prepare your speech as you would a three-course meal. Think of your introduction, main points and ending as an appetizer, entrée and dessert—and you will enjoy your speaking experience more.

Don’t focus on how you will feel with everybody looking at you. Focus on the message you want to serve up to your audience and what you want them to think, feel or do in response to your message (meal):

1. Appetizer – A good appetizer or introduction wets the appetite for the main dish. Get off on the right foot with your audience and calm your nerves. Before you start talking, take a deep breath, smile and make eye contact with your audience. Make them want to hear your main points by getting their attention with a question, story or bold statistics. Relate the topic to them and give a brief overview of your topic (a quick tease).

2. Entrée – The main dish or the body of your speech should satisfy the audience’s hunger to hear your key points. Use stories, examples and humor to illustrate your meat and potatoes (your main points).

3. Dessert – A sweet dessert and a great closing should leave your audience wanting more. Make your ending memorable, like a mouth-watering cheesecake with fresh strawberries. Leave them with one point you want them to remember, a challenge to do something or a personal story that makes them laugh. Always end on a positive note.

Remember, re-direct your nervous energy into gestures and body movements that reinforce your message. Turn your uneasy frown into a smile and show enthusiasm for whatever you’re talking about. Like a good meal, you can enjoy a speech. Just serve up the appetizer, entrée and dessert with a new attitude!

Everybody Needs an Elevator Speech

Can you introduce yourself to a stranger in the time it takes to ride an elevator? Are you looking for a job, a promotion or more business for your company? If your first answer is “no” and your second answer is “yes”, then you need a memorable opening line. The “elevator speech” is a 30-second-to-two-minute conversation starter that introduces you to a new person.

Do you really need one?
Everyone wants to be memorable and impressive, so everyone needs an elevator speech. It’s just a short description that makes people want to know more about you or your business. Take a few minutes and be ready the next time someone says, “Tell me about yourself” or “What do you do”. These four easy steps can make you a winner at your next networking event, job interview or professional meeting.
 
Four easy steps
What do you need to say in your elevator speech? Keep it short. Describe yourself as a problem solver. Connect with the other person. Leave them wanting to know more about you.

1. Short and sweet – Quickly answer the question, “Why should I be interested in you?” Your opening line should be more interesting than your job title. Instead of saying, “I teach adult social media classes at Winter Park Technical School.” You can say, “I take the mystery out of using social media”.

2. Make a connection – Describe yourself as a problem solver and make a connection between what you have to offer and the other person’s needs. Use action or feeling words (dream, excite, love, drive, stress, etc.) to make an emotional connection. For example, “I take the mystery out of using social media and teach adults how to get comfortable with Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest”.

3. Start a dialogue – You want the person to ask you how you can help them. An elevator speech should be the foundation for a deeper conversation and eventually a relationship.

4. Close with a question – Close with an open-ended question (that can’t be answered with a “yes” or “no”) that shows you’re interested in learning more about the other person. For example, “I take the mystery out of using social media and teach adults how to get comfortable with Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. What do you do?”

Remember to tailor your elevator speech to your audience. Practice it, revise it and make it sound natural, not like you are making a memorized sales pitch. A good elevator speech can introduce you to a stranger and make you sound like someone they want to know more about. You can turn an elevator ride into a business opportunity or a valuable friendship.

Mississippi River is a Source of Inspiration

I’m no Mark Twain, but I can say that we both have found creative inspiration from the muddy Mississippi River. In the 1800s, Twain wrote books such as, Life on the Mississippi and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, based on his experiences growing up and piloting steamboats along the river.

On July 4, 2000, I sat on the river bank, near downtown Baton Rouge, LA, and watched a colorful fireworks display with my brother and my daughter. I was fascinated by the river’s strength and serene beauty. As we waited for the sky to darken and the light show to begin, I took this photo of the mighty Mississippi just before the sun set. “Old Man River” inspired me to write this poem:



GOING WITH THE FLOW

When you hit a bump along the way and it knocks you off your mark, just relax, change your course and go with the flow.

If you’re swimming with the fishes and you’re moving way too slow, you may have to change your pace to catch up with the flow.

When an unexpected challenge tries to pull your spirits down, believe in yourself, work to your strengths and you will never drown.

Don’t let them sink your ship in the water and never get too low, everyone can be a winner if they master their own flow!

Getting Inspired, Energized and Empowered

Recently I attended a women’s empowerment seminar, “Sisters Take Charge!” I originally signed up for the event to hear handsome author and former radio host Michael Baisden, but I got more than I bargained for. I was inspired by all of the presenters—local doctors, business leaders, a minister and an educator—but three speakers really resonated with me.

Dr. Peola Dews Jackson, a local educator and motivational speaker, emphasized the importance of acceptance, improvement and the Law of Attraction. She had three powerful messages:
• Acceptance: Love yourself the way you are.
• Improvement: Keep growing and trying to improve yourself. “You are good, but you can be damn good if you want to be,” she said.
• Attraction: When you feel good about yourself, you will attract the people in your life that you need.

Michelle Tatom, director of Small Business Development for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, talked about three prerequisites for success. She urged us to:
• Forgive: Don’t carry the extra baggage of hurt and anger. Forgive the people who have hurt you and move on with your life.
• Believe in Yourself: You have to feel that you deserve success. Appreciate your good qualities and know that you are worthy of the best.
• Be Fearless: Don’t let fear hold you back from trying something new. “Fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real,” she reminded us.

And Michael Baisden gave us some valuable tips for building healthy relationships. He told us to create a new role model for successful relationships based on honesty, realistic expectations and good communication. He said women should keep our standards high and challenge our partners to meet our high expectations.

Yes, sometimes it’s worth spending time on a Saturday getting inspired, energized and empowered!

Happy Father's Day!

   Deadbeat dad, absentee father, emotionally distant parent. Some folks can describe their father with those adjectives. Thank God, my father doesn't fit that mold. For James Cleveland Gist Jr, his mantra is, "family first". As a child, I always knew who to ask for an expensive toy or an unnecessary piece of clothing. I'd make a beeline to good ole dad. And his answer was predictable: "Just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you, Roz". He loved spoiling his three children and giving in to our every whim.

   My dad will celebrate his 93rd birthday in September and he has a lot to be proud of. He's the oldest of 10 children, he served in World War II and used the GI bill (an educational subsidy for military veterans) to earn a masters degree from Columbia University in the 1940s. He taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA for more than 40 years and wrote a earth science textbook, which he taught from in the 1990s.

  

   Jimmy (as my mother calls him) is a gentleman with a great sense of humor and a phenomenal capacity to teach tough subjects (like chemistry and physics) and explain them in a way that any college student could grasp. He brought science alive for his students by showing them how it is everywhere and part of everything we do. He even got me to learn about geology as a child, by buying me a toy rock collection. He lured his students in with his friendly personality and got them to understand physics--a subject most college kids try to avoid.

   Even today, you never see my dad without a book in his hand and a smile on his face. Before there was a Weather Channel on television, he was fascinated by tornadoes, hurricanes and the power of nature. Thanks to my mom (pictured with my dad at their 60th wedding anniversary in 2010) I have an appreciation for the arts (music, drama, dance, etc.). And I have to thank my dad for making me fall in love with books that tell great stories. He introduced me to poetry and the art of storytelling.

   To say my dad has the gift of gab is an understatement. He loves to talk--non-stop--and paint memorable verbal portaits of people, places and things. When he rears back in his chair and starts teaching, you're going to hear a long, life lesson. Daddy never gives you the short explanation or a quick story. When he starts talking, you'll be there for a while. I have learned to relax and enjoy this master talker work his magic.

   On Father's Day, Daddy, I want to thank you for being a great role model of how to live a life filled with gratitude, compassion, patience and empathy! Thank God (and mom), you're my dad! Happy Father's Day!