Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Nancy Daniels | Selfgrowth.com
- ***What Language Is Your Body Speaking at the Lectern? - by Submitted on May 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsBody language. The nonverbal communication of your body that can tell your audience you are speaking with confidence or cowardness, delight or disingenuity. Do you know which language your body is speaking? Something as simple as an arm gesture could be telling your audience one thing ...
Views: 2855 - ***The Right Way to Increase Your Volume Without Shouting - by Submitted on May 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the difficulties many people have is to the ability to increase their volume without hurting their throat or their listeners’ ears. The right way to do this is known as projection and is only possible if you are powering your voice from your chest cavity. There is a right way to ...
Views: 6919(2 votes) - ***Face 10 - Figure 10 - Voice 3? - by Submitted on May 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYes, we are a people very concerned with the image we project. We exercise on a regular basis; we are more aware of the foods we are eating; we try to get a good night’s sleep. As women, we want to look good; and, as we age, we know it takes more work. Our clothing is of the latest fashion; ...
Views: 2137 - ***How To Get Rid of a Nasal Voice - by Submitted on May 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is nothing more frustrating than listening to someone who speaks with an excess of nasal sound. In a study done some years ago on how people react to a nasal voice, it was reported that it is frequently associated with less-than-average intelligence and a sign of immaturity. Ridding ...
Views: 14172(2 votes) - ***Do You Know Which Sounds Are True Nasals? - by Submitted on May 10, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile we tend to equate nasality with New Yorkers, this issue is not just their problem. It is found in many parts of the United States and Canada as well. In the English language, there are 3 sounds known as nasals which should vibrate in your nose. They are the n, the m, and the ng sounds. ...
Views: 2998(2 votes) - ***Improve Your Voice; Improve Your Life - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsImagine the CEO of a company sounding like Fran Drescher in her role as “The Nanny” or the bimbo voice Melanie Griffith. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? In fact, when Melanie Griffith played in the movie “Working Girl” in which she takes over for her boss, she enrolls in voice training in order to ...
Views: 2999(2 votes) - ***Are Men With Deeper Voices More Attractive? - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that women judge a man’s attractiveness by more than just his looks. Two qualities that the female sex takes note of are a man’s confidence and his voice. A deep, rich sound is definitely more alluring to her ears than a high-pitched, nasal whine or a weak and wimpy squawk. ...
Views: 5918 - ***The 3 Step Approach for a Deeper Speaking Voice - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile there are various methods and suggestions as to how to make your voice deeper in pitch, the difference between those approaches and the one that is correct lies in the word make. As soon as you make your voice do something it shouldn’t, you are forcing it. When you force your voice into ...
Views: 3320 - ***Your Soft-Spoken Voice Is Impressing No One! - by Submitted on May 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most frustrating things for a listener is not hearing what the other person is saying. They are listening but they’re not hearing. After repeated attempts asking the speaker to increase his/her volume, they stop listening. If you want others to hear your message, then you must ...
Views: 4416(2 votes) - ***Public Speaking Is More About Your Audience and Less About You - by Submitted on May 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYou’ve been invited or requested to speak and while your immediate reaction may be debilitating fear, at some point, you begin to focus on your material and/or your delivery. My question to you is what is goal? Are you aware that unless you know your audience, your goal cannot be fully ...
Views: 2033 - ***Speaking Clearly Is the Name of the Game in Business Today - by Submitted on May 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn the past, you could afford to speak with a Brooklyn dialect because your business probably dealt with those who spoke the same way. Today, however, no matter where you live, business is global. What this means is that your clients and associates need to be able to understand your words. If ...
Views: 2401 - ***One of the Little Known Secrets of Dynamic Public Speaking - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsHave you ever sat in an auditorium, hall, church, or theater and listened to the coughing, sniffling, shuffling of papers and overall restlessness of those in the audience during a rather dull presentation or speech? It happens and it happens when the speaker is not very dynamic. Too often, ...
Views: 2250(2 votes) - ***You Do Not Need to Speak for a Living for Voice Training to Be Part of Your Ongoing Development - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhether it is for personal reasons or professional, improving the sound of your speaking voice is something people are becoming aware of because they realize it is part of the image they project. What does your voice (the one you hear on your answering machine) say about you? In today's ...
Views: 2209 - ***What Should You Do with Your Hands in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Nancy DanielsA lot of people ask me what they should do with their hands when they are addressing an audience. My answer to them is simple. “What do you do with your hands when you are talking to your family, your friends or your colleagues?” If you are not sure of the answer to the above question, ...
Views: 2279(1 vote) - ***Is It Good to 'Wing It' in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf there is one thing I would never recommend for the novice in public speaking, it would be to ‘wing it’ or, in other words, to speak without note cards or some form of visual aid. You must have something to help keep you on track. If, however, you have been speaking about the same topic for ...
Views: 2240(1 vote) - ***What Stress Does to Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are plagued by a great deal of stress on a daily basis, do you know what it is doing to your speaking voice? You are probably aware that it is affecting your sleep, your diet, your mental health, your physical health and your overall well-being. But what do you think it is doing to your ...
Views: 3227 - ***The Best Means of Reducing Stess - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen I heard Dr. John Gray, author of the best-selling Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, talking about his book, Why Mars & Venus Collide, I found it interesting when he described the differences in how men and women handle stress as well as why the sexes treat stress differently. If I ...
Views: 2848(1 vote) - ***Is Your Handshake Sending the Right Message? - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAh, the handshake. The handshake that is the 2nd or 3rd thing in which others will judge you. First in line is your visual image. What follows is often a handshake, your name, or both, as you introduce yourself. Have you ever considered the importance of your handshake and the image it ...
Views: 2852(2 votes) - ***You Don't Have to Live with the Voice You Hear on Your Voicemail - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you remember the first time you heard yourself on a recording? I do. The memory is seared into my mind. I was shocked. In fact, I was sure it was the fault of Sony and not of me! When I was in graduate school a few years later, my singing professor showed me where my optimum speaking ...
Views: 2750 - ***Next Time You Give Your Personal Introduction, Why Not Stand Out From the Crowd? - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOh, how I dislike the business lunch or dinner meeting in which everyone must stand and introduce themselves. What we tend to hear, one after the other, is a name, a profession, and a place of business that becomes sing-song after the 1st introduction. Not only is it spoken in a lilt, but ...
Views: 4969 - ***Why Men Don't Listen! - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI am about to be politically incorrect. When you reach a certain point in life, however, you discover from experience that some generalizing is correct. From my many years teaching voice improvement, I have found that women tend to be more expressive in speaking. I have also discovered that ...
Views: 4266(1 vote) - ***Why We Find a Deep Voice Sexy - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsConsider the actors who have great voices: George Clooney, Cher, Vin Diesel, Julia Ormond, Kathleen Turner, Sean Connery, Peter Coyote, Morgan Freeman, Catherine Zeta Jones, Kate Beckinsale, James Earl Jones, Ashley Judd and the late great Barry White, to name a few. Now think about the voices ...
Views: 4084 - ***Constant Clearing of Your Throat May Be a Sign of Vocal Abuse - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you find that you are clearing your throat frequently when you speak, it may be a sign of vocal abuse. Ignoring it will not make the abuse go away because the process of talking is creating the problem. Therefore, the more you talk, the more you are irritating your throat and vocal folds ...
Views: 3027(1 vote) - ***3 Steps for Overcoming Breathlessness in Public Speaking - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhile fear of public speaking is the first major hurdle for many who must address an audience, breathlessness is most definitely the second. It is surprising how many people are affected by this easily remedied problem. When you are talking to your friends, your family, your colleagues or ...
Views: 17125(1 vote) - ***Are Your Delivery Skills Lacking in Expression? - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you speak in a monotone, there is only word to describe it: boring. That is not a very comforting thought if you care about the image you are projecting. A delivery without emotion or life means a message that will not be received. Your listeners may grasp the first of your thoughts; but, ...
Views: 3479(2 votes) - ***If You Are Looking for a Way to Improve Your Image, Do Not Forget Your Voice - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2011 from Nancy DanielsYou have probably heard the statistics: when you meet someone in a face-to-face situation, 37% of the image you project is attributed to your speaking voice; 55% of your image is the visual and a mere 8% your content. Whether those percentages are true is not the issue. The issue is whether ...
Views: 3214 - ***Be a Chest Talker and Watch What Happens When You Speak! - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you find that people do not pay as much attention to you as you might wish? Does you voice trail off at the end of your sentences, leaving your listeners struggling to understand what you are saying? Maybe the sound of your voice is strident and irritating or perhaps you speak so softly ...
Views: 6429(1 vote) - ***Can You Be Both Composed and Nervous in Public Speaking? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2011 from Nancy DanielsAbsolutely. While it may not seem possible to be both composed and nervous at the lectern, it is most definitely what happens when you take control of your nervousness and let it work for you and not against you. Therein lies the problem for many novice speakers. When you are nervous, the ...
Views: 3521(1 vote) - ***Losing Your Voice by the End of the Day? - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsI cannot tell you how many people I meet who tell me that they are losing their voice by the end of the day. When this occurs, often they have little, if any, voice the following morning. And, it is not just happening to those on the campaign trail. This type of vocal abuse is common among ...
Views: 5725(2 votes) - ***If You Plan on a Career in Public Speaking, Take Notes on Your Audience - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen given the opportunity to speak, most people are so concerned with their material and delivery, that little, if any, consideration is given to their audience. After finishing your speech or presentation, take notes on your audience and how receptive they were as well as your specific topic. ...
Views: 2824 - Webinar, Podcasts and Video Are a Good Reason to Consider Voice Training - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhen you think of voice training, your first thought may be that it is something for actors or politicians. Presently voice training is something more and more people are becoming aware of because of YouTube, webinars, and the marketing of themselves by means of video. In truth, video is one ...
Views: 2938 - ***Color in Public Speaking Does Not Refer to What You Are Wearing! - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the requirements for dynamic speaking, whether it is at the lectern or just in normal conversation, is to be expressive when you talk. This is known as color and refers to your vocal variety, facial expression, and body language. All three elements work hand-in-hand to make your ...
Views: 3049(1 vote) - ***Be Yourself in Public Speaking Because Everyone Else Is Taken! - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSome years ago, two radio broadcasters were studying voice improvement with me. One, in particular, wanted me to make him sound like Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was an icon and an original in the radio business. Part of his greatness was his originality. Wanting to emulate this announcer was ...
Views: 2222 - ***When Nervousness Makes Your Voice Quiver - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsNothing is more embarrassing for a speaker than to be plagued with a voice that quivers, shakes, or skips an octave when standing at the lectern or the head of the conference table. It is a problem for many people and can easily be eliminated by taking control of your nervousness and speaking ...
Views: 3540(4 votes) - ***What Is the Best Speed for Speaking? - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsSome people talk fast, some talk too slowly, and some are moderate. In public speaking, those who speak at a moderate rate are the easiest to follow over any given length of time. I knew of a speaker in Toronto who believed that talking as fast as you can was ideal. I beg to differ. ...
Views: 8150(1 vote) - ***10 Reasons Why Voice Training Should Be Part of Your Professional Development - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWhether you are looking for a job, firmly ensconced in one, or in the midst of starting your own business, improving the sound of your voice is something you might consider especially if the sound of your voice on recording equipment leaves much to be desired. Yes, it is unfortunate that we do ...
Views: 3405(3 votes) - ***Articulate - Articulate - Articulate - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIn our fast-paced and hectic world, the ability to be understood the first time you say it is imperative for your success. There is never enough time to accomplish what we need to do. Wasting both your time as well as that of your listeners is neither efficient nor profitable. To constantly ...
Views: 3489(2 votes) - ***Is Your Elevator Speech Ready? - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you know what an elevator speech is? An elevator speech is an introduction about your business that you can encapsulate in 30 seconds or less. The idea for this type of speech is based on the average length of time one spends in an elevator. The value of the elevator speech is not just ...
Views: 3134(2 votes) - ***The 3 Causes of Breathlessness in Public Speaking & How to Cure It - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsOne of the most common complaints I hear from clients is that they run out of air at the lectern. If this is a problem for you, let me ask you a question. Do you experience breathlessness in normal conversation? Your answer is probably No. If you do not run out of air when you are speaking ...
Views: 3244(1 vote) - ***How to Create Imagery When You Speak - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsDo you know what imagery means in public speaking? While it is not quite the same as speaking with vocal variety, it does involve using color, facial expression and body language when you communicate with an audience and it is an important basis for dynamic public speaking skills. Imagery, ...
Views: 2838(2 votes) - ***If You Want A Deeper Speaking Voice, Do Not Do This! - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from Nancy DanielsRecently I have been reading some questionable articles about the various ways in which you can gain a deeper voice and I am appalled at the number of people who are giving advice. People who have no understanding of or training in the speaking voice. In addition, their tips and tricks are ...
Views: 4012(3 votes) - ***Do People Ask You to 'Tone It Down' or Speak More Softly? - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThere is no doubt that when I write about volume, I talk more about the soft-spoken voice because lack of volume is much more common than too much. Those who are too loud, however, are just as difficult for the listener as the former. A loud voice is hard on your listeners’ ears. There is ...
Views: 12139(4 votes) - ***How Much Value Do You Place on Your Visual Presentation in Getting a Job? - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMost people in business today are eager to learn and improve their business skills. They read articles; they listen to webinars; and, they attend bootcamps in the hopes of securing a better future for themselves. Your competition is fierce. Other candidates are just as hungry for the job ...
Views: 2608(3 votes) - ***Research the Company Before Your Next Interview - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWith today’s high unemployment, finding a job and then landing the position is a difficult process. While you may think you are perfect for the job, there are many other candidates who feel the same way about themselves. There is no question that your competition is fierce. Being able to ...
Views: 2246(4 votes) - ***If Your Voice Is Nasal, You Do Not Sound Professional - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsGetting a job is not easy with today’s high rate of unemployment. It is certainly to your advantage to not only have the right education and experience but also the best presentation skills as well. When you think about the image you project, what does your voice say about you? In order to ...
Views: 3244(1 vote) - ***If the Thought of Public Speaking Gives You Heart Palpitations, You Must See The King's Speech - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWithout a doubt, The King’s Speech deserved its Oscars and I would recommend it to all. Yes, I enjoyed the biographical aspects and the acting; but, what is even more insightful is how this man was able to overcome a debilitating vocal ‘handicap’ in order to deliver speeches during his reign as ...
Views: 3949(2 votes) - ***The Conversation of Public Speaking - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsThe last thing I want to hear when I’m in attendance for a 50-minute presentation is a speaker reading to me. My feeling is that if you are going to read your material, why not zerox it, pass it out and we can all go home or back to work. Better yet, email it to me! The next to the last ...
Views: 2178(1 vote) - ***Capitalize on the Voice You Don't Know You Have - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsMost people are unaware that voice training is something they can do for their personal and professional development. No, it is not just actors and politicians who study with a voice coach. More and more people are discovering that they are not stuck with the voice they hear on their answering ...
Views: 2338(2 votes) - ***Is your Voice Holding You Back from Landing That Coveted Job? - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2011 from Nancy DanielsWith the high level of unemployment today, landing a job with any company is highly competitive. What is the possibility that your voice is not an asset but indeed a liability? Before pursuing graduate studies, I worked for a company in the Philadelphia area in which we sold pre-arranged ...
Views: 2586 - ***Why Learning to Breathe Correctly Is Your 1st Step in Training Your Speaking Voice - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2011 from Nancy DanielsIf you are interested in discovering your real speaking voice but do not want to learn the proper breathing techniques in order to do so, then do not read any further. Some people provide various exercises to improve the voice you presently have; and, there are a few others who will show you ...
Views: 2550(4 votes)