Archive for January, 2009

Getting Comfortable with Visual Aids

Author: rebecca

Jan 26

I’m not comfortable using visual aids. Today, I will be presenting my speech that has this as a requirement. I’ve never been a paper chart or power point presentation type of person; these do not strike me as interesting visual stimulus. My preferred visual aids need to be something a bit more organic – something natural, fluid, and non-technical. To be comfortable with visual aids, I believe that I need to explore the use of props, rather than standard presentation materials.

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Killing 2 Birds with 2 Proverbial Stones

Author: rebecca

Jan 19

One of my goals for this year, nay even the next several months, is to finish off the remainder of my 10 speeches to receive my CC (Competent Communicator) designation. Now, I will have the opportunity to complete 2 additional speeches during the month of February, leaving me with one final speech before receiving my advanced manual. I am somewhat stumped for topics. I do extremely well with on-the-spot pressure, but now I am finding a bit of resistance to thinking of topics so far in advance.

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Toastmasters in the Office

Author: rebecca

Jan 12

Lately, I’ve been giving thought to how Toastmasters has helped me professionally. I feel as though my abilities in the following areas have greatly improved:

  • To better deal with difficult persons and situations
  • To be a more powerful and efficient negotiator
  • To enter unknown situations with a renewed sense of confidence
  • To express myself more eloquently and intelligently
  • To look beyond an immediate situation and try to impartially evaluate it
  • To keep my calm and composure, even when it feels as though the rest of the world is blowing steam
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New Years, New Dreams, New Goals

Author: rebecca

Jan 5

I don’t believe in New Years resolutions; I believe in goals and dreams. The turning of the year is the time when most people make their resolutions, and as such, it is a wonderful time for me to evaluate my goals.

2008 was fantastic. I loved and lost, and loved again. I traveled and studied, I worked hard and played harder. I toured the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, fell in love with San Diego, drank Tequila in Tijuana, ate sushi in Bermuda, took in some witchy history in Salem, spent a good chunk of the Winter and Spring in British Columbia (Vancouver, Kelowna, Whistler…), and spent the Summer flying around Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins) and made Ottawa my temporary home for 2 months – when I wasn’t cottaging, that is. I reconnected with some amazing people from my past, and made new connections that I plan to take into my future.

I became more of an adult. Took out an RRSP loan, formulated an appropriate savings plan, acquired a fantastic business partner + benefits page, and making plans to move forward with my present place of employment and my present love relationship. I cut off the safety blanket known as my hair, and am loving the care, freedom, and worry-free aspect of it all now. My passion for my love ebbs and flows, but now it seems to be in a definite pattern of free flowing goodness. I am blessed and loved.

Goals for 2009

2008 goals that didn’t make it

  • Visit San Francisco
  • Apply to grad school

The following have been on my list for the past 2 years… maybe this year I will actually see them to fruition?

  • Get my Registered Practitioner status with the Canadian Reiki Association and complete my teacher class outlines
  • Write my exam with the Certified Personal Trainers Network
  • Master of Herbology with Dominion Herbal College
  • Finish my course work with the University of Metaphysics and Pathways of Light

I believe in being realistic, although I am certainly ambitiously realistic. Happy 2009… and may the new year bless you with health, wealth, and wisdom!

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