Poll Results: Do You Have a Challenged Brain?

Summary: The latest poll question has been answered and closed. You shared openly and honestly about your brain challenges. Now let's explore more together, over the coming weeks, about the communications challenges they present you and how you can grow to overcome them.

I've already asked if you have a challenged brain. Many of us do--most certainly when we're worked up emotionally. But other challenges can pressure our brains, our bodies, our outlook on life. Some examples you know are:

- Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD or ADHD (for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Commonly diagnosed in children, this brain challenge can also affect adults, especially those who have had it since childhood. It's commonly characterized by difficulty focusing or paying close attention to one subject at a time; simple mistakes in tasks or homework that are made even when the person knows the right answer or the correct way of performing tasks; chronic disorganization and forgetfulness. (Tara McGillicuddy, a blogger who not only coaches people with ADHD, but also has it herself, just posted about a workshop she'll be presenting this fall on self-advocacy strategies for adults and teens.)

- Mood disorders: These run the gamut from short-term and seasonal depression to Type I Bipolar Disorder, which can contain periodic hallucinations and psychosis. Substance-induced mood disorders can mirror other such brain challenges, but are only brought on by the intake of substances like drugs and alcohol and/or their withdrawal from the body/brain. (Some mood-related blogs I recommend are Julie Fast's "Bipolar Happens," "My Son Has 2 Brains"--a mother's perspective on raising a young child with a mood disorder--and Helia's health blog about Seasonal Affective Disorder.)

- Autism: A brain challenge that may or may not involve brain chemistry, but definitely involves the size and shape of the brain and its hemispheres, autism--like most brain challenges--appears on a sliding scale, or spectrum. People with High Functioning Autism and Aspgerger Syndrome have the ability to socialize, but are often somewhat confused by the hidden 'rules' of social life and society. This confusion becomes increasingly deeper the further you go into the autism spectrum; those with full-blown autism frequently seem to live inside their own heads, rarely communicating verbally with others, except via sound bites they may have taken from TV shows, music and movies. (From a parent's perspective, "The Joy of Autism" is an interesting blog; from that of someone with an autistic brain, visit "Aspitude!")

Of those who voted, only one reader indicated, "My brain is only challenged whenever I am emotional," meaning that several of you with additional challenges were interested in this poll.

What didn't I include in the poll? Psychiatric and personality disorders like schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder, Oppositional/Defiant Disorder and Histrionic Personality Disorder are just a few. I could also have listed other learning disorders or challenges that affect the senses like deafness or blindness. (Incidentally, the blogger at "Aspitude!", Elisia Ashkenazy, is also profoundly deaf.)

All brain challenges can be 'overcome' through hard work and a desire to grow. The first step is recognition. Over the coming weeks, let's look at some specific challenges to communicating clearly that these and other brain challenges give you. More importantly, let's solve some challenges--together!


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Kealah's Personal Update

You may have noticed that Beyond Talk looks a little different ... again. Here's a run-down of some of the changes that have been made to the blog recently:

- Speak your truth! Participate in the poll. You checked out the last poll--"What stops your from speaking your truth?"--and the tallied votes showed that fear is the number one emotion that holds you back. So, now I'm asking you, "How do you overcome your fear?" Don't be afraid to speak up and share! You can find the old poll--and all closed polls to come in the future--located at the very bottom of the blog site's left-hand column.

- Book me on GigSalad.com! Looking for a speaker or entertainer for your next meeting or event? The button added to the very top of this blog page takes you directly to my profile on that great clearinghouse for professional speakers, emcees, bands and other entertainers for your party, event, corporate meeting or--in my case--workshop. I'm available for panel discussions, lectures and various workshops, such as lunch-and-learn occasions. (Of course, you can always contact me directly via my website, but GigSalad.com gives you a great selection to choose from. Choose wisely!)

- Groooooow: I'm also on SelfGrowth.com, a fantastic resource for all things personal-growth-related. Click the banner link on the left-hand side of the page, just under my Twitter and Facebook links (and right above my blogroll list of all the awesome blogs I recommend for YOU)! Let's grow together.

Have a great weekend.


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

New Poll: How Do You Overcome Fear?

Summary: In my new blog poll (located in the left-hand column of the web page), I ask you to share just how you overcome fear. If you can't answer that question, what's holding you back?

The new burning question on the Beyond Talk blog is "How do you overcome fear?"

We've been learning about ways to do this for weeks now (years really, if you search the blog archive in the left-hand column). But I'm not interested in hearing what we've learned together. I'm interested in hearing what works for you. How do you, personally, overcome your own fears? Even if the answer is something that we have covered here, I want to know: What do you do when fear trips you up and threatens your ability to communicate clearly, either to yourself or to others?

You can take the poll (also located in the left-hand side of the page near the top). And you can also respond in the comments section to this blog post. If you're a Facebook fan and you're reading this in my Facebook Notes, you can comment there. And if we're connected on LinkedIn, feel free to drop me a message with your answers!

Share your strength with the world today. ... C'mon, don't be chicken!

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Fear is Pernicious! Put it in its Place

Summary: Building off of this week's vocabulary word, pernicious, we take a look at the emotion you voted as top on your list in blocking your ability to speak clearly. Today's post kicks off a series on fear and how to overcome it.

Fear is pernicious. It can stop you from doing the things you love and can keep you from moving forward. RyanS recently wrote to say that fear often keeps him from growing in romantic relationships. How does fear hold you back?

In Beyond Talk's poll, "What Stops You From Speaking Your Truth?" you rated fear as the number one emotion that holds you back from saying what you mean. (Sadness was number two, followed by anger, excitement and "other.") And how can you get what you want out of life if you can't really speak your own personal truth? How can you go for your dreams if you can't be honest with yourself about what they are?

Here are some ways to recognize your fears, so they don't turn into phobias:

(1) Know what fear feels like. All emotions manifest themselves physically, so pay attention to what your body feels like when you realize you're afraid. Most people experience some combination of shallow breathing, rapid heart rhythm and a tightening in the stomach. A numbness in the extremities, especially the hands, is also common.

(2) Note what's causing the physical fear. Often, it's easier to recognize the physical sensations of your emotions than it is to name their underlying purpose. But give it a try—even if it's scary. Think about where you are when such feelings arise; then note who is around you (they may be related to the fearfulness) and, if possible, why you think the frightening feelings have stricken you.

(3) Keep practicing. The more frequently you do steps 1 and 2 above, the easier it will eventually become to recognize fear right as it's starting. When you have the ability to know your fear as (or before!) it arises, you are empowered to stop it in its tracks.

We'll look more deeply into some of the root causes of fear, how it affects our lives (both for better and for worse) and how we can change it as our series continues. What does fear do to YOU?

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WEEKLY UPDATE: Beyond Talk Grows Again

Summary: Some changes are in the works for Beyond Talk. Take this opportunity to share what would help you most in the posts to come ....

It's time for changes again at the Beyond Talk blog. Some will be subtle; all will be helpful (I hope). Your feedback is the best gauge to determine just how helpful—or unhelpful—any changes are. So, speak up! Practice sharing by pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone if necessary.

(Speaking of comfort zones, that reminds me: Next week we'll begin a series of posts about writer's block and how to overcome it. So, if you have any tips to share that work for you, don't hold back about those, either!)

The biggest change to note is that these "Weekly Updates" will be disappearing ... at least officially. You'll still get updates from me on a regular basis about new additions to the look and feel and body of the blog, but I can't promise that they'll always come on Fridays. What I can promise is that you will stay informed—and that every post will have pertinent info. on communication, whether it's the way this blog speaks to you or the way you can communicate with the world around you. Some older blog posts might be disappearing from the archives, also. But all this will be replaced with a new section (either in post format or in a call-out box) that introduces the purpose of this blog and lists some resources.

I'm also looking into adding an area where YOU can include resources. In the meantime, feel free to include them with your comments underneath any post. I'll compile them all in an easy-to-find format in the future.

Let me take this time to remind you, too, that the poll on the left-hand column of the blog is open for a couple more weeks to come—13 days, precisely. A few of you have voted. And, so far, the results are unanimous: ALL emotions trip you up when you want to concentrate! If there's one that gets you more than the others (one you'd like a little more direction with), be sure to cast your vote today. Speak your truth and be heard!

Finally, I want to thank M. Gail Upchurch, one of my Facebook fans, for the great suggestion on what to write about next. Writer's block it is!

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WEEKLY UPDATE: Communications Articles (& Other Resources)

Summary: Happy about posting my very first online article, I've gathered some others you're sure to find helpful. Can you help me test my poll in return?

Happy Friday! Together, we've made it almost to the weekend. Despite the bleak, Chicagoland weather that's forecast for the next few days, I'm extra happy: I'm so excited to have finally posted my very first article on the web! It's been a goal for some time now that I'm proud to have accomplished. (Don't worry: You'll still be the first to know about any new ones I put out there in the ether.)

With articles on the brain, I came across a whole cache of communications-related topics today—and just had to share them with you.

MindTools is a U.K.-based coaching corporation that, like me, offers one-to-one coaching in addition to various resources. They address a variety of categories (including some that we share: leadership skills, problem solving, decision making and career skills), in addition to communication skills. Click here to read their many articles on communicating.

And if you find this helpful, take a risk and communicate with me! I finally fixed the poll problem I was experiencing in the past (I hope) and am waiting with baited breath to hear from YOU about what emotions often get in your way when you want to speak clearly.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: A Sesquipedalian Night

Summary: Tonight's post comes late, but is worth the wait. Add sesquipedalian to your lengthy vocabulary this week!

Good evening! Or should I say good night? Yes, it is LATE. And, no, I did not forget about tonight's blog post. I've had a very busy day—much of it spent away from my computer. (How odd!) And it's so nice to sit down in my pajamas and finally plunk out to you the word and definition I've been eager to share all day long.

It's a word that describes you (if you, in fact, use these Monday posts the way they're meant: to boost your vocabulary).

Sesquipedalian (SES - kwi - pih - DAY - lee - en) - (adj.) one who uses big words, or possesses a large vocabulary; also a word or words with many syllables.

From the original Latin, this word literally means "a foot-and-a-half long." Is your vocabulary over a foot long yet? What big words do you like to show off when you communicate?

P.S. - Special thanks to Rose who recently e-mailed me to point out a glitch in my blog poll. I will be working to correct this shortly.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WEEKLY UPDATE: Take the Poll! What Stops You from Speaking YOUR Truth?

Summary: How do you handle stress? What's your biggest communication stumbling block? They're likely the same thing. Take the poll to the left (under "Polls") and I'll tell you next week how both are related to the way you speak to yourself in your head (self-talk).

So, you just wrapped up a work project that you put a lot of hard work, time and attention into, and now you're looking forward to a little pat on the back from your boss and co-workers—or at least a little recognition. And when it doesn't come ... you SNAP.

Whether that means you verbally snap at your assistant or you sit down at your desk and sob so audibly that people can hear you through the door and down the hall, the fact is you've met your threshold for stress. And you need to get to the other side of that threshold in one piece with your dignity—and your job—intact.

This is not an easy process. In fact there are probably as many steps (and a lot more time and attention) to this as there were in that work project that got you here to begin with. But it's worth it. The question now is: What's the first step?

You may have noticed a shiny new widget in the left-hand column of this blog page: The poll section. One reader (okay, I confess: the blog writer) has already admitted how she handles stress, or what her quickest emotional response to stress frequently is. What's your most common emotional response when life isn't going your way? That same emotion is more often than not the issue that's most likely to keep you from communicating well in trying times.

Do you want to learn how to say what you mean—even under stress—so that you can get what you want out of life? Answer the poll to the left, and tell me if you're like me (quick to anger) or how we're different. Next week, I'll tell you what this says about the way you speak to yourself! (Oh, and if you aren't a member of Blogger, but still want to participate, just post a comment here. Remember, comments are open to everyone!)

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010