CentreO Blog

Being in your comfort zone is bliss. You know you are good, you know you will not fail, you feel calm and relaxed.

But as soon as you make a small step outside, fear and panic set in. Numerous “what if” questions pop in your head.

We all have different “tender zones”, but I think for quite a bit of us – public speaking is the one that makes us feel every heart beat.

I still remember my own first presentation. I remember making a list of things in my head that could go wrong, being afraid of moving left or right and basically being glued to the stop. I have no idea how it all would have gone, if I hadn’t tripped on my laptop cord. Yes, that’s the first thing I did when I entered the conference room and it saved my presentation. Some people laughed, some tried to help me. But it lightened the mood and I realized that the “worst thing” I kept imagining has already happened. I made a mistake. And it was ok.

It did not ruin anything. My presentation was a success, and since I let go of my fears and doubts, I was able to laugh, gesture, answer audience’s questions and actually make a few friends.

My fear of public speaking never left. It is there every time I walk on to the stage. But now, instead of destroying me, it gives me energy. And when you have to present on a daily basis – you do need energy.

Ever since my first presentation, I have developed my own little public speaking success tip. Before every big step out of your comfort zone – do something stupid. Make a mistake. Feel embarrassed, silly and unprofessional…and let it go.

 

The 11 Laws of Likeability is a guide to effective networking, especially for those promoting their own business.

The book encourages us to look at networking from a different angle and focus on building long-term relationships and friendships, rather than focusing on immediate goals.

The book features activities, self-assessment quizzes, stories from professional and social settings and helps the readers identify what is likeable in themselves and create honest, authentic relationships.

Readers will learn how to:

• Start conversations and keep them going with ease
• Convert acquaintances into friends
• Uncover people’s preferences and tweak their own personal style to enable engaging, reciprocal interactions
• Create follow-up and stay in others’ minds long after the initial meeting.

The book is a great guide to genuine and sincere communication and teaches us to avoid coming across as manipulative or self-serving.

If you are considering starting your own business, this may well be a must-read.

The book is a source of inspiration for every aspiring businessman and can give you useful tips on getting your ideas organized for a real action plan.

One of the most interesting parts of the book, talks about the “Dreaming Room” as a space for developing your business ideas. According to Michael, imagination is one of the most important things in developing the entrepreneurial spirit and setting yourself on the road of making your ideas come true.

 

 

 

 

1. If plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 26 more letters. Stay calm. Stay creative.
2. Do something today that your future self will be thankful for.
3. Even the biggest failure beats the hell out of never trying.
4. Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.
5. There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of hard work, preparation and learning from failure.
6. Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.
7. Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.
8. Failure of the condiment that gives success its flavour.
9. If you are not failing, you are not growing.
10. Go on failing. Go on. Only next time, try to fail better.