I was told in school many years ago that whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. You know, there’s a lot of powerful truth in that simple observation. We truly can talk ourselves into anything. So why is it that we’re always more concerned about what other people think? Why would we try to give our greatest power away to someone else?

Peer pressure is an amazing thing to me. You often hear stories of how it is used as a negative influence, especially among teens; how stupidity grows in numbers. While this may be true it’s nice to think about this power working in reverse. Last week while driving my son to school he was watching the movie his sister had picked out over the weekend. On picture day I didn’t want him to mess up his hair with the headphones so I set the audio to the speakers. I listened to the scene of “13 Going On 30″ (and I must point out there’s a bit of coincidence in that title and my daughter’s personality) where the party is bombing out and Jenna has the DJ put on “Thriller.” It was interesting to hear this part of the movie instead of being able to see it. You hear the first reactions of the crowd and can taste the unkind judgements going on around the room. Then I heard Matt’s initial protests of utter embarrassment as she desperately tries to lure him onto the floor to do the thriller dance moves with her. He puts up several protests but then everyone starts pushing him to join her. That extra push results in him joining her although he’s not really into it. But Jenna is totally unreserved, giving it her all and it’s contagious - almost as if she’s giving out individual permission slips for others to join in. It takes a few minutes but you hear the crowd move from quiet murmuring to encouragement to all out engagement in the activity and by the end of the song everyone is having fun doing the dance moves and the party is saved.

There’s a lesson in there, I’m sure of it. Maybe we all need to take a step back and look around us once and while - dig down into our own thoughts and care more about what we think of ourselves and the good we can do. Can you imagine the difference we could make if everyone took that challenge for just one day?

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Potential Inspiration Perspectives Blogging Deep Thoughts

I’m just returning from a meeting and all the way home I’m having an all too familiar conversation in my head. It’s where I review what I just experienced, how disappointed I am and what I would have done differently.

I seriously don’t know if I have way over the top expectations for everything in life or if there really is a growing increase of mediocrity in the world, but I find that I am continually disappointed nine times out of ten. Naturally, instead of going to bed I’m going to sit here and blog my feelings!

Let’s start at the top. When it comes to meetings, you need to make the meeting worth your people’s time. Here’s a few thoughts from my expectation and personal “how-to” book:

Streamline, maximize and throw every efficiency curve ball at your disposal. This means:

Start on time.

• If people know you’re waiting to start, then you’re teaching them to make you wait. Starting on time says I value my time and yours and I’m not wasting any of it.

Keep it short and simple.

• My dad always used the guideline of women’s skirt length for topics and talks: “Long enough to cover the subject yet short enough to be interesting.” Very redneck and crude but very easy to remember and always true! The average adult attention span maxes out at 45 minutes. No matter how fantastic your material is if you go over that mark your effectiveness is going to take a hit.

Clearly define your agenda.

• Remove frustrating mystery. Tell them exactly what to expect, what you will cover and what they will get out of it. The right start will do more to dissuade frustration and disappointment than every other tool at your disposal.

DO NOT under any circumstances read handout materials or slide information word for word.

• It’s an insult to the intelligence of those present when you waste their time reading what they can read for themselves. If you’re presenting your job is to do just that - you clearly and simply present your materials and leave the details and repeats of information for handouts and literature.

Look the part.

• If you’re spearheading a meeting or presentation you need to look the part. Professional appearance is an absolute must and the lack of it can be devastating.

Act the part.

• Speak clearly, without slang, with authority and conviction. I don’t care if you don’t know what you’re talking about as long as you make me believe you do. And if you don’t, it doesn’t matter what else you try.

Leave time to mingle.

• This is so critical and yet is so often overlooked. Chances are the people you’re meeting with have something to do with your success. If you make time to visit with them, get to know them, answers their questions and give them some one on one time you’ll do more to project your success than you can imagine. People respond well to learning that you’re a person too; that you are approachable. In my experience, leaving some time at the end of a meeting for this very purpose always brings more positive results than any other aspect of the meeting.

You only get one chance at a first impression. Suffice it to say that all of these elements were lacking in my experience tonight and thus my first impression wasn’t good. There were some moments that were so painful it took every ounce of self control I had to keep my backside in my seat. All I could do was shake my head and leave before the meeting was wrapped up. And you know what? I don’t feel one bit bad about that!

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As a continuing theme from last week (even though it’s a few years ago):

[blenza_autolink ww]

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Funnies Wordless Wednesday Family

Well, it’s the first day of the work week for me with yesterday as a holiday. It’s crazy how much can pile up in a short time. I’ve spent the morning getting caught up on e-mails and comments on my blog and I still have my blog subscriptions to get through. But I simply have to take a moment to share more of the love that was shared with me last week.

Mary - more commonly known by many bloggers as Mert of Almost Somewhat Positive - passed along this award last week:

For those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others.

Kailani - author of An Island Life - passed along this one just a few days before that:

This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.

These two blogging buddies are real gems to me. They have both been with me since the beginning of my blogging and both of them have added so much to my experience and daily life through their devoted reading of my blog and sharing daily life in their own blogs. It wouldn’t be the same place without either of them and both deserve the awards they’ve shared. So right back at ‘ya ladies!

I’m hoping very much to get some more of my blog rework done this week and address some other fun link love…now if I could just find Hermione’s time turner!

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Positive Impact Relationships Blogging