pitch

Your Breakthrough Pitch, Speech or Presentation: Overcome 3 Deadly Mistakes and Succeed

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After a significant amount of undersea swimming, Tom Marcoux endured cramps in both legs.

What’s worse, when swimming in the ocean, than a cramp in your left leg? I found out. A cramp in both legs! How am I still alive? My sweetheart pulled me into shore. I helped by swimming with my arms — so she wasn’t alone in saving my life. Still, my legs were no help.

Many of us approach the need to give the best speech or sales presentation in our lives like we have cramps in both legs. I’m using cramps as a metaphor for what shuts you down. The “cramps” include the obstacles: Fear, procrastination, and the perception of rehearsal as a bad chore.

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Additionally, this relates to the 3 Deadly Mistakes centered on No Time, No Rehearsal, No Pretesting.

What does this boil down to? — No coaching.

The good news is: I can serve as your coach here.

Here are the 3 Deadly Mistakes:

1) No Time (Mistake: I’ll just procrastinate and do something at the last minute.)

2) No Rehearsal (Mistake: I’ll just have a few notes and talk off the cuff.)

3) No Pretesting (Mistake: I’ll just wing it. I know what I’m talking about.)

When I was in the ocean, the cramps made my legs nonfunctional. The 3 Deadly Mistakes cramp your ability to do what’s necessary to speak powerfully and inspire people to say Yes to you.

Here are 3 Methods so You Can Rapidly Improve and Make Your Breakthrough Speech or Presentation:

1. Use a Streamlined Process for Rapid Improvement (Solution to “No Time”)

I advise my clients to rehearse for 9 minutes-a-day over several days. This yields better results than cramming all the rehearsal into one night-before, 3-hour session. Why? Because the multiple sessions engage your subconscious mind. Have the 9-minute session early so your subconscious mind works on the material all day long. Additionally, have brief phone calls with friends and say, “Can I practice the opening one minute of my speech with you?”

In my work as the Spoken Word Strategist, my focus is on a Streamlined Process. With a coach like me, you have someone who can ask the right questions that help you find your best material faster.

2. Use “Directed Rehearsal” (Solution to “No Rehearsal”)

Many of us fall into a “default” of rerunning a bad memory in our thoughts. If you were embarrassed when speaking in a high school class, it’s easy for your brain to rerun that failure. I call this bad pattern Default Rehearsal. The brain falls into the default pattern.

Instead, I introduce my clients to Directed Rehearsal. I guide my clients in the process of putting in New Conditioned Responses. These New Conditioned Responses overwrite the default patterns. Research shows that, under stress, people fall back into the default settings. However, when you have New Conditioned Responses, you are freed of the old, painful default settings.

One method (among many) is to preplan two answers for each “worst question” you might get. I guide my clients to have two answers for the 10 Worst Questions. My clients rehearse their answers in response to my questions. They develop an inner-knowing that they are well-prepared.

I look on this preparation for the 10 Worst Questions as a way to avoid the “cramp” that can torpedo a great presentation.

One reason people fail to rehearse effectively is that fear arises when rehearsing. Such fear often leads to procrastination. Why? Because even thinking about the speech can lead to pain and more fear. Instead, as a client works with me, we are able to move forward fast. I’m there so the client feels real support.

3. Use a “Discovery-Rehearsal Process” (Solution to “No Pretesting”)

How do you know if your material is going to sound natural? The solution is to speak your words aloud to someone you select carefully. A coach can be helpful because the coach only has your success as his or her agenda. Friends and family members can have their own agendas.

Pretesting is crucial. We pretest how your material comes across to a test audience. Additionally, we pretest what language you express feels authentic inside you.

I guide my clients through a Discovery-Rehearsal Process. By rehearsing parts of your speech or presentation, you uncover the language that is most compelling and that feels most natural coming from you.

What can put a “cramp” into your speech? Certain family members or friends will not have the capability to support you. I have a particular family member who has no capability to be supportive. Years ago, I realized that talking to this person was the place where good ideas go to die.

Instead, I developed a circle of people for helpful guidance. For one particular pitch, I rehearsed with 12 different individuals in separate phone conversations. I devoted a total of 25 rehearsals. I realize that many people will not go to that level of preparation. That’s why having a coach can save you so much time. My background as a feature film director has given me experience to draw out a great presentation from my client.

In summary, we talked about three major mistakes that center on No Time, No Rehearsal and No Pretesting.

We covered these Solutions:

1. Use a Streamlined Process for Rapid Improvement
2. Use “Directed Rehearsal”
3. Use a Discovery-Rehearsal Process

You’ll discover how you’re able to get more done in less time. You’ll have ways to make breakthroughs in your communication and your work life.

The best to you.

Call to Action:

Go deeper and take my online courses:

Darkest Secrets of Persuasion and Seduction Masters: How to Protect Yourself and Turn the Power to Good

Success Secrets: Confidence and Skills to Handle Toxic People

Your Secret Charisma: More Confidence and More Sales

Darkest Secrets of Film Directing: How Successful Directors Overcome Hidden Traps

Tom Marcoux, Spoken Word Strategist and Executive Coach
CEO, International Speaker-Author of 50 Books
including the book, Convince Investors to Fund You: The Insider’s Guide to Avoid Deadly Mistakes and Gain Real Success with Your Startup Business

GetTheBigYES.com

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Work Less, Make More Money: 3 Secrets So You Overcome Real Blocks

~ yourbodysoulandprosperity1 ~ Leave a comment
Tom Marcoux makes a breakthrough and then enjoys helmet diving, walking on the ocean floor.

I was faced with a dilemma: Claustrophobia wins or I get to fulfill my dream of walking on the ocean floor. Prior to this moment, claustrophobia had hammered me when I was stuck in an MRI machine. In the cold room, I found being placed into the MRI machine was like being rolled in a morgue drawer, into a wall. Suddenly, I felt that I was suffocating, and I kicked off a blanket.

Now, months later, I had the opportunity to wear a diving helmet and walk on the ocean floor. The problem included claustrophobia and James Cameron’s film, The Abyss. As an effective film director, James Cameron had a scene in which we, the audience, took on the point of view of a terrified diver. The diver looks out through his diving helmet, and he’s hyperventilating. The scene got your heart pumping, and I dreaded that I might hyperventilate like that terrified, diver-character.

Now, I had a choice: Give up or find a way to get past the claustrophobia. I decided to use rehearsal — something that I do with my own clients — in my work as the Spoken Word Strategist. With effective rehearsal, I could access new resources.

My solution was to rehearse — using my imagination — walking on the ocean floor. I wore a hoodie that stood in place of the diving helmet. I rehearsed, imagining that I would concentrate on the wide expanse of the ocean (seen in the window of the helmet) — instead of feeling suffocated by the enclosure — the helmet itself.

Yes! The rehearsal worked, and I fulfilled my dream to walk on the ocean floor. The dream had captured my attention since I was 8 years old, watching TV and viewing the Disney film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I share this story with you because every day we are faced with a choice. It affects many of us on the subconscious level. The choice is: Allow yourself to be pushed around by toxic people and toxic ideas and continue working in a frantic way — or learn new methods and discover how to work less and make more money.

Here are 3 Secrets so you overcome real blocks:

1. Let go of a Limiting Belief

My client, Cynthia, told me that she had to abide by the industry standard of clients pay half up front and half on delivery. Her problem weighed on her as she found it truly uncomfortable and time-consuming to keep returning to clients and get the second payment.

During our coaching session, I pointed out a couple of important details. “Cynthia, you have enough credibility, and you’re trustworthy,” I said. “Have you considered asking for full payment upfront?”

Cynthia pushed back and said, “No, that’s not how it’s done in this industry.”

“You’ve heard from other people, and they’re arguing for what they know, not what’s possible,” I replied.

I helped Cynthia rehearse so she could ask for full payment upfront. Asking for that payment was a big stretch for her — like my overcoming claustrophobia to walk on the ocean floor.

Cynthia discovered that she released herself from so much stress and extra work for having to chase after money. She found that she could work less and make more money.

2. Replace Hard-headed Convincing with Soft-hearted Persuasion

Many of us get stuck in trying to push and overcome objections when we’re trying to get a new client. I refer to this is Hard-headed Convincing. You’re trying to overcome or push your way through objections.

Instead, replace that process with Soft-hearted Persuasion. You focus on being a good listener. Using a soft-hearted approach, you help the person realize that you really care about their concerns. You’re trustworthy. You stop pushing your ideas. With my clients I emphasize this idea: When you’re listening, you’re winning. Author and top negotiation expert, Chris Voss, emphasizes these ideas: It works best when you listen and then summarize. Then you set up a situation in which the person says, “That’s right.” That’s when they let you know how they feel you truly understand their situation, their values and their problems.

You might find it a stretch to rehearse and use Soft-hearted Persuasion. But it’s worth it — like my rehearsing and fulfilling my dream to walk on the ocean floor.

Using Soft-hearted Persuasion is an opportunity for you to work less. You avoid trying to be hard-headed and convince somebody of the logic of your reasoning. Additionally, it’s a classic idea that people believe more what they say than what you say. Your providing a summary shows that you have a clear understanding of the other person’s priorities.

3. “Contain the Damage”

Many of us find ourselves thrown off by certain toxic behaviors inflicted on us by other people. A disgruntled customer may yell. Some family members may do cruel actions.

You have an important choice. You can decide to learn to “contain the damage.” By this I mean, you do not let someone’s bad action contaminate your whole day. I’m not talking about pretending that some bad action didn’t cause damage. Instead, you can limit the amount of time and energy you use to dwell on that bad action. You could talk with a coach about this person’s bad action for a limited time, say 15 minutes. Then, you decide to move on with your day.

Why is this important? The reason is: When you contain the damage, you have more time and personal energy. That’s when you can work less and make more money.

Containing the damage can include ending the interaction with a negative, untrustworthy vendor — for example. You might closeout working with a troublesome client. Containing the damage might include changing a system in your company’s work.

Here’s Your Special Advantage When You Contain the Damage … You Gain Access to an Intuitive Download.

An Intuitive Download is when you get a rush of great ideas that can expand your business or refine how you do business activities.

What’s the enemy of an Intuitive Download? That’s when your thoughts and feelings are jammed up with worries or upset from toxic people causing damage. When you contain the damage, you free up your thinking and feelings.

Often, an Intuitive Download will save you time and bring new money-making ideas to you. You’ll work less and make more money.

I emphasize this phrase with my clients: “You cannot get the Intuitive Download if you’re gummed up by the damage.”

Instead, make sure to elevate your perspective. Imagine that you rise above your daily work patterns in a helicopter. From this elevated perspective, you can make better decisions. You become aware of patterns that cause damage and people who cause damage. You can choose to protect your personal energy and time.

For example, some of my clients choose to limit their exposure to certain negative family members.

To work less and make more money, you need to be strategic about what patterns and which business associates you allow to remain in your life.

In summary … I shared my choice to take action to overcome claustrophobia so I could fulfill my dream of walking on the ocean floor. I made a plan and took action. Similarly, I’m encouraging you to use these 3 Secrets:

· Let go of a Limiting Belief
· Replace Hard-headed Convincing with Soft-hearted Persuasion
· “Contain the Damage”

You’ll discover how you’re able to get more done in less time. You will make space in your life for ease and many Intuitive Downloads. You’ll have ways to make breakthroughs in your work life.

The best to you.

Call to Action:

Go deeper and take my online courses:

Darkest Secrets of Persuasion and Seduction Masters: How to Protect Yourself and Turn the Power to Good

Success Secrets: Confidence and Skills to Handle Toxic People

Your Secret Charisma: More Confidence and More Sales

Darkest Secrets of Film Directing: How Success Directors Overcome Hidden Traps

Tom Marcoux, Spoken Word Strategist and Executive Coach
CEO, International Speaker-Author of 50 Books
including the book Convince Investor to Fund You: The Insider’s Guide to Avoid Deadly Mistakes and Gain Real Success with Your Startup Business

GetTheBigYES.com

Wow – Black Friday Sale – Tom’s 4 Courses Empower You with Confidence, Secret Charisma, Defense Against Manipulation — even a course on Film Directing

~ yourbodysoulandprosperity1 ~ Leave a comment

My friend, take advantage of this Black Friday Sale – Available Now.

My 4 online courses reduced from $166.99 to Only $13.99 each. Wow.

Use this link for Success Secrets: Confidence and Skills to Handle Toxic People:

Use this link for Darkest Secrets of Persuasion and Seduction Masters: How to Protect Yourself and Turn the Power to Good:

Use this link for Your Secret Charisma: More Confidence and More Sales:

Use this link for Darkest Secrets of Film Directing: How Successful Directors Overcome Hidden Traps:

Tom Marcoux, Spoken Word Strategist and Executive Coach
CEO, International Speaker-Author of 50 Books
including the book Convince Investor to Fund You: The Insider’s Guide to Avoid Deadly Mistakes and Gain Real Success with Your Startup Business

GetTheBigYES.com

How to Believe in Yourself — 3 Secrets for More Confidence and Influence

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Uncage your Real Confidence.

“The worst moment of my life,” I thought, as I sat down at the table. My gut seized. No! I think I’m going to throw up.

After more than five years of work, my dream project was being taken from me. This project was going to set the positive course of my next 30 years of life.

However, the tall guy, who was going to take the project and my dream from me, glared at me from across the table.

I decided to be polite. This simple lunch, in a nearby diner, was hopefully going to create peace and a positive resolution. I reached for the napkin dispenser to get a napkin to hand him.

Reaching for that napkin, I stood up, and my suit jacket sleeve caught on my tall, plastic cup of water.

And time stopped. The water cup tilted, balanced on the edge of the bottom rim.

I felt it in that instant. The water cup’s going to spill over, and I can’t stop it.

Splash! Water all over the table.

My gut clenched. Now, I’m going to vomit.

But both of us were in action, tossing napkins on the table, trying to stop the water from soaking the floor. Such water would create a hazard for the server’s return to our table.

The other guy laughed. I didn’t.

But … a miracle. Some tension was eased.

I then improvised and built rapport with the other guy. And the project was not taken from me. An agreement was reached.

I share this story because the true source of how you can believe in yourself is probably different from your first imaginings.

How can this be?

Through the standard school system and the guidance of parents and guardians, many of us were taught to believe in our talent. “Oh, you’re so talented at this.” We were required to be a good boy or a good girl. We heard, “I’m so proud of you. You got an ‘A’ on this report.”

On the other hand, I’m now inviting you to look at certain essential supports for your real and sustainable belief in yourself. You can build success and the ability to influence others on these true supports of your self-belief.

The essence of our conversation here is to…

Shift from a Thought Pattern of “I believe in myself because I accomplish”

to

“I believe in myself because I prepare, participate, learn and adapt in the moment.”

You see that this is a shift from the external to the internal. You empower yourself by looking at your internal choices as opposed to letting other people’s opinions rule your life.

Here are 3 Secrets for Sustainable Belief in Yourself

1. Measure by your heart, not their approval

You’ve likely noticed that much of your life you have been graded, and your performance has been measured. Here I’m suggesting that we measure by our hearts. You measure by your own values and your own aspirations.

You set up your own form of support and belief in yourself. If you devote effort to prepare, participate, learn and adapt in the moment, then you’ll have an internal source of feeling good about yourself. You are not waiting for somebody else’s approval. In the diner with the splashing water cup, the other guy laughed at me.

Fortunately, I carried on to shift from concern about his scorn to transforming this moment into an opportunity to create rapport. With such rapport, we moved forward to a resolution.

When you measure by your heart, you approach your life with a growth mindset. You’re learning, preparing, and rehearsing. You’re able to get better and develop your skills.

Meanwhile, the truth is you can do all the appropriate preparation and rehearsal and still not get the outcome that you want. Perhaps, the marketplace does not respond to your work. The feature film The Princess Bride landed with a thud at the box office. But this film has continued for decades to serve millions of people who have purchased copies on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.

Some of our work serves as a staircase to our doing better work with our next project.

Elon Musk said that success requires having a high pain threshold. Along this line, we’re looking at nourishing your personal strength by measuring by your heart. That gives you the stamina.

The good news is: When you measure by your heart and not their approval, you can give yourself appropriate acknowledgement that you are moving forward.

2. Engage with doing and being present

All of life includes improvising. Every conversation you experience calls upon you to listen, adapt and respond. Many conversations involve restraining yourself and keeping certain emotions in check. In the situation that include my tipping over the water cup, I needed to carry on and ultimately create rapport to bring the painful and stressful situation to a resolution.

In my work as the Spoken Word Strategist, I help my clients focus on Words. Strategy and Rehearsal. This process helps each client develop compelling communication for an important situation.

Consider dividing your goals into Effort-Goals and Result-Goals. Your Effort-Goals will focus on preparation and rehearsal. With the appropriate Words, Strategy and Rehearsal, you will be able to improvise and be in the present moment — and perform at your best.

We seek to develop our vital skills that include focusing on what you’re doing in this present moment. As a side note: It’s valuable to develop daily habits like meditation so that you can shift from a stressful perception into one of calm and peace. Even a daily five-minute meditation session can change the structure of your brain. You’ll be empowered to perform at your best in moments that feel truly stressful.

3. Define Your Own Healthy Identity

Many of us are locked into the identity placed on us by parents, guardians, and the traditional school system. The old idea was you have value based on “you are talented, and you accomplished what we say is important.”

Instead, consider defining your own healthy identity built on something other than other people’s approval and only accomplishments. Build your identity on how you devote efforts and you participate in life. The idea is that you focus on how you prepare, participate, learn and adapt in the moment. This gives you a solid foundation, which helps you maintain your poise in stressful situations.

My point is: Avoid relying on other people’s version of your identity. Instead, choose your identity as someone who prepares, learns and adapts.

Facing other really tough moments in my life, I have relied on rehearsing every day, and I work with mentors. I have developed improvisational skills to perform in stressful situations.

Focus not just on your accomplishments and other people’s approval. Consider an internal approach in which you measure by your heart. You will radiate more confidence, and people will say Yes to your influence.

Believe in yourself because, daily, you prepare, participate, learn and adapt in the moment. Then, you will experience a new type of freedom, which releases you from chains and blockages caused by relying on other people’s approval. Avoid only measuring yourself by your past accomplishments.

Build your internal strength as you say to yourself: “I prepare, participate, learn and adapt in the moment. I am growing. I take appropriate risks and feel fulfillment in my life.”

The best to you.

Call to Action:

Go deeper and take my online courses:

Darkest Secrets of Persuasion and Seduction Masters: How to Protect Yourself and Turn the Power to Good

Success Secrets: Confidence and Skills to Handle Toxic People

Your Secret Charisma: More Confidence and More Sales

Darkest Secrets of Film Directing: How Success Directors Overcome Hidden Traps

Tom Marcoux, Spoken Word Strategist and Executive Coach
CEO, International Speaker-Author of 50 Books
including the book Convince Investor to Fund You: The Insider’s Guide to Avoid Deadly Mistakes and Gain Real Success with Your Startup Business

GetTheBigYES.com