Summary: Well, I've done it again, posting late. But that doesn't mean I've stopped my crusade to find new words each week from a variety of sources—like today's: syzygy.
Holy syzygy! You mean it isn't Monday? Where has the time gone?
Actually, I know where my time was spent: I returned to my hometown over the weekend for some family events, and wound up staying longer than I'd planned. It may have shifted my schedule a little, but it was a conscious decision. I was easily lured into staying by my love of learning.
Don't get me wrong: Love for my family played a huge part, as well. But I confess it was the combination of the two that won me over.
My father, long a role model to me in a number of ways, decided last year at the age of 59 to return to school—seminary school, to be exact, to get his Masters in Divinity. (I'm sure he won't mind my sharing his age in this context!) I'm incredibly proud and amazed at him, as usual. And even more so am I proud this week, after watching him humble himself to learn in a new way a couple of days ago.
You see, he's taking a theology course that's been throwing him for a loop: Dad entered seminary based on his heart-felt beliefs, and intellectualizing his spiritual connections has felt unnatural to him this semester. He asked me to coach him over this little bump in the road by using the tools of my trade to connect his heart and mind (and bypass his brain challenges). I may post more about this in the future, if I get his permission. But for now, let me share the following:
You know I'm always looking for fun words I can share with you here (typically on MONDAYS). One word jumped out at me from Dad's dictionary of theological terms that just seemed—well, fun.
Syzygy (SIS - zi - JEE) - (n.) the nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies in a gravitational system, such as the sun, moon and earth during a lunar eclipse, for example; also the combining of parts to make a spiritual whole, such as Carl Jung's concept of animus and anima as soul parts or such as the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity. From the original Greek words syn, or together, and zygon for yoke, this word is just plain fun to spell and say!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Nov 9, 2010
Oct 11, 2010
WORD OF THE WEEK: Taciturn
Summary: For more discussion of WOW words in print (newsprint, that is), as well as online, keep reading below and follow the links ...
What a treat! Over the weekend, my husband called out from the kitchen table, where he was reading the morning paper, "Hey, what does taciturn mean?" And I had to pause.
"I think it's like shy," I said. But that didn't seem exactly right. Because I was in the middle of my morning yoga routine, I mentally bookmarked the word for further research later. And I smiled, because I knew I'd found my WOW Word of the Week.
As I rolled up my yoga mat, I asked the thought that had suddenly occurred to me: "Did you read that word in the newspaper?" I was incredulous at his positive response. "Our paper?" I asked again to be sure. It was true. Our little, local paper was teaching us both words. The article was an A.P. piece, meaning it was written by a member of the Associated Press and distributed nationally to all American newspapers. I'm a fan.
Here's what I learned when I finally looked up the WOW word in question:
Taciturn (TA - si - TURN) - (adv.) Temperamentally disinclined to talk; tight-lipped; stubbornly quiet. From the Latin tacitus, this word was introduced to English in approximately 1735.
In case you missed my post a couple of weeks ago about The Baltimore Sun's controversial use of a WOW word in a headline, you can read it here. And to continue expanding your vocabulary daily, visit one of my favorite blogs: A Walk in the WoRds.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
What a treat! Over the weekend, my husband called out from the kitchen table, where he was reading the morning paper, "Hey, what does taciturn mean?" And I had to pause.
"I think it's like shy," I said. But that didn't seem exactly right. Because I was in the middle of my morning yoga routine, I mentally bookmarked the word for further research later. And I smiled, because I knew I'd found my WOW Word of the Week.
As I rolled up my yoga mat, I asked the thought that had suddenly occurred to me: "Did you read that word in the newspaper?" I was incredulous at his positive response. "Our paper?" I asked again to be sure. It was true. Our little, local paper was teaching us both words. The article was an A.P. piece, meaning it was written by a member of the Associated Press and distributed nationally to all American newspapers. I'm a fan.
Here's what I learned when I finally looked up the WOW word in question:
Taciturn (TA - si - TURN) - (adv.) Temperamentally disinclined to talk; tight-lipped; stubbornly quiet. From the Latin tacitus, this word was introduced to English in approximately 1735.
In case you missed my post a couple of weeks ago about The Baltimore Sun's controversial use of a WOW word in a headline, you can read it here. And to continue expanding your vocabulary daily, visit one of my favorite blogs: A Walk in the WoRds.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Jul 29, 2010
Better Communication Through Energy Medicine
A couple of weeks ago, I did a guest blogger stint for my friend and colleague, Rose Mattax. Rose is a fellow blogger on Blogspot, whose "The Eden Project" blog is all about self-improvement at its deepest core. As a certified energy healer, she has a unique perspective on this.
I give my own unique perspective--and details of my personal journey using energy therapy--in this special blog post titled "Energy Tools for Self-Honesty." Enjoy!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
I give my own unique perspective--and details of my personal journey using energy therapy--in this special blog post titled "Energy Tools for Self-Honesty." Enjoy!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Jul 17, 2010
Self-Awareness and ADHD
Summary: What's it like to live with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? In this post, we explore some of the strengths and some of the challenges of life with this particular brain type.
ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder--also known simply as ADD for Attention Deficit Disorder) can be difficult to live with. If you or someone you love has it, life can sometimes seem "unfair."
Life with a challenged brain is simply known to those living with the challenge(s) as "life." If it weren't for certain social expectations, such as punctuality, goal-setting and achievement, organization and career advancement, ADD people would probably live life without any sense of being "different." However, if you live with ADHD, you know that such expectations have a tendency to pressure you (and your fellow ADD sufferers) sometimes almost unreasonably.
Here are some quotes by people who've learned to manage their Attention Deficit Disorders:
* "Losing my keys and going crazy trying to find them used to be a daily occurrence." - Tara McGillicudy of My ADD / ADHD Blog
* "Some of us ADHD adults (like myself) self-medicate with information. I love learning about new things and ideas: Quite stimulating and a great way to boost dopamine, the neurotransmitter that does many things, but helps us focus and is the reward chemical among other things. ADDers have lower levels of dopamine, so we do positive and negative things to help increase it." - Pete Quily of Adult ADD Strengths
* "Lately, my ADD wife (who is now all too familiar with some of the impact her ADD is having in her social relationships), is beginning to share her feelings of overwhelm and low self-esteem with me. Things like 'I just have SO many things to work on and I can't be working on these things all the time!' and 'I can't believe anybody even likes me, because I am so bad in conversations.'" - Reader of Melissa Orlov and Dr. Ned Hallowell's ADHD and Marriage
It's apparent from these comments by ADD-affected people--some of whom are professional experts in managing ADD brain challenges--that those with ADHD diagnoses are all too painfully aware of their social differences. But as Pete Quily and some others note, these differences can also be strengths. Here is a snippet taken from his "151 Positive Characteristics of People with Attention Deficit Disorder":
Adaptive - Can see the big picture - Comfortable with change and chaos - Constantly evolving - Creates connections easily - Detail-oriented - Energetic - Good in emergency situations - Great storyteller - Likes learning new things - Lots of interests - Multitasks well - Outgoing - Passionate - Playful - Spontaneous - Takes initiative - Tenacious - Willing to help others
Does this describe you or your ADD loved one? Self-awareness means recognizing your limitations as well as your strengths. When you can see the two areas together, you have a clearer, more realistic picture of yourself as a whole. And, like reading a map, you can move forward from there.
In the next post, we'll look at the differences between the three different ADD-specific diagnoses. 'Til then, you may enjoy reading my article on How to Meditate with ADD.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder--also known simply as ADD for Attention Deficit Disorder) can be difficult to live with. If you or someone you love has it, life can sometimes seem "unfair."
Life with a challenged brain is simply known to those living with the challenge(s) as "life." If it weren't for certain social expectations, such as punctuality, goal-setting and achievement, organization and career advancement, ADD people would probably live life without any sense of being "different." However, if you live with ADHD, you know that such expectations have a tendency to pressure you (and your fellow ADD sufferers) sometimes almost unreasonably.
Here are some quotes by people who've learned to manage their Attention Deficit Disorders:
* "Losing my keys and going crazy trying to find them used to be a daily occurrence." - Tara McGillicudy of My ADD / ADHD Blog
* "Some of us ADHD adults (like myself) self-medicate with information. I love learning about new things and ideas: Quite stimulating and a great way to boost dopamine, the neurotransmitter that does many things, but helps us focus and is the reward chemical among other things. ADDers have lower levels of dopamine, so we do positive and negative things to help increase it." - Pete Quily of Adult ADD Strengths
* "Lately, my ADD wife (who is now all too familiar with some of the impact her ADD is having in her social relationships), is beginning to share her feelings of overwhelm and low self-esteem with me. Things like 'I just have SO many things to work on and I can't be working on these things all the time!' and 'I can't believe anybody even likes me, because I am so bad in conversations.'" - Reader of Melissa Orlov and Dr. Ned Hallowell's ADHD and Marriage
It's apparent from these comments by ADD-affected people--some of whom are professional experts in managing ADD brain challenges--that those with ADHD diagnoses are all too painfully aware of their social differences. But as Pete Quily and some others note, these differences can also be strengths. Here is a snippet taken from his "151 Positive Characteristics of People with Attention Deficit Disorder":
Adaptive - Can see the big picture - Comfortable with change and chaos - Constantly evolving - Creates connections easily - Detail-oriented - Energetic - Good in emergency situations - Great storyteller - Likes learning new things - Lots of interests - Multitasks well - Outgoing - Passionate - Playful - Spontaneous - Takes initiative - Tenacious - Willing to help others
Does this describe you or your ADD loved one? Self-awareness means recognizing your limitations as well as your strengths. When you can see the two areas together, you have a clearer, more realistic picture of yourself as a whole. And, like reading a map, you can move forward from there.
In the next post, we'll look at the differences between the three different ADD-specific diagnoses. 'Til then, you may enjoy reading my article on How to Meditate with ADD.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Apr 8, 2010
The Connection Between Fear & Writer's Block (Link)
Today's quick post provides the link to one of my favorite websites, copyblogger. This blogger's resource has tips on everything you can think of—and their solutions aren't just limited to the blog world. The link below is the perfect example, because its advice on overcoming writer's block (and overcoming fear—in all its various forms) can be applied to any writing project. Check it out!
www.copyblogger.com/writers-block/
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
www.copyblogger.com/writers-block/
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Mar 19, 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
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
Mar 5, 2010
WEEKLY UPDATE: Readers' Delight
Summary: How did you celebrate yesterday's National Grammar Day? What about World Book Day, also yesterday? (I worked!)
How did you celebrate National Grammar Day and/or World Book Day? (Both were yesterday.) Did you read? Write? Read a book to a child? Surf online? In my opinion, that last one counts if you actually read or wrote articles of any significant length or merit. Sure, what qualifies as "significant" is debatable—but I'm sure we can all agree that this blog has value. Right?
Personally, I spent my day pretty much the same way I do every week day: Answering client calls, coaching individuals, working online and taking care of domestic duties. Ho-hum, huh?
Think again! What I do every day is in perfect alignment with these magnificent holidays. My clients have questions for me like, "What kinds of questions should I be prepared for in my upcoming job interview?" and "How do I start an appropriate online dialogue with my colleagues?" We're talking language questions here. And you'd better believe I emphasize good grammar! Of course, reading is a part of my every day—even if the bulk of it is frequently done online. There are a number of other really wonderful blogs (see the blogs I follow, listed to the left on my blog's home page) that teach so much about grammar and word usage. Reading them makes you a better reader!
If you celebrated obliviously, it still counts: How did words play a part in your day?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
How did you celebrate National Grammar Day and/or World Book Day? (Both were yesterday.) Did you read? Write? Read a book to a child? Surf online? In my opinion, that last one counts if you actually read or wrote articles of any significant length or merit. Sure, what qualifies as "significant" is debatable—but I'm sure we can all agree that this blog has value. Right?
Personally, I spent my day pretty much the same way I do every week day: Answering client calls, coaching individuals, working online and taking care of domestic duties. Ho-hum, huh?
Think again! What I do every day is in perfect alignment with these magnificent holidays. My clients have questions for me like, "What kinds of questions should I be prepared for in my upcoming job interview?" and "How do I start an appropriate online dialogue with my colleagues?" We're talking language questions here. And you'd better believe I emphasize good grammar! Of course, reading is a part of my every day—even if the bulk of it is frequently done online. There are a number of other really wonderful blogs (see the blogs I follow, listed to the left on my blog's home page) that teach so much about grammar and word usage. Reading them makes you a better reader!
If you celebrated obliviously, it still counts: How did words play a part in your day?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Jan 11, 2010
WORD OF THE WEEK: A Decade of Leetspeak?
Summary: Leetspeak gives a whole new meaning to linguistic elitism. If you're unfamiliar with the phrase, you have a lot of learning to do! It's not too late to catch up, so read on ....
Leetspeak (also known as l33t5p34k by its own 'alphabet') isn't new. It's been around in various forms since the 1980s, but has grown in popularity progressively to today, when it's proliferated language—and easily, too, since so much of our conversation is done electronically now. It's pronounced just like it looks: (LEET - speek). Contemporary online and urban dictionaries include the term and its special language as common practice.
If you're under 25, you probably already know the definition of leetspeak. But if you're not under 25, you may be surprised to learn that you already know and use leet (its shorthand name) relatively regularly.
Here's a brief list of leet lingo and definitions to help you out:
l8tr – goodbye (as in, "see you later")
n00b – newbie, someone who's inexperienced or new to the activity at hand
pwn – to own, to rule or to best another
w00t – hooray
Its etymology comes from the world of hackers, and it's an abbreviation for elite—as in the select few who understand the code. As you've likely determined, it often combines alpha and numeric keys to create a type of sub-language.
In addition to text messaging, this language is still used commonly in online gaming communities, where it can be quite advanced, utilizing entire sentence strings that look so similar to code that I couldn't successfully cut and paste them here to show you examples: They tricked my blog-posting program into thinking I was inserting unrecognizable HTML commands!
Unfortunately, I don't have a link for a leetspeak dictionary to share with you, because I couldn't find any that didn't include offensive language. However, I do have an interesting article link from well-known word-lover Mark Peters (my fellow blogger on Blogspot's Wordlustitude), titled "The Decade in Words" to really get you thinking this week.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Leetspeak (also known as l33t5p34k by its own 'alphabet') isn't new. It's been around in various forms since the 1980s, but has grown in popularity progressively to today, when it's proliferated language—and easily, too, since so much of our conversation is done electronically now. It's pronounced just like it looks: (LEET - speek). Contemporary online and urban dictionaries include the term and its special language as common practice.
If you're under 25, you probably already know the definition of leetspeak. But if you're not under 25, you may be surprised to learn that you already know and use leet (its shorthand name) relatively regularly.
Here's a brief list of leet lingo and definitions to help you out:
l8tr – goodbye (as in, "see you later")
n00b – newbie, someone who's inexperienced or new to the activity at hand
pwn – to own, to rule or to best another
w00t – hooray
Its etymology comes from the world of hackers, and it's an abbreviation for elite—as in the select few who understand the code. As you've likely determined, it often combines alpha and numeric keys to create a type of sub-language.
In addition to text messaging, this language is still used commonly in online gaming communities, where it can be quite advanced, utilizing entire sentence strings that look so similar to code that I couldn't successfully cut and paste them here to show you examples: They tricked my blog-posting program into thinking I was inserting unrecognizable HTML commands!
Unfortunately, I don't have a link for a leetspeak dictionary to share with you, because I couldn't find any that didn't include offensive language. However, I do have an interesting article link from well-known word-lover Mark Peters (my fellow blogger on Blogspot's Wordlustitude), titled "The Decade in Words" to really get you thinking this week.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Nov 11, 2009
TRULY SPEAKING: And Now for Something Completely Different (the Art of the Segue)
Summary: My colleague Tim Wilson has a great recent post to his Public Speaking Library blog about handling the unexpected with a smooth segue into your intended idea. This works not just at public presentations, but also in private conversations.
My colleague Tim Wilson writes a blog (The Public Speaking Library) for—who else?—public speakers. Whether you're a professional presenter by trade, a teacher with class or simply someone who delivers the occasional industry workshop, office pitch or random wedding toast, Tim has tips that can help YOU.
Written in bite-sized nuggets for easy digestion, his blog posts offer all sorts of advice that refreshes almost daily. You can search the blog for info. that's relevant to what you're facing.
One recent post is titled, "Handling the Unexpected." While it's geared toward those addressing a crowd, the fact is that Tim's suggestion are pertinent to people in a variety of situations, from one-on-one conversations (especially with a staff member or trainee) to difficult settings of mediation. In each of these times, a remarkable way to make a point is to put it in the form of a question—for example, "How do YOU think we should resolve the problem?"
Here's what Tim says about the subject:
"When you're asking ... a question in order to find a certain answer, sometimes someone says something that doesn't fit into your presentation. When this happens, the first thing you need to do is give the person credit for saying something. The next thing is to work on moving from their point to the point that you are looking for. One way to do this is to use the 'yes and' method. Once someone says something off of your topic, say something like, 'Yes, that is definitely one answer to the problem. And another thing to think about is ...,' then mention the point you wanted the person to bring up."
For more intimate circumstances—especially those where you're looking to teach another person (or a group of people), but want them to reach the same conclusions that you have on their own—it's vital to truly listen to the other's (or others') responses. Pay attention to their input, and see if you can weave it into the output that you're seeking (i.e., "I hear what you're saying about teamwork; I wonder if we could work as a team in this way ...").
Coming to a group consensus is important in conflict resolution, as well as audience participation. Using a well-crafted segue (see the definition below) can take you there—together.
Segue (SEG - way) - (v.) to proceed to what follows without a pause; to make a transition without interruption from one activity, topic, scene or part to another (as in, "She segued smoothly into the next story"); (n.) the act or instance of segueing; a transition to the next idea, etc.
And speaking of segues (how's that for a clumsy one?!), I've only gotten one response to the potential connection between the words conjugation and conjugal. So, keep looking for their correlation, friends!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
My colleague Tim Wilson writes a blog (The Public Speaking Library) for—who else?—public speakers. Whether you're a professional presenter by trade, a teacher with class or simply someone who delivers the occasional industry workshop, office pitch or random wedding toast, Tim has tips that can help YOU.
Written in bite-sized nuggets for easy digestion, his blog posts offer all sorts of advice that refreshes almost daily. You can search the blog for info. that's relevant to what you're facing.
One recent post is titled, "Handling the Unexpected." While it's geared toward those addressing a crowd, the fact is that Tim's suggestion are pertinent to people in a variety of situations, from one-on-one conversations (especially with a staff member or trainee) to difficult settings of mediation. In each of these times, a remarkable way to make a point is to put it in the form of a question—for example, "How do YOU think we should resolve the problem?"
Here's what Tim says about the subject:
"When you're asking ... a question in order to find a certain answer, sometimes someone says something that doesn't fit into your presentation. When this happens, the first thing you need to do is give the person credit for saying something. The next thing is to work on moving from their point to the point that you are looking for. One way to do this is to use the 'yes and' method. Once someone says something off of your topic, say something like, 'Yes, that is definitely one answer to the problem. And another thing to think about is ...,' then mention the point you wanted the person to bring up."
For more intimate circumstances—especially those where you're looking to teach another person (or a group of people), but want them to reach the same conclusions that you have on their own—it's vital to truly listen to the other's (or others') responses. Pay attention to their input, and see if you can weave it into the output that you're seeking (i.e., "I hear what you're saying about teamwork; I wonder if we could work as a team in this way ...").
Coming to a group consensus is important in conflict resolution, as well as audience participation. Using a well-crafted segue (see the definition below) can take you there—together.
Segue (SEG - way) - (v.) to proceed to what follows without a pause; to make a transition without interruption from one activity, topic, scene or part to another (as in, "She segued smoothly into the next story"); (n.) the act or instance of segueing; a transition to the next idea, etc.
And speaking of segues (how's that for a clumsy one?!), I've only gotten one response to the potential connection between the words conjugation and conjugal. So, keep looking for their correlation, friends!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 17, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: What's New for July
Those of you paying attention may have noticed that there was no post on Wednesday of this week. That’s because the Beyond Talk blog is on a pseudo-sabbatical for the remainder of July.
Here’s what’s in the works:
• “Speak Your Truth” e-course—How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean (downloadable 5-week course includes a students-only Facebook Group where you can practice everything you learn in practical application)
• Expert articles and how-to videos that teach even more tips and tricks to speaking successfully
• Real-world teleconferences and lectures featuring Communications Coach Kealah Parkinson. (Hey, that’s me!)
Words of the Week will continue to posted each Monday during this hiatus-of-sorts. And your comments are always welcome! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you as I strive to make our world a friendlier place that’s easier to understand.
Truly speaking beyond talk,
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Here’s what’s in the works:
• “Speak Your Truth” e-course—How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean (downloadable 5-week course includes a students-only Facebook Group where you can practice everything you learn in practical application)
• Expert articles and how-to videos that teach even more tips and tricks to speaking successfully
• Real-world teleconferences and lectures featuring Communications Coach Kealah Parkinson. (Hey, that’s me!)
Words of the Week will continue to posted each Monday during this hiatus-of-sorts. And your comments are always welcome! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you as I strive to make our world a friendlier place that’s easier to understand.
Truly speaking beyond talk,
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jun 5, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: Upcoming Guest Blogger Barbara J. Henry
Recently, I introduced you to a fellow blogger, author, and communications coach named Barbara J. Henry. And I told you that Barbara would be guest blogging on this site soon. That's still true! Although it didn't work out for the last week of May as we'd originally intended, Barbara and I are gearing up to guest blog, each at the other's site, in a couple of weeks.
I think you'll really like Barbara's style and perspective. Read her entry on Faith here to see for yourself!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
I think you'll really like Barbara's style and perspective. Read her entry on Faith here to see for yourself!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
May 15, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: Tweet me, friends! (or 3 Tips to Better Communication via Social Networking)
My friend Roger wants a place where he can write freely—a place where he can voice his thoughts uncensored, just like on his Facebook page (where only a select handful of us have made the “friend” cut to share in the dialogue). If blogging or blog commenting doesn’t hold enough of a two-way appeal for you, consider the more informal options of social networking sites.
Tweeting on Twitter and leaving messages on your Facebook friends’ walls is just one way to effectively practice and improve the way you write and speak. Here’s how:
1. Re-Read Your Posts. Pay attention to the updates & replies that you post. Do friends & followers often respond with corrections to your grammar or punctuation? Do you notice mistakes in these areas? Make a personal list of the areas you need to improve. (Hint: If you write conversationally, you’ll have the same mistakes in print as you do speaking in person!)
2. Play with Your Replies. Change your status updates & your replies—especially on friendly Facebook—by rewording what you’ve already written. Re-Tweet as needed: People will comment on your multi-posts, providing you with valuable feedback that informs the way you write & speak.
3. Find Me! Follow me on Twitter (as KealahParkinson—I just joined today!) & become my fan on Facebook (as Kealah Parkinson-KiKi Productions). I’ll continue to offer tweet tips & friendly info. that’s customized to your needs if you share in the dialogue now.
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Tweeting on Twitter and leaving messages on your Facebook friends’ walls is just one way to effectively practice and improve the way you write and speak. Here’s how:
1. Re-Read Your Posts. Pay attention to the updates & replies that you post. Do friends & followers often respond with corrections to your grammar or punctuation? Do you notice mistakes in these areas? Make a personal list of the areas you need to improve. (Hint: If you write conversationally, you’ll have the same mistakes in print as you do speaking in person!)
2. Play with Your Replies. Change your status updates & your replies—especially on friendly Facebook—by rewording what you’ve already written. Re-Tweet as needed: People will comment on your multi-posts, providing you with valuable feedback that informs the way you write & speak.
3. Find Me! Follow me on Twitter (as KealahParkinson—I just joined today!) & become my fan on Facebook (as Kealah Parkinson-KiKi Productions). I’ll continue to offer tweet tips & friendly info. that’s customized to your needs if you share in the dialogue now.
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Apr 28, 2009
Blogger Buzz: We want to hear from you!
Hey, bloggers! If you use Blogger or Blogspot, you'll want to check out this new link to their feedback forum that was just released yesterday. It allows you to submit and vote on new features, gadgets, and even Blogs of Note. The forum is open for a limited time, and will close on Friday, May 14, so don't miss this prime open sourcing opportunity to be heard! Click the link below to connect. And don't forget to communicate with me as to whether or not this was helpful to you ....
Blogger Buzz: We want to hear from you!
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