Oh yeah, I'm back.

If you want a sure-fire way of being perceived as a boring speaker, then make sure you never move your body at all!

Huh?

Of course, I am assuming your goal is not to be perceived as a boring speaker, so you should do your best to use appropriate physical movement in your speech.

Don't move.

What is “physical movement”? It is exactly what it sounds like: how you move your body as you speak.

This encompasses a few things:

1. Whether and how you walk around the stage
2. How you use your arms and hands
3. How you move your body when not walking (swaying, leaning, hunching over, etc)
4. Your posture
5. How you position and move your head

For the purpose of this blog, we’ll leave out facial expressions.

Those will be covered later, if I can write that much again.

Many speakers, especially newer ones, spend a majority of their time focused on the words they need to say. I do. They may spend a little time thinking about how they will deliver those words (volume, tone, pitch, variety, etc). Physical movement is one of the last things they think of, if they think of it at all. This is sad, because proper physical movement can add a wonderful element to your presentations.

In fact, I've heard that body language is the best way to communicate.

Even with people you don't know.

Here are seven ways to include better physical movement into your presentations:

1) Be Aware of What You Are Already Doing

You can’t make something better until you know how well (or poorly) you are currently doing it. Your first step, therefore, is to take stock of how you are currently using your body when you speak.

What I do is RECORD everything so I can critique myself later.

Pretty darn impressive when you think about it. I mean you get to watch yourself on camera. How cool is that.

You can’t just think about it and assume you know. Quite often, we do many things unconsciously. Your best bet is to have someone videotape you delivering a real live presentation (not just one you are practicing at home or in your office). If that’s not possible, you can record yourself during practice. You can also ask someone to watch and give you feedback.

Even if you go with one of those options, make sure to videotape yourself live as soon as you can. And then watch it. Yes, this is hard, but you will learn more by simply recording and watching yourself then you will from “thinking about” your speech.

As you watch, make notes of how you do and don’t move. When I did this, I was stunned by how I swayed back and forth. Just realizing that I was doing it was enough to make me pay attention and stop.

2) Move Between Your Points

The simplest way to start adding movement to your presentation is to coordinate it with your speaking points. As you move from point to point, you can also move from spot to spot on the stage.

For example, if you are delivering your first point from the center of the stage, when you finish that point, pause, take two steps to the right, plant yourself, and then start your next point.

This may not seem like much, but this simple technique helps you remember to move and also gives the audience a visual indicator that you are switching topics.

Kind of like doing it automatically.

Pretty darn cool in my opinion.

3) Exaggerate When You Practice

When you practice your presentation (you are practicing, right?) you should exaggerate your movements.

Most speakers, when they get in front of a live audience, tend to “pull back” a little bit. The think they are moving a lot, but in fact they are moving in a very minimal way.

By exaggerating when you practice, you make sure that when you get live and pull back that your movements are still visible and comfortable for the audience.

4) Put Down the Notes

I am not one those people who has a big problem with a speaker using notes during their presentation. However, when used improperly, notes can be a huge impediment to your physical movement.

Be careful.

If you hold notes while you speak, two things may happen:

1. You will hold the notes in both your hands in front of you. This locks your arms at your side and forces you into a boring, stiff posture. If you are holding your notes, you can’t really move your arms and hands, can you?

2. You will keep looking straight down at the notes. This reinforces the stiff posture, and also makes it harder for you to make good eye contact. Eye contact is its own topic, but when it comes to physical movement, the simple act of making eye contact with different audience members can help you move. Also, when you keep glancing straight down, you project a weak, hunched over posture.

That's bad for anyone, especially if you're doing it in front of me, a
chiropractor.

Try to go without notes. If you must use notes, leave them on the lectern or table so you can refer to them if you need to. If you feel you absolutely must hold on to them, at least hold them in only one hand.

I like to do what Steve Jobs did.

Use pictures to prompt you.

Doing that makes it easy.

5) Pre-Plan and Practice a Few Moves in Advance

If you are new to this, don’t try to add physical movement to every moment of your talk. Instead, think through your talk and pick out a few moments when you could add in a little physical movement.

It could be moving between points. It could be acting out a bit of dialog (see next point). It could be using your hands to make a point. At first, it’s not as important what you do as it is that you try something.

Pick a few moments, practice them, and then incorporate them into your live speech. Afterward, review how those movements felt and whether you felt they worked for the audience (videotape is a great tool to help with this). Then you can edit, add, or delete movements for the next speech.

6) Act Things Out

You don’t need to turn your presentation into a one-person theater show, but when you are telling stories (you are telling stories, right?) you should use a little movement to paint a picture for the audience.

If you are talking about an angry patient, slightly act-out the angry patient. If you are talking about a time you were working on the computer, show us yourself working on the computer. If you’re telling us about a big door you came across, use your hands to give us a sense of the size of the big door.

The easiest place to add in a few act-outs is when relaying a conversation. When you share a conversation you were part of with the audience, turn your body slightly back and forth as you switch between characters. Not only does it help the audience keep track of who is saying what, but they also find it more interesting and entertaining.

7) Be Deliberate

The biggest KEY to using physical movement effectively is to make sure that all of your movements are deliberate. People who don’t move effectively usually never give any thought to it at all, so it is clearly not deliberate.

The first step is to be aware of what you are doing. Not just after the fact (as stated in point #1) but during your speech. Whether you move or not, it should be a conscious choice, and not just an automatic reflex you have no control over.

It takes time and practice to get to a point where you are able to be aware of all your movements as you do them, especially if you are obsessing over remembering what you need to say!

Your best bet, therefore, is to make sure you know your material well. If you are confident and familiar with your speech, then your mind will be much freer to focus on other things, such as your physicality.

With time and practice, you will eventually get to a point where being aware of your movements is something you do automatically and naturally. When that happens, you will be well on your way to being a powerful and effective speaker!

Don't forget.

It always takes practice to be good.

At anything.

Be good, be safe and think about marketing.

Talk later,

Dr. Carney

What differentiates you from everyone else?

I've got to tell you, if you're not doing this, you're
missing out on making more money and developing better
relationships with your customers/patients/clients.

I could write a book on this, but most people start this,
then they just more or less forget and then they don't
do it.

Here's the deal.

A hand-written note differentiates your business
from every other business.

So what's that info worth?

Thousands and thousands of dollars.

Literally.

I always make it a practice to send out hand-written
thank you notes to everyone I meet at events.

I like hand- written notes, because they're a physical
manifestation of you to that potential client, strategic
partner or referral source.

A hand-written note sets the tone for your office.

Hand-written notes also differentiate you from most
other businesses.

That's a huge wake up call if you ask me.

Ask yourself when the last time you received a hand-written
note from someone you met at a business setting was?

Quite simply, hand-written correspondence is a wonderful
way to build your business.

When I say build your business, I am not just referring
to acquiring new customers.

I am also referring to keeping the customers you have!

That's important if you're in business.

Have a great day.

And write, write, write.

Dr. Carney

I just checked...

8:01 PM

I know that I did a pretty good job
last year writing blog posts, but...

I was good enough to write about 229 of them.

Based on that... I decided at the first of the year
to WRITE at least one a day for 2012.

And as always, things in life seem to slow you down
and get in the way if you will.

That's why it's important to write your goals
down so you can step up your game... if you need
to.

And believe you me...

I have to step it up.

If you've been following my posts, I'll make it
up, and I am going to reach that 365 post mark
by December 31st of 2012.

There is so much information out there I wish I
could read, but time is always a limiting factor.

but don't worry, I'll make sure I get these done.

Have a great year.

Focus on your goals...

and make them happen.

Best of luck...

Dr. Carney

Are You Selling Or Are They Buying?

Are You Selling Or Are They Buying is a GREAT headline.

But it's something you definitely need to think about.

Seth Godin, a standup marketer has pointed out that there are products that are “bought”, and there are products that are “sold”.

Here’s an example:

-Ice cream is bought.

-Life insurance is sold.

Seth’s point was: knowing which one YOU offer.

My point is: decide to offer products that are Bought, thereby bypassing the need for Selling altogether.

This doesn’t mean, by the way that no storytelling (copywriting) is required.

Apple products are bought, but stories are told just the same.

The “little hinge that swings big doors”: it’s often the storytelling that fuels the buying.

Think about that and then read the headline of this article blog again.

Dr. Carney

I'm behind but you're going to love this...

8:10 AM
Monday
January 23m 2012

Wow.

Time is flying by.

I've got to get organized here or I'm going to
get way, way behind.

I've been reminded that I need to make these everyday
if I'm going to reach my goal of 365 posts this year.

If you've never went back to the front and read
all my posts, you've missed out on some vital
information.

but hey...

that's on you.

I'm just here to write and share.

Here's something I found today that I think you'll
love.

Read it and hopefully I'll get more of these written
or at least some frickin' videos or what I like.

Build your house well!

Hmmm, kind of a neat thought huh?

Most of us now live, or have lived, in a house of some type. Hopefully that house had the modern features of electricity, indoor plumbing, and hot and cold running water.

I remember when I was small, which was a long time ago, when I went to my grandma's, we had to go outside to an outhouse. BRRR, it was cold on my behind when I did that. Whew.

Anyway...

And while that is nice, there is another house that you are building that is far more important. I trust that the building materials you are using to build your own personal experience are of the nature and substance that will give you an absolutely great life!

There is this story that is told of a very wealthy man who decided to build a beautiful house.

His best friend was a builder, so the wealthy man asked him if he would build a house for him.

He told the builder that he wanted the house to be made of the finest materials that money could buy.

He wanted incredibly beautiful floors made of marble, the most expensive chandeliers, decorative stained glass windows and stunning oak doors.

The wealthy man told his friend to spare no expense because he wanted the house to be a beautiful place to live and enjoy.

Soon the building was underway.

However, the builder decided to cut costs and use substandard materials.

He also used second-hand items that he cleaned and polished to look like new.

He found old shingles and put them on the house.

He found wood that was very poor quality, but covered it with several coats of paint. The pipes he used were old and worn out, but he reasoned that no one would know because they would be hidden inside the walls and underneath the house.

He continued to build the house, cutting corners and doing everything in his power to save money. Yet, he always charged his friend the highest price for everything he used.

One day the job was complete and on the surface it looked great. The very wealthy man walked through the house, looking at everything, and was very pleased. His builder friend told him how he had spared no expense and had only used the finest materials and the best quality goods of everything he could find.

Suddenly, the wealthy man said to his friend, "I have a surprise for you! I have always admired your building ability and you have been a dear friend to me.

So, the reason I wanted you to build this beautiful house is because I am giving it to you as a gift.

I want this to be your house!

The builder's heart sank.

He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Rather than having a beautiful house built with wonderful materials, he knew in his heart that what he had built would not last very long. It looked nice on the surface, but because of the inferior quality, it was only a matter of time before everything would begin to break, fall apart and collapse. The builder was sick! He realized that the only person he had short-changed was himself.

I heard that story years ago and have never forgotten it.

The truth in it has been a guiding force in my life.

It taught me that whatever I do needs to be of good effort and top quality - otherwise, it will surely come back to haunt me, in time.

I was also taught that the most important building that I would ever build would be my own life.

I was encouraged to get a good education. I was challenged to study everything from theology to business, money and finance.

I was taught to be a thoughtful, kind and loving person to family and friends. I was encouraged to always have a good, positive attitude.

I was taught to work hard and help others reach their goals and dreams in the process. Have I done all of that perfectly?

Absolutely not!

But, I know that those are the materials for building a successful life.

Let me encourage you to build your life with the best materials possible.

Go out of your way to be kind and encouraging to other people, but don't let them walk all over you. If you know you're doing the right thing, then just do it.

Always have a good word and a smile for those with whom you meet. You never know what people are going to say about you, and so you always want to say good things about other people.

Learn about business principles and how money works. It's hard in business sometimes and people will try and take advantage of you, so don't forget about the man and his house I just talked about.

Study things with which you are not familiar in order to learn and grow in your own personal life.

Build your business, family, health, and career in a way that is not only pleasing to yourself, but to all those with whom you come in contact.

If you have a business, make it the best you can. Personalize it and people will see you're a giving person and you only want the best for them. Not all will see your efforts, but you never know who'll commend you on your efforts. When they do, you'll know it was all worth it.

I don't know where you are on this journey of life today.

You may be at the beginning.

You might be in the middle.

Or, you might be close to the end of your journey.

Doesn't matter.

Regardless of where you are, build your life with quality materials and you will become the person you were meant to be.

Build your house well! Build your life well. Hey if you make a few mistakes, who cares. In 50 years no one will care most likely so go ahead and do it.

Have a great week! God bless you!

Dr. Carney

P.S. Sometimes I've found out that life is great. Sometimes it's not, but hey GOD never promised me it would always be GREAT. But that's life right? Enjoy it and move on if something like that happens.

You Can Do This As Well...

January 10, 2012
Tuesday
Time is marching on
I'm getting older and
my posts are getting slower.

Hey there,

All kidding aside, time is moving on.

I was surfing the web and I ran across this
story and thought I'd just more or less copy
and paste it and make my comments along the way.

Hope you don't mind but I think the ideas
and the concept in this post are important
if you want to learn more about business, and
yourself.

When Castro and his Communist regime took
over Cuba, the socialist system replaced
free enterprise and many successful people
were devastated.

I wasn't very old but hey, I remember Castro
if that dates me.

Carlos Arboleya, an accounts officer for
one of the largest banks in Cuba, was one
of them that was devastated.

In 1960, shortly after Castro took over,
Carlos arrived at work and discovered that
all private banks had been taken over by the
Communists.

The government there took over control of the
banks. Not a good thing.

Three weeks later he was able to get himself,
his wife and his small son out of Cuba.

That was a smart move on his part.

The only problem was, Carlos arrived in America
with only $42 in cash. He was unemployed, had
no place to stay, and did not know a single person
in Miami.

Again, not the best situation.

He sought employment by going to every bank
Miami but all of them turned him down.

He did try them all apparently, but he didn't
give up.

He finally found a job in a shoe factory, taking
inventory.

Not the best job in the world, but a good start.

He had to do something and that was to get some
money coming in.

Carlos worked with enthusiasm and with enormous
energy as he put in countless extra hours.

That's something a lot of people are not willing
to do these days.

but...

Results were spectacular and within sixteen months
he was manager of the shoe company. Not bad for someone
in sixteen months.

A short time later he was offered a job at the bank
where the shoe company did business.

From there he moved into the presidency of the
largest chain of banks in America.

Oh yeah, the presidency.

Carlos Arboleya did what he had to do (provide for
his family) by taking a job he was over-qualified
for and eventually landed the job he desired.

Sometimes life just works that way.

Something happens and you think it's the worst thing
that could ever happen, when in reality GOD has taken
over, and has a plan. That's what most people forget.

There's always a plan.

Just follow the plan.

May not seem right at the time, but it's a good plan.

Carlos proved that it is not where you start but that
you start that counts.

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start
to be great.

Carlos’ story is simply a vignette in the overall
picture of America, the land where anyone who will
apply him or herself, and strive for that education,
can move forward to unique successes.

FACT: This is evidenced by the fact that 80% of all millionaires
in America are first-generation Americans. Think about it,
give it your best shot!

Hey maybe I'm back on track.

I'm trying and at least I'm doing something to get me
started.

Get it?

Talk later. Maybe even today.

Dr. Carney

I think I'm still on track... for 365 blog posts

I may be a little behind but I'm always
prompted by a good friend of mine to do
my best.

So, another friend of mine sent me this
video after I sent him a link to something
that could change the way you use your time.

Anyway, here's what he sent me back.

I like it so much, I'm going to share it
with you in reference to what this blog
is and what it means to me.



Dr. Carney

I'm getting it done.

January 6th, 2011

I should have six posts to stay on track
this year.

That's my goal.

Make a post everyday on average and that will
give me at least 365 posts for 2012.

I think this is number four or five, so I've
got to stay focused and get busy.



This is truly amazing.

just goes to show you what can be done if you put
your mind to something and do it.

That's my best motto from NIKE.

Just do it.

I like it and it works for me.

Doesn't matter if it's perfect, or right,
just get 'er done.

Dr. Carney

PS This might be considered outrageous marketing
because if you can get over a million people to
your town with something like this, it's going to
generate income.

I know, I know I forgot the song... darn it.

Well I was in a hurry so I forgot.

Here's the song.

Dr. Carney

yeah............ Now I'm ahead of the game.

I love this song
because of what it says.

It motivates me to become
that special person that
has what he wants, does what
he wants, and does it with
whom he wants.

Pretty simple and it works
for me.

What are your goals?

Have a great day.

Dr. Carney.

I'll be writing more about
marketing once the year gets
revved up.

Be watching for it.

Dr. Carney

Can I do It?

8:46 AM
Monday
January 2, 2012

My goal for this blog for 2012

Write at least an average of one
blogpost per day.

That means I want to write at least one
of these per day.

Average.

So this way I can miss a day or two or
even three, but still come back and write
more so I eventually have an average of
one blog written per day.

That's my goal.

One of them anyway.

Talk later.

Dr. Carney

setting GOALS for the New Year 2012

The SECRET to setting goals.

Yeah I'm sure you're reading this even
if you set some goals or you haven't set
one goal.

But think about this.

Goal SETTING is easy.

Really easy.

This is why so many people set goals.

Here's where it gets real.

Goal ATTAINMENT is tricky.

Yes tricky.

This is why so few people achieve their
goals after they set them in the New Year.

If you want to know the SECRET to goals,
keep reading.

Let me just show you the difference.

Goals:

The difference between goal setting
& goal attainment

* Goal setting is fun, liberating and can
be completed in an hour or less.

* Goal attainment is fun, but requires ongoing
commitment and a lot of work, sometimes often
over a period of many years.

Depends if you're talking short term or long
term goals. You may want to become a millionaire
but for most people that won't happen in a
single year.

It can, but for the most part, it doesn't.

The initial set of goals, which take some people
from poverty to financial security for life, probably
only took them around 45 minutes to commit to paper.

Yes this is the part where they actually SET their
goals.

The work required to make some goals real though, may take
years to achieve, while others can be made real by year's
end.

Goal attainment can cause you to stretch more than
anything in your life. It requires you to leave YOUR
comfort zones and stop blaming your past, for your future.

It can be the hardest, most fulfilling work you have ever
done and you should continue to set new goals all the time.

Reach a short term goal, then set another.

Want to know the secret sequence:

Set your goals, then do the work.

That’s the secret to goal attainment.

simple but not easy.

Have a great 2012.

Dr. Carney