Step One is All it Takes!

My daughter Elizabeth and I attended an open house at the college she decided to attend. The dean spoke to the students and posed this riddle to them:

"Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off.
Question: How many are left?"

We looked at each other thinking - duh - that's pretty obvious, there's only one left - but here is what he said.

"The answer is five. The reason for that is because there is a difference between 'DECIDING' and DOING."

Wow. That really hit me and made me think. While he went on to relate this to incoming college students, that simple little riddle wouldn't leave my mind. There is so much truth to this that we can use as we begin a brand new year.

I love the beginning of January - the beginning of any month really. It's like getting a brand new, clean, crisp notebook (ok, I'm probably the only person you know who LOVES notebooks and can spend hours at Office Depot!). It's pristine and untouched and we have the opportunity to make it what we wish it to be. I know you will get lots of emails with great tips on how to set your goals for the year so I didn't want to give you one more of those.

I wanted to just focus on being a doer. Planning, goal setting and preparing are all necessary. However, we can just remain in that planning mode and never take a step of faith and begin to actually "do" it! We can listen to the best teaching, go to seminars and listen to terrific conference calls. There's so much information and so much we can learn and it's all good. However, if we never use that information it is just knowledge filed away. Jesus taught about the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 and the scripture that jumped out at me was verse 26. The Message translation says: "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach." (I don't know about you but I don't want to be a "stupid carpenter!")

This principle doesn't just apply to truth from the Bible - it applies to things you learn to improve your health, business, family or relationships as well.

Jesus expands on this in Luke 6:46-48 NIV: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

So I am encouraging you to begin this fresh, new year with a new attitude. I want this to be your best year EVER in every area of your life. Make a quality decision to invest in educating yourself - listen to teaching, buy books and cds AND read them, listen, take notes, think deeply about what you learn. But just don't let it stop there.

Take the next step and DO IT. ACT ON WHAT YOU LEARN. BEGIN. Someone once said you don't have to do it perfectly, you just have to begin. I agree! I want to encourage you to step out in faith and give God something to anoint, something to bless! Just do the best you can - that's all He requires. Make this your healthiest year ever. There are so many resources to help you get started. But you must take the first step. Make it your most prosperous ever. Do you have a dream in your heart, an idea? Take a step of faith and make it reality. Don't be like the stupid carpenter! The only true failure lies in the failure to start. Eighty per cent of success is simply showing up. So show up! The decision is yours.

How to Write an Informative Speech

If you have ever told your parents about your daytime at school, or if you have explained to a friend how to cook chicken noodle soup, you already have practice giving an informative speech. An informative speech can be used to tell people about something you are interested in or to explain how to arrange something. If that sounds elementary, it's because it is. Simply pick your topic and make sure you know what you are speaking about.

Steps:

Choose a topic. Unless you are writing your speech for a school assignment, you probably already know what your subject is. If you're writing your speech for school, still, a good rule is to choose something you know a lot about; this will require the minimal amount of research. Alternatively, you may want to choose a topic you're really interested in, so you can research it and discover it. Keep in mind, informative speeches just inform people. You better don't choose a topic that will require you to build your speech on your opinion: that's for a persuasive speech.
Narrow down your topic. If your speech is restricted to five minutes, you don't have plenty of time to tell people everything about the history of invention or to explain how to build a car. You may, however, be capable of telling people about the history of the zipper or how to take apart a carburator. You should be able to thoroughly cover your topic in the time allowed.
Develop your thesis. Your thesis should be a summary of what the speech is about, a phrase that describes your topic. For example, "I am going to explain how to take apart a carburator," or "In this speech you'll discover how the zipper came to be" might be good thesis.
Do your research. If there's one formula to writing an informative speech it's this: know your topic. If you're writing about something you know good, you may not want to do much, if any, research. Otherwise, hit the ebooks, and study as much as possible about your subject. Take notes of crucial information as you go along.
Consider your audience. In general, unless your designation says otherwise, it might be a nice idea to assume your audience knows nothing about your topic. With this in mind, you may want to give a lot of background information and be careful about what shortcuts you bring in explaining your subject. If, however, you are having your speech on carburators to a group of auto mechanics, you don't need to give a lot of information, because they already know the subject fine.
Outline your speech. Write a listing of the info you think better be included. Arrange the list in logical order. If you are telling people how to do something, your outline might look alike the bolded first sentences. Keep in mind you want everyone listening to leave with at least one piece of information they didn't know.
Write an introduction. Your first appearance should grab the audience's attention, maybe with a funny anecdote or an interesting citation relevant to your topic. Then you ought to proceed to give your thesis statement, and then, if it is a long or complicated speech, provide your audience with a roadmap.
Expand your outline to create the body of the speech. Go through all key points on your outline and it.
Write your conclusion. A conclusion should rapidly summarise the primary points of the speech. Ideally, your ending should refer back to the introduction in some way--this shows the speech is cohesive and tells the audience that you have come full circle.
Time your speech. If you have been given a time limit, practice your speech - out loud - and time it. Cut down unneeded material if your speech is too long. Unless your assignment says differently, do not worry if the speech is short of the time limitation. The speech should be just long enough to cover the material thoroughly.

Tips:

Your outline is meant to be a guide to help you organize your speech, but it's not set in stone. As you fill in the details to actually write your speech, you may find that some points in your outline are unnecessary or out of order. Feel free to add, delete, and edit steps to make sense.
Be sure to edit and exercise your speech to make sure everything goes swimmingly once you deliver it to your audience.
If you have trouble thinking of a topic for your speech, search the internet for topics. There are sites with lists of potential topics.
Stick to the facts. Keep in mind, you are not attempting to persuade people to accept an opinion. You are just informing them.
Do not speak too quick; give people a chance to take in the information you are giving them.
Speak loud enough for the audience to hear you.

Article Challenge Meets Blog Chain - Networking to the Top of Search Engines

After participating in Suzanne Lieurance and Kristin King's article challenge with 60 other writers this summer, I made a lot of new acquaintances. Not only did I meet some terrific writers who were participating in the challenge, I also virtually "met" some of the people who picked up my articles and used them on their blog or Web site. I did this by going to the user's site and leaving a comment thanking them for using my article and inviting them to participate in my next blog chain. How do I know who picked up my articles? Read on.

How to determine who is using your articles

I set a Google alert for each of my articles by typing in the full name of my article on the Google alerts site. Google then sends me an email with a link to the site(s) that have my article posted. Be sure to spell and punctuate the title of your article exactly as you posted it on the article directory. Also be sure to use quotation marks around the title to refine the search criteria and avoid getting email alerts that are not related to your article.

Google alerts are also a great way to be sure that those who are picking up your articles are including your resource box on their site. I found that several folks failed to do that in despite the fact that they agreed to abide by the rules listed on the article directory which makes this mandatory. Whenever I found a site that wasn't including my resource box with my article, I posted a comment asking them to modify their post and comply with the rules. Some changed the post, some didn't. The article directory owners will/can not do anything to enforce the rules, so be aware that this is a chance you take when you utilize article directories. Still, the benefits outweigh the cons.

What is a Blog Chain? I mentioned that I invited my article users to participate in a blog chain. A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of each person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on posts they find interesting. When you leave a comment on eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.

By leaving your name and the URL of your blog in the comment, you have established a link back to your blog. This works like a link exchange on Web sites, but you do not have to permanently feature a site in the valuable space needed for promoting your own goods or services. The comment is usually hidden on a blog, but the link is there indefinitely. The link helps you; the comment helps the other blogger.

Someone on a recent blog chain mentioned that it is an acceptable practice and poor etiquette to leave your URL in the signature when you post a comment. I don't know who wrote the etiquette book on blog commenting or how many wet noodle cyber lashes you might receive for doing this. However, when we agree to participate in a blog chain, we agree to allow each blogger to mutually benefit.

I host a blog chain at least once a month. You may sign up for my next blog chain by sending an email to writer at YvonnePerry dot net. Notice how I posted my email address here. You'll have to use your imagination to put the pieces together, but that makes you smarter than the spamming software that normally grabs exposed email addresses.

Happy blogging!

P.S.: If you are interested in participating in the next Lieurance King article challenge, you may sign up at http://www.lkarticlechallenge.com/

Touring Corning, NY - Glassworks, Gaffner's Galleries, and Great Eats

Corning is one of western New York's destination gems. Of course, the name, Corning, is known for dishes and glassware. The city of Corning, however, hosts not just one, but two, world-class museums. It's also the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes Region and nearby Watkins Glen.

The Corning Museum of Glass was founded in 1950 as a testament to the history and versatility of molten silica. Spend at least a half-day browsing the exhibit halls, feasting your eyes on intricate examples of cultural glass. You will learn the history, art and science of glassmaking.

Note the size of the building. This is no small-town museum. In fact, it's the third most popular tourist destination in the state. Glass facades rise skyward. The 120,000 square foot museum houses 3500 years of glass-making art. This is a destination worthy of your time.

Stroll into the modern art gallery from the airy lobby. Massive shapes of astounding variety resemble free-form stalagmites in an otherworldly cave. The world's premier glass artisans created these designs: from solid mass to intricate, fragile sculptures - twining vines of glass tubing, discs and plates, odd shapes, swirled or solid colors, and multi-media art.

Explore the fascinating history of glassware from the first primitive shapes to intricate gifts for ancient royalty. See rare artifacts from before King Tut to 20th century Tiffany. Thimble-sized pots, jewelry, perfume and spice jars. Minutely detailed dollhouses, masks, and statuary. Imagine a throne of glass or a bed with a glass headboard. Glass eggs. Glass dolls. Even a Baccarat glass boat! Everything that can be shaped from clay, wood, metal or other materials have been created through the centuries in glass.

Examine the science and wonder of glass through several inter-active exhibits. Stand on a glass floor. Watch master craftsmen at work, demonstrating various ways of working with glass. Allow time to make your own souvenir: an ornament, beads, wind chimes or etched glass. The Corning Museum of Glass is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (9-8 during the summer). Before you leave, browse the Glass Market for house wares, trinkets and collectibles.

The Corning Museum has free parking, so park for the day. Hop on a (summer) shuttle bus to the Gaffner District. This historic area along Market Street features artsy galleries, specialty shops, and eateries. Create your own pottery at the Earth Paint and Fire Studio. Look for a painting for your living room or den at the West End Gallery or Oil Paintings of Interest, both galleries are nearby. If you love antiques, browse Twin Tiers Antiques Plaza on Market Street or head for Antique Revival, just outside of town.

The Gaffner District is also home to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, billed as "The Best of the West in the East". Explore our American West through paintings, artifacts and special exhibits. From Ansel Adams to Indian art, the museum showcases some of the finest western art anywhere. Exhibits change periodically. The museum is not associated with Norman Rockwell, although one of his paintings is on display. Museum hours are the same as the Corning Museum of Glass. A combination Admission Ticket is a good bargain if you plan to tour both places.

When you get hungry, sample the Gaffner Grill and Tap Room for succulent Angus steaks or barbecued ribs. If you're in the mood for Italian, stop at Sorge's, a 50-year tradition on Market Street. In addition to mouth-watering Italian specialties, Sorge's is also a Guinness World Record Holder for the world's longest noodle (418 feet in 2003!). For five-star fine dining, make a reservation at the Three Birds Restaurant. Menu selections include elegantly named, exquisitely prepared seafood and regional specialties.

If you've more than a day to spend in the area, visit the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society's Benjamin Patterson Inn Museum on Pulteney Street. The Inn, originally known as the Painted Post Tavern, was built in 1796. It has been restored, along with a log cabin, blacksmith's shop, schoolhouse and other historical structures. The original Painted Post Rail Depot (c. 1881) has also been restored. A combined tour ticket includes lunch at Sorge's Restaurant and a discount shopping booklet. Contact the Patterson Inn Museum (www.pattersoninnmuseum.org)

Other notable area attractions include Watkins Glen, the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, and numerous winery tours. The Discovery Center (near Elmira-Corning Regional Airport) hosts an airpower museum with more than 30 aircraft. With reservations, you can soar the skies in a vintage airplane.

Watkins Glen is known for the road-race track. It hosts several SCCA and other races each year. Watkins Glen State Park boasts some of the most beautiful scenery, hiking trails and camping in America. Cascading waterfalls (19 of them) drop the stream almost 400 feet along the two-mile trail. Bring a swimming suit for the outdoor pool and hiking shoes for exploring the trails or the rim of the canyon. If you love to fish, bring a pole! Seneca Lake and area streams are famous for excellent fishing.

For a leisurely stay, consider a historic Bed and Breakfast. Hillcrest Manor, a restored 1890's mansion, is within walking distance of downtown. The Rufus Tanner House, located outside of town, is an 1864 Greek Revival farmhouse with in-room fireplaces, beautiful gardens and an outdoor hot tub (always our favorite way to end a day).

Of course, traditional hotels are available as well. The Radisson Hotel Corning is located in the historic district. Settle in, soak your aches away in the Jacuzzi spa, and then snuggle in on a Sleep Number bed while you dream of the bargains you'll find tomorrow! For 'suite' accommodations, try Staybridge Suites - within walking distance of the historic district and Corning Museum of Glass. Staybridge offers a complimentary breakfast. Other hotels include Comfort Inn, Days Inn and Fairfield. Camping sites also abound.

The city of Corning (current pop. 10,478) was settled in 1788. Timber and farming built the community. It was formally incorporated in 1848 as a 'village'. The canal system (Erie Canal and its tributaries) helped develop the area by providing transport for timber, coal and other goods. Twenty years later, shipments of Pennsylvania coal supplied fuel for a developing glass industry. Corning became a city by 1890. Today the company that has become synonymous with the city, Corning Inc, is one of America's Fortune 500 companies.

If you're within driving distance - or even if you're not - Corning NY is a worthy destination. Located just off I-86, it's easily accessible and eminently enjoyable. Go for a day trip, a mini-vacation, or an extended stay.

Staring Down the Devil

As much as some businesspeople like to pretend that everything that is important in business boils down to numbers, no rational being can escape the reality that business is first and foremost a human undertaking. One of human nature's most debilitating habits, which has a consistently negative impact on our ability to "do business" is the almost universal denial of things we find uncomfortable. Because of this, a Politically Correct world is created in which we pretend certain things don't really exist or at the very least relegate discomforting ideas to the far corners of our consciousness. As an antidote to a PC world, one of the most liberating exercises in personal and business life is to be honest with yourself about what you are denying for convenience's sake, to look the devil straight in the eye and stare him down.

In the world of Customer Service (due to platform limitations, referred to hereafter as CS), there are some very non-PC realities that need to be addressed in order to bring out the best in a CS team.

Non-PC Reality #1 - CS employees very often have weak and reactive personalities. Someone who has a strong personality simply doesn't want to spend their day solving someone else's problems. Certainly we have all run into the CS rep who appears to have a solid ego when facing a customer, but nine times out of ten, when you back this person into a corner they'll fold over like an overcooked noodle.

What does it matter? It matters a lot! If you have an assertive personality and look for someone like yourself to work in CS (projecting is an equally problematic business issue), you're going to end up with the world's most expensive revolving door. Finding someone who is an intelligent, aggressive go-getter may be great for sales and engineering, but they'll quickly tear their hair out in frustration as they deal with 50% of all calls generated by customers who are unwilling to read a manual or unable to follow basic written instructions. CS isn't usually a good fit for dynamic and highly imaginative personalities.

Because most CS Managers rise from the ranks of their field, you also have an issue with a potentially weak leader. The personality of someone who is effective and successful as a front line CS employee doesn't always align with the personality required to be an effective manager. Instead of reactive, which almost all of CS work is, a manager needs to be proactive. Most CS employees are born "pleasers". However, sometimes a manager has to take hard decisions, disappoint people and stand firm against individual behavior that can damage a whole team. These are actions which don't come easily for pleasers.

A specific risk a CS manager faces is not being firm in their convictions. This opens the door to hiring "border-line" employees. Someone who looks great on paper, is willing to work for your wage scale, and has all the right answers to your interview questions, but leaves you with an uncomfortable feeling after the interview. Socially maladjusted personalities can find their way into the team and eat away at its very heart, with the manager being too wishy-washy to make the hard call and remove an otherwise high performing member.

As a result, one of the most important tasks in selecting and developing leadership in CS is to address the individual's self esteem and self image, openly and directly. If your rising star is not open to the topic and cannot address self esteem head-on, then you need to move on to your next candidate.

Non-PC Reality #2 - CS employees very often have hero complexes. While a hero complex in itself is nothing bad and is certainly helpful for someone who is "saving others" all day long, it has limiting aspects when it comes to developing these individuals as managers and leaders.

Someone with a hero complex usually lives in a very granular and short term world - ideal for the front line of CS. They love to define the issue, determine the root cause and solve the problem, then move on to the next challenge. The challenge is that if the buzz of success is stretched out too far into the future, then this person's motivation and performance is going to falter. What do you need for good management and leadership? People with vision that stretches to a distant horizon and who can work towards the long haul! Most heroes lack the required emotional stamina.

Non-PC Reality #3 - CS has a very poor public image. This is perhaps the most damning of all issues in CS. Although well over 50% of the GDP of developed countries is derived from Service industries, be it hair salons, airlines or call centers, should you try to find an educational institution offering a degree in CS, you'll end up with a list of options that can be counted on one hand, even after you chop off half your fingers.

When we're kids we want to be airplane pilots, movie stars and fire fighters. As we grow up we want to be fighter pilots, engineers, doctors and CEOs. Almost nobody has a dream of being in CS. CS is not the profession of choice for the top graduate. Where's the challenge? Where's the notoriety? CS is usually not even considered to be a profession, rather is relegated to the status of a "job".

As a direct result, it is almost unheard of to find someone who has a passion for excellence in CS. Almost everyone who has worked in CS, myself included, has done so because it was something a bit better than the other options presented at the time. Poorly managed CS often has a very high turnover, with most individuals viewing it as a "short term" situation to be exited at the next opportunity. Thus, they never invest in their CS skills and they never develop a strategic mindset for CS. And then we wonder why most companies deliver CS that is best described as "the minimum possible"!?

There's a great upside to this, however. If you consciously decide to have a deep passion for CS, to excel in your art and be a leader in your field, you'll find that you've got no real competition. It's an open field with almost nothing between you and the end zone. Instead, the field of contenders is so small and so limited that it is more a united brotherhood than a competitive playing field.

Care to join us?!

GZA/Genius - Investigative Reports

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBlaLYquv_k&hl=en

How To Get Free Food

Gotta Love It! Go To College Kids!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h9uZGMgwz4&hl=en