Just Do IT!

Did you just picture a Nike commercial when you read the title of this month’s blog? Did you ask yourself “do what”?

What is "IT"? Although this sounds like a jeopardy question, it can be a question that may change your life. And only you know what “IT” is.

In December, I was honored to be interviewed about my business on a television show for a community cable channel. While the camera man was setting up the lights and camera, I couldn’t help but think how cool this would be to do this all the time. “Who can I talk to about getting my own TV show?” I asked the question before I had a chance to think about the possible responses. It turned out that the camera man was the same person who creates the shows for the station. “Me, what type of show do you want to do?” he asked.

I could have said I would get back to him when I had an idea, but this was my chance.  Just Do IT! I told him I wanted my own interview show, but was unclear in what direction I wanted my show to go. He told me to get back to him with a proposal. I had to submit a proposal, including the name and logo.  Six months later my show Empowering Women aired.

A year ago, I would have never imagined that I would be hosting as well as producing a TV show. In the moment, I jumped in without looking back. It paid off, as of this blog, I have been the host and producer of four episodes so far. The feedback has all been positive!

What are you holding back on? Sometimes you need to Just Do IT and see what happens. “What if I fail?” You may ask yourself this question. What if you don’t fail? What if you never Do IT and always wonder what could or would have been. “Just Do IT”. You may be surprised at the outcome.


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/

Your Body Speaks - Part 2 Touching & Space

When I say nonverbal communication, what comes to mind?  Hand gestures, eye contact, body movement or facial expressions?  These are all forms of nonverbal communication.  Often people forget about two other aspects of nonverbal communication:  touching and space.

Touching is a form on nonverbal communication that involves physical contact with another individual.  Touching can be a powerful form of communication, however, should only be used in an appropriate situation.  Let’s look at the difference between a personal and a professional environment to illustrate the point of touching.

Acceptable touching in a professional environment may include a handshake or a pat on the back.  In many cultures, shaking hands is frowned upon.  I belonged to a Toastmasters club where a woman would not shake hands with a man due to religious beliefs. Make sure you consider the other person before making a gesture such as a handshake. 

In a personal setting, acceptable touching may include a hug to give someone comfort.  We often hug when we are happy to see someone or to tell them goodbye.  Another acceptable form of touching in a personal setting would be hand holding.  Perhaps you want to give someone encouragement or calm their fears.  Different scenarios in professional and personal settings should be considered before any touching occurs.

Personal space is another form on nonverbal communication.  Take a second and consider how you feel when someone stands too close to you if you are having a disagreement with them.  Would you feel threatened?  I know I would!  The first thing I would do is to take a step back to increase the space between us.  What if your boss leans over your shoulder when you are sitting at your desk to try to read what you are working on, wouldn’t this make you feel uneasy?  In addition to making you feel uneasy, depending on the gender of the boss, the employee and the amount of space, this may be considered an issue with human resources.

In a professional environment make sure you give someone the appropriate space.  If the CEO comes over to speak with you about your work or a mistake you made, would you stand nose to nose with him or her?  Of course not, you would have a distance between you that makes both of you feel comfortable while giving the CEO the respect that is needed.  If you are the supervisor correcting an employee, you may feel the need to stand close especially if you need to speak softly to avoid other coworkers overhearing the conversation.  Before you do this, think about what the employee may feel:  threatened, cornered, or may be trapped.

Over 75% of what we say is through nonverbal communication.  Be aware of what you are saying and how it is being perceived by others.

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

 Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

 LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

 

Your Body Speaks Part 1 - Your Hands

(portions originally posted October 11, 2011)


Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal communication.  Are you one of those people who talks with your hands and people start moving things away from you at the dinner table?  Or are you someone who does not know when to use their hands to state a point?

Hand gestures when used correctly can illustrate a point, create a more vivid description, and help you tell a story.  But be careful, too many hand gestures, hand gestures that are too over the top or exaggerated will hurt your presentation.  The hand gestures may distract from the points you are trying to make.  Any type of hand gesture should appear normal and relaxed.  Practice in front of a mirror.  If you become distracted by the gestures, imagine how your audience will feel.

When you get up in front of a group to give a presentation and you are nervous, your hands will give you away.  Do not grip the podium or lectern.  The more nervous you become, the tighter you will hold onto the podium or lectern.  The audience will actually see your hands change colors.  If you cannot use hand gestures in a natural way, try to place your hands flat on the podium or lectern near your notes.  This will not distract the audience. 

Do not place your hands in your pockets, this may make you appear too casual for the audience.  Depending on the audience, you may lose credibility or appear nonchalant.  You may even subconsciously play with the items in your pocket. 

Try not to clasp your hands behind your back.  When you lean down to look at your notes, you may appear to be "pecking" and this will look even worse to the audience.

If you need to, make a mark on your notes to help you remember to use your hands.  It can be something as simple as turning your palm up while making a point.  After awhile, hand gestures will come natural to you.

Practice will help you know when to use your hand gestures and when not to use them.

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!!


Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President
DG Training Solutions, Inc.


Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni