Happily Ever After Link

Link to talk:
Link to MP3:

"Why Personal Progress is helping me get closer to my "Happily Ever After."

Homework for 10/29

Please be ready for class on 10/29 by completing the following:

• Watch the "Back to School" speech delivered by President Obama in September 2010. CLICK HERE.
• After you watch it, please make a short comment on our blog (2-5 sentences) about what you observed. 
• Brainstorm a few more ideas for your persuasive speech and bring your ideas to class.

Chapter 4: Overcoming Fear of Speaking

Chapter 4: Overcoming Fear of Speaking

• Specify your fear
• A specific fear is easier to fix than a vague one. 
• "I'm totally freaking out!"  versus "I'm worried about blanking out!
• Good preparation will help you feel confident
• D&C 38:30 "...but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."
• Develop a good outline and practice, practice, practice.
• Pray for help to remember what you studied and prepared.
• Visualize success
• When you are experiencing fear and anxiety try imaging yourself confidently delivering the speech
• Replace negative thoughts with positive ones
• Replace Negative: "I'm going to say "um" to much." with Positive: "No one will notice if I say "um" a few times. They will notice my great content and know how hard I worked."
• Try Relaxation Techniques
• Fight or Flight: Your body reacts to fearful situations by preparing it for "fight" or "flight." Public speaking isn't as intense as fighting a tiger or running from one. So... what do we do with the increased heart rate, rush of adrenaline, and tense muscles?
• Breathe! Force some oxygen to your brain. It will help you relax and focus.
• Inhale through the nose and exhale through your mouth. It's the best way to slow down your breathing.
• Go for a brisk walk
• Do some neck rolls, knee bends, or arm swings. 

Notes from 10/22

I loved our first class today. I think we are going to have a great time learning about public speaking together.

Here's what we covered today:

• Talked about the syllabus
• Looked through the text book to see how it was organized
• Explained the class assignments
• Talked about your learning style
• You are a visual learner- so we will have lots of video and have PowerPoint presentations
• Explained how the blog will work as a way for us to communicate during the week
• I will post videos for you to watch and post notes from our class
• You are encouraged to make comments
• Brainstormed where you can deliver your persuasive speech and potential topics
• Activity Night opening exercises- Spiritual Thought?
• Possible topics: Music and the Spirit
• Covered important ideas from Chapter 4: Overcoming Fear of Speaking
• (I will have a separate post with highlights from this chapter.)
• Read "Language" section in "For the Strength of Youth."
• Application to public speaking: When we use "clean and intelligent language" it is "evidence of a bright and wholesome mind." It is important to establish your credibility to your audience. When you speak with uplifting and clean language it shows your audience you are smart and they should listen to you.
• Introduced the "Question Bag" 
• This is to help us develop our extemporaneous speaking skills. In other words, this exercise will  help us learn to quickly develop speaking points and deliver a smart speech in a minute's notice.
• You did a fabulous job with your first two! 

getting started.

This is our very own blog. Just for us! I am really excited to work with you on such an exciting topic: Public Speaking. I have created a really fun schedule for us. Don't feel trapped if you want to add something to the syllabus. I'm completely open to adding different content or giving our material a different angle. For example, if you are interested in South American politics, the history of Italy, using public speaking to get a job, etc. Use this blog to give your opinions.

I need you to check this blog once a week. I will put up material for you to read or watch on Mondays for that week's class on Friday.

Here's to a great 9 weeks!
Alli