Public Speaking: Picture Them Naked They Say

Public speaking. What's the first thought that comes to mind when you read those two words? Does it inspire confidence? Or does it make you want to crawl into a hole and die? I'm not trying to be dramatic, here, but the latter is what most of the population experiences when faced with having to intelligently string words together in front of a crowd. And if you consider what public speaking really is, communication, it seems absurd that a skill we've developed since our first year of life, should trigger our body's fight or flight response.

What is the fight or flight response? It's our body's physical reaction to a perceived threat. The threat could be physical, like a lion, or it could be mental, like stepping outside the house. The fight or flight response has been critical to our survival as a species. Imagine. Without it, humans might've never survived past the neanderthal stage!

But why should we have such a severe emotional and physical response to a non-life-threatening activity, such as public speaking? The response stems from maladaptive thoughts that prevent us from being our best, whether it be at home, at school, or in our careers.

The first step to self-improvement is to become aware of our self-defeating thoughts and stop them before they stop us.

What I've learned the last few years from peers and friends is that no matter how at ease they appear in front of a crowd, public speaking does not come naturally to many of them. They still get nervous before an event, but instead of running to hide, they channel their nervous energy into their presentation, taking the focus off themselves and putting it instead into their message.

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel at #Latism13. It was the biggest mountain I'd ever had to climb. Having a week's notice and knowing I'd be amongst a group of people that I admire put a little extra pressure on me. What helped me succeed, I believe, is that I only cared about two things, the panelists and what they had to share, and that the audience learn something. My focus was not on me but on them. I'm sure it also helped that I locked myself in every bathroom I could find at the Waldorf Astoria to practice. Taking a tour of the conference room as soon as I get in there (pictured above), I'm sure helped, too! I also had a great coach who held my hand every step of the way.

Much of what I did to prepare you can find on this list taken directly from the Toastmasters International website. Click the link to read them in detail.

1. Know your material.
2. Practice. Practice. Practice.
3. Know the audience.
4. Know the room.
5. Relax.
6. Visualize yourself giving your speech.
7. Realize that people want you to succeed.
8. Don't apologize.
9. Concentrate on the message, not the medium.
10. Gain experience.

Are any of you members of Toastmasters? Have you considered joining? I'm thinking of joining my local chapter this month, because I know that every little bit of exposure helps. I'm ready. I've had enough of letting fear get in the way of my goals.

What has your experience been with public speaking?

Do you have any public speaking tips you'd like to share? 

The Year In Pictures

I didn't want to let the year end without sharing some of the moments that stand out in my memory.

2013 is the first year since I moved to Massachusetts that I've seen this much snowfall. Note the snow at the entrance to the garage. And I live here because …

One thing's for sure, this is not where I plan to spend my Golden Years.

Human Development Across the Lifespan was an intensive summer course that I took in which we were required to present our stages of development with a thirty minute presentation at the end of the course. The class was intense not only in the volume of material we covered in seven weeks, but, also, because of the intense emotions and life experiences shared by our cohort.

I think it was the first time I didn't dread knowing a presentation awaited me. My biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to talk for thirty minutes about myself. Much to my surprise I was so into my presentation that I lost track of time talking about my family and ancestors. The class laughed when I flashed a slide that said to "Google at your own risk."

It was while I wrote my presentation that I discovered that an actual word exists for healing with books: bibliotherapy.

Yes, books heal. 

Hispanicize reinvigorated me. It was loud, colorful and charged with energy. This has become an annual event where I look forward to spending time with mis blogueras amigas-hermanas. 

Our son is not a little boy, anymore.

Maine in the summer is where I wish to be.

These are smiles that make me happy.

Pearl (top right) arrived via USPS recently. She replaced my rooster Richard (bottom) who had to go live on a local farm where he could do what he does best -- crow. Thank God for great neighbors.

I love Latism and everything it stands for. It's challenged me to step into discomfort. I am a better person because of it. Life is colorless without a sense of community.

I accomplished a lot this year and continue to learn about myself. My two biggest goals for 2014 are to graduate in May and secure a job in my field of study.

Happy New Year, my friends. :-)

I'm In New York City

Landed at Penn Station a couple of hours ago and immediately sensed the vibe. You know, the one that energizes you, even if you've only had three hours of sleep. It's not unlike the feeling I get every time I step off a plane in Miami. The only difference being that New York is Miami on speed. Watch out.

I'm here thanks to the help of three friends: Sofia, who's always looking for ways to help her amigas, as I'm now a volunteer at #Latism13, Dania, who invited me to moderate a panel she's on tomorrow at 10 a.m., the Business of Storytelling, and Gina, who I met at my first blogging conference three years, ago.  Overwhelmed with gratitude for their mentorship and friendship.

It's going to be an amazing three days.

In the meantime, enjoy some pictures I took on the cab ride to the hotel. 

If you're wondering, yes, I'm running 100% on adrenalin, at the moment.

Stay-tuned. :-)

#Latism12: Never Underestimate the Power of One

#Latism12 Houston, TX

DISCLOSURE: My lodging for #Latism12 was sponsored. Opinions are 100% my own.

I am filled with gratitude coming out of the #Latism12 conference held in Houston, TX, last week.

Gratitude for my supportive blogueras-hermanas who made me laugh so hard, I cried ...
Gratitude for the panels, workshops and how-tos showing me that anything is possible...
Gratitude for speakers such as Maria Celeste Arraras, Nely Galan and Sandra Cisneros ...
Gratitude for The Adelante Movement that planted the seed of an idea in my mind ...

But most of all, I'm grateful to the sponsors who made #Latism12 possible.

The Adelante Movement's Prayer Alter y Mis Amigas :-)

#Latism12 delivered four themed tracks: Education, Health, Business and Technology, along with three separate Hands-On sessions for Newbies, Adelantados and Hands-on Gurus.

In the Evolution of Education: New Channels, Opportunities and Challenges, I learned that the top three blogging topics for Hispanics are Latino issues, social good and education; that when choosing a sponsor, to not only choose one that "writes a check," but that, also, gets involved with the execution of programs; and the enormous opportunity to transform education with technology.

In the Getting Published Hands-on Gurus, I learned a 3-Step Storytelling Process from published author and Univision radio host Alberto Sardiñas: Reconciliation, Capitalization and Action; that writers need to make peace with their story and find the lesson to help others; to take a risk, knowing there's a huge chance for failure; and that we must have a "jump-in" mentality, regardless of whether or not we know how to swim.

In The Adelante Movement, Nely Galan taught me that "when you're coming from your heart, things work"; Sandra Cisneros urged us to seek out the writers who will transform us; that "the most important thing is to speak the truth"; and that we should hurry to become good human beings.

In Preserving Latino Culture for Future Generations, I learned that the American Latino Heritage Fund is developing educational resources that are "inclusive" of the achievements and contributions made by Latinos; that Latino history is American history; and of the importance of knowing our history.

Then there were the programs! Here are two developed by sponsors that give back to the community:

Johnson & Johnson: Global Motherhood

Johnson & Johnson Global Motherhood -- Changing the world one mother at a time.
"What inspires you?"

Global Motherhood is a program jointly developed by Johnson & Johnson and The Huffington Post to improve and promote the health of both mothers and children around the world through its various programs, such as:

• Mothers2Mothers that's focused on reducing the number of mother-to-child HIV transmissions through a mentorship program;
• SOS Children's Villages addresses the needs of orphaned and abandoned children in 800 villages and 123 countries around the world by providing them with preventative services and a loving home;
• The UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Health Care Institute increases health literacy, reducing the number of emergency room visits.

Here's a short video that talks a little about the Johnson & Johnson and Huffington post partnership ...

Toyota: Litera-Seeds Mini-Grants

Literacy was a recurring theme throughout the conference.

The Litera-Seeds Mini-Grants for 2012 was developed by The National Literacy Foundation and Toyota to award $500 grants to 10-20 K-12 educators who develop innovative programs that promote literacy while engaging families in learning.

And here are some favorite retweets from #Latism12:

These are just a few of the highlights from #Latism12. I miss it already and wish I could do it all over again. Thank you to all the #Latism12 organizers, hosts and sponsors.

So the countdown begins for #Latism13 in NYC. Is it here, yet?

Off to Latism12 in Houston! ... Er, Almost

This girl's got her red boots on with no where to go.

Well, not exactly.

I was supposed to be on a 9:45 a.m. flight that slammed its gates shut 10 minutes early. So, I sit here, anxiously, awaiting the next flight to Houston, where the 2012 Latinos in Social Media Conference, #Latism12, is being held.

I'm super excited and can't wait to get there. Between the inspiring and educational panels, the keynote speakers, Latin-themed entertainment, and generous sponsors, such as Johnson & Johnson and Toyota, #Latism12 will be the chicken soup that my soul needs to replenish and reconnect with all the wonderful blogueras I've had the privilege of getting to know over the last couple of years, women such as Pink Guayoyo, AutismWonderland, Growing Up Blackxican and La Familia Cool.

Even better, several Latino authors will be signing books, like Sabrina Vourvoulias, whose debut INK released last week. I had the opportunity to get to know Sabrina at last year's conference and look forward to interviewing her this weekend about her science fiction book that depicts a grim handling of immigrants in the U.S. Very disturbing and reminiscent of historical events.

If things couldn't get any better, to close the conference on Saturday, Nely Galan's The Adelante Movement, an organization that promotes Latina leadership, will present its program and feature keynote Sandra Cisneros, author of House on Mango Street. Hello!

Yeah, I CAN'T WAIT and they're calling my gate ... nos vemos. :-)

Car Safety and Education ... Thank you!

I felt safe in my 2002 Ford Explorer (loved her).

My Ford Experience

In 2002, when we were expecting our son, my husband and I agreed that I needed a vehicle that was safe to drive through snow and ice. Three years had passed since I'd experienced my first New England snow storm. I'd moved from Southern California and knew nothing of salt melting ice on the roads, that snowplows tore mailboxes from their posts, or how people managed to get-to-and-from work in extreme weather conditions. Heck, I was used to the Santa Ana winds, rain, flooding, mud-slides, fires, earthquakes, the Night Stalker, even ... but snow and ice? Nuh-uh. I remember on the news, watching drivers abandon their vehicles on the highway and thinking to myself, "There's-no-freaking way-I'll-survive."

Well, I did. I adapted to my new environment, fell in love with the seasons, but, still, never felt safe driving in the wintertime. This is the reason my husband and I visited our neighborhood Ford dealership. I was seven months pregnant and wanted something super-safe: an Explorer. The next best-thing for me on the safety-scale, at the time, would've been a Suburban with bullet-proof windows. I kid you not. I've calmed down a little, since. ... really.

Why a Ford? My parents and husband had driven Fords. When I was a kid, my parents purchased a previously-owned pea-green 1976 Mustang that they later handed down to my middle sister (who soon drove it into a tree, she was okay). Years later, my mom bought a Focus that she handed down to my sister (same one, both are doing fine : ). Then there were the four company cars my husband drove, over the years, since we were married, all Fords.

Source: www.oldcarbrochures.com

My Ford loved flooded and snowy conditions. | Mi mama cleans-off her Ford Focus. : )

So imagine my surprise when I learned that had it not been for Ford Latino's generosity, I might not have been able to attend last month's #Latism11 conference, in Chicago. Had I known this when I first met Fernando and Jesus from Ford Latino, I would've given them each a huge hug and said, "Gracias, por todo."

In hindsight, gentlemen, thank you for not only for making it feasible for me to attend #Latism11, but for your commitment to Latinos and education, something I learned about doing my own little investigation.

Commitment to Latinos and Education

For example, did you know that in the first nine months of 2011, Ford Motor donated more than $1.8 million to schools through their Drive One 4 UR School Program? Or that they're the first car company to partner with General Mills' Box Tops for Education Program to help raise funds for schools?

I'm beyond proud to have been sponsored by a company that has shown their commitment, not only to safety, but to education and to helping Latinos youths through programs such as Ford Driving Dreams Through Education, their partnership with the Hispanic College Fund that assists Latino college graduates transition to from school to careers, and the new Ford Capital Grant Program that awards $400,000 in grant money to programs in "education, automative safety, community needs and the arts."

FORD Driving Dreams Program

FORD Partners with Hispanic College Fund

¿Qué mas puedo decir? Truth is that had it not been for programs such as these, I might have not been able to fund my college education.

Ford and Ford Latino, gracias and keep up the awesome work.

To learn more about Ford in English, or to check out the new Escape (one of my hub's next company car choices :), click here, or if you speak Spanish/Spanglish, please show your support and "like" the Ford en Español FB page.

Besos y abrazos for the rear-sensors!

Abrazos y Besos to Latism ... On Being Born-Again y La Escuela

#Latism11 Chicago Conference

I can't believe that a week ago, today, I had the honor of volunteering and attending the Latinos in Social Media (Latism) Conference in Chicago. Thinking this is probably a good time to apologize for the five minutes warning I gave you before your Twitter timelines became flooded with my #Latism11 tweets. Every single tweet meant something to me, I only wish I'd attended more sessions, so I could've tweeted more! So to my friends, thank you for not blocking me, but more importantly, thank you all for the retweets.

PBS Kids: Virtual Pre-K! Ready for Math

I am filled with gratitude that what started as an offer made by me to help in future Latism Boston events turned into an invitation to volunteer at the annual conference. My head is still reeling from this last-minute whirlwind trip, where I met several blogueras/os (@Kiki_Liki, @LatinaSweetie, @Cheryl_Aguilar, @BlogsbyLatinas, @Juan of Words, @LBCConnect, @FollowtheLede to name a few) and attended events sponsored by brands that recognize the importance of engaging Latino consumers intelligently and thoughtfully.

What's stuck with me since coming home has been the thought-leaders from education, government, non-government groups and business, even key-note speakers, who discussed how they're using social media to make a difference in their communities ... and, of course, all the education sessions I missed because there simply wasn't enough time to do everything. Ay. For an infovore like me, it hurt.

It's taken me a week to recover. I returned home at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, only to turn-around and be at school that morning at 9 a.m. for a final group presentation in my Counseling in Schools class. Since Saturday, I played catch-up on the intro to my thesis that was due in another class, last night. I've been stressed out. But finally, I wake up this morning, sick, but still able to breathe a little easier. And if I had the chance to do it all over again, would I? Absolutely. Although, I'm left with the lingering thought that my roomie, Viviana Hurtado @WiseLatinaClub (who I didn't meet with the lights on for over 24-hours) thought I was a weirdo because of the strange schedule I kept. : )

Following are a few highlights
from one panel in particular
that moved me.

Spanglish -- From El Barrio to Madison Avenue (moderated by @JuanofWords : ) *hi Juan*

• When communicating, whether in English, Spanish, or Spanglish, it's important that we remain flexible and adapt to our audience. We need to know who we're addressing and allow our comfort-level and language ability to dictate how we communicate. We'll know when it's appropriate to use Spanglish.
• Language is the bridge between our culture and identity. "Who do we want to be?" or better, yet, "What identity do we want our children to have?"
• "Forced" Spanglish in advertisement by big brands misses the mark -- those of us in the target market know when brands haven't done their homework.
• KNOW that small omissions in Spanish accents can make a HUGE difference, e.g. "ano" v. "año" can be the difference between "Happy New Year" and "Happy New Anus." 
• Manuel Delgado, @DelgadoMan, from Agua Marketing introduced the term "retro-acculturation" and had us all laughing when he referred to those of us who can relate to this term as, "born-again Latinos." I'm thinking somebody should jump on making t-shirts. : )
• Also, I was surprised by how open and comfortable panel attendees were to share their bicultural, biliterate, identity challenges, however large or small. Simply, wow.

A little dancing from the Awards Night Gala (they could move!) ...

Thank you to Ana Roca-Castro (@AnaRC), Elianne Ramos (@ergeekgoddess), Reina Valenzuela (@Soylamar) and the rest of the team for organizing this wonderful event and to the sponsors who made it possible for me and the rest of the volunteers to attend. ¡Mil gracias! I'll be ready for next year. : )