Selective Perception

5 Public Speaking Tips for the Sweaty-Palmed Student

Christina — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:33:59 +0000

Last week, I had the opportunity to host AIESEC SFU‘s General Assembly, where I gave a presentation on Public Speaking. Here are the five main points from the presentation.

1. Your body speaks to your audience, even before you open your mouth. Every twitch, scratch, and crack of a knuckle sends a message to your audience. These little things lets them know how self-assured you are. Even when you feel confident in yourself, your body may signal otherwise. You’ve worked hard in preparing your speech, and want to show this. Convey your confidence by standing straight, centering your weight and facing your audience. Also, avoid crossing your arms, leaning on objects and putting hands in pockets, as this can be mistaken for disinterest.

2. Don’t let visual aids, tools and others steal your spotlight. People came to hear you speak, and shouldn’t be reading off a Powerpoint slide. Encourage your audience to listen to you by only including the main points on your slide. This way, they will have to pay attention to you and your words, instead of the screen. Doing a group presentation? Don’t stand behind your co-presenters when it’s your turn to speak.

3. Speak about your interests. Zero interest in your topic? Speak like you do. When you are passionate about a topic, your tone, volume and pitch naturally changes. Enthusiasm is contagious, and others become drawn to you. I once had a professor who taught Management Information Systems (MIS) which I had no interest in. However, he had great passion for his work and this showed in his voice. Though he spoke about databases and systems, which normally would have been synonymous for a sleeping pill, his interest and love for MIS kept me awake for a whole semester.

4. Rehearse, without being rehearsed. Practice your speech to familiarize yourself with your content, flow and transitions. However, do not memorize a speech or read it line by line.

5. Grab every opportunity to speak in front of an audience. Make a speech at a family reunion. Videotape yourself speaking. Ask someone to listen and analyze your delivery. Join an organization, such as AIESEC, which provides you the opportunity to improve your public speaking skills. Look up your closest Toastmasters chapter, and start practicing. Toastmasters gave me my first taste of public speaking, and has helped me improve.

I’m still guilty of fidgety hands. However, the first step to making a change is self-awareness. Become aware of your body, volume, tone and eye contact. With these tips in mind, I know you and I can both become better communicators.

How do you prepare yourself for a speech?

One Hundred and One

Christina — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:51:52 +0000

A few weeks ago, I shot a gun for the very first time. The seconds that lead to the moment I pulled the trigger was nerve-wracking. In my head, I was thinking about the different ways shooting a gun, or even just being at a shooting range, can go horribly wrong. There was obviously no backing out now. I closed my eyes, imagined I was playing Counter Strike, and pulled the trigger. BANG! That first shot I fired at the target was amazing. The exhilarating feeling of power that rushes through your body. All that tension escaping with the fired bullet. Just amazing.

The Day Zero Project

My intention is not to promote violence. In my head, I carry a mental checklist of things and experiences to do before life ends. I can finally cross off firing a gun from that list! Unfortunately, I am a forgetful person and usually need lists to help me keep track of things. I recently stumbled upon a challenge called the Day Zero Project. Simply said, it is a website that allows you to create a list of 101 things you want to do in the next 1001 days. The project’s creator, Michael Green expands on the Day Zero Project a little bit more:

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple challenges such as New Year’s resolutions or a ‘Bucket List‘. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Last night, I created my own Day Zero Project. Here are a few of the things I want to do before July 31st, 2013.

Study abroad
Get my driver’s license
Cook a three course meal
Improve my Bahasa Indonesia
Buy my own domain
Complete 3 pull-ups
…and the list goes on

One additional rule that I am setting for myself is that once I have completed my list (I am currently at 50 goals), I will not allow myself to edit or delete any of the entries. The lesson from this challenge will be to see how many of my goals I have accomplished, or failed.

Join me with this challenge. Create your own list at Day Zero Project, and then share your list.

False Needs

Christina — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 05:24:15 +0000

I recently wrote an essay about commodity fetishism and false needs. A point that stood out was “people in all societies produce useful goods—but not all these goods are commodities.” This statement raised a few questions in my mind. If there are all these useful goods being produced, why aren’t they all becoming commodities? Which ones become more in-demand, and why? Why does one product, which may be virtually the same thing as another product, sell for a higher price? These questions can be answered from many different point of views, depending if you are an economist, a businessman, a sociologist, a psychologist, and the list goes on.

During my research, I began a self-reflection. Which three factors made me decide to purchase the pair of jeans that I am wearing today? What differentiates my Uniqlo jeggings from all other pairs?

“This is the only Uniqlo store location in North America. I must buy something from here, or else I will miss the opportunity!”: Ironically, I had never heard of this store before arriving in New York City. My cousin had been telling us about his favourite store and brought us to Uniqlo. What had convinced me to spend my money in a store I had never heard of? Did Uniqlo purposely establish only one location in North America to create a demand for their products? Looks like it was the exclusivity that attracted me to those jeggings.
“These jeans are less than $50. What a steal!”: The inner cheapskate in me does not make very frequent appearances, but I squealed upon seeing the price tag. Nothing can compare to discovering cheap finds.
“The chick over there looks amazing in her jeggings…”: You simply cannot argue with looking good… or can you? Who do I plan to impress when I get dressed? Leaning more towards those Sociologists, how are the social norms in terms of style created?

My self-reflection is far from over, and hardly answers any of the questions I raised in the first paragraph. Will I be spending less money on branded goods and services? Probably not, but I am slightly more aware of my false needs. I would like to encourage you to spend a little bit of time reflecting on your own habits as well. What factors influence your choices? Is it status? Do you relate to a brand’s identity more? Does it affect your lifestyle?

For further reading on false needs in our lives, take a look at this article by Leo Babauta, “Letting go of fake needs”

This ends my quick little blurb. Hope to return to this topic at a later time, but for now, I am off to write another paper. Good night.

Shoesies

Christina — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:45:43 +0000

Although it is technically still Summer, I have already stored away my flip-flops and sandals. I love comfy shoes, and here are my last three shoe purchases. Bring on the wind and rain!

1. Oxfords from Solimeno for Little Burgundy 2. Ankle boots from Spring Shoes 3. Bailey Button Bomber boots from UGG Australia

Big thanks to my sister, Julie, for lending me her amazing camera.

New York Withdrawal

Christina — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:31:47 +0000

Here I am in Toronto, and all I can think about is going back to New York. I won’t deny it… I love the chaos, extreme weather, and even the huge lines at tourist attractions. I miss New York.

Central Park

From the Empire State Building

Paddling a boat at Central Park's pond

Fire Island, NY

Statue of Liberty

30 Day Blog Challenge

Christina — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:30:28 +0000

On average, it takes me a week to write a blog post. The idea pops into my mind and I quickly make a note on my Blackberry. Afterwards, I sit in front of my laptop, log onto WordPress and begin typing away. Halfway through the entry, I decide that my idea is either silly or my writing just does not make any sense. I hit backspace and start over again. Aaaand over again. This usually happens five more times before I decide to give up.

I found an interesting post on twentyfourcarat.net where Katy plans on doing a 30 day blog challenge where you post a new blog entry for thirty days straight. Fantastic idea, and I will join her as well with this challenge. Are you in?

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

Mouth-watering

Christina — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:56:56 +0000

I could write about what I have been doing this summer, but I will let these food pictures do some of the talking.

1. Two-year anniversary 2. At my first tweetup, #yvrsoulfood at Miku 3. First time trying hotpot at Posh 4. My first time trying Japadog 5. Seafood bake at SNS Lounge 6. My family feasting at House of Wings 7. My first time trying a cheeseburger during my first time camping 8. Studying at school and trying to stay awake with an Iced Mocha from Tim Hortons

How is your summer?

Favourite Reads

Christina — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:38:52 +0000

A few weeks ago, I finally mastered the use of Google Reader. Being excited about using this new tool, I subscribed to hundreds of feeds. In doing so, I had thousands of unread items. Lesson learned, and I have scaled down my subscriptions.

Here are a few of the blogs that remain on my Reader, and which I read religiously:

Not That Kind of Girl – NTKOG, in her own words, is the “quest to do 250 completely uncharacteristic things”. Written with sarcasm and wit, you just have to love her tales of embarrassing herself in public.
Give Me Back My Five Bucks – A personal finance blog that is honest, interesting and doesn’t make my head hurt from reading all the numbers.
Crackberry - No brainer. If you own or are interested in purchasing a Blackberry, this is a must-read
From Julie – This may seem biased, as Julie is my younger sister, but her posts are interesting and she takes amazing photography. Follow her explorations in Montreal.
Vancity Buzz - Is it possible to live in Vancouver, and never have been on this blog?
New Grad Life - Tips on job hunting, creating resumes, networking, interviews and so on.
Perez Hilton – My guilty pleasure.
Creative Nerds - I enjoy playing with Photoshop, and often visit this blog to inspire myself, or check out new freebies.
Six Revisions - A useful blog offering tips and articles on design and web development
24 Carat - fitness, food and fashion. Just about everything that I enjoy reading about!

Which blogs are you currently reading?

Lucky Number 7

Christina — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:45:19 +0000

I woke up today at seven in the morning. My bus to go to school leaves at 7:34 (3 + 4?). I paid seventy-something dollars for my school supplies. I usually wear a size 8 in shoes, but amazingly, I was able to squeeze them into my old size 7 shoes.

Coincidentally, it has also been seven days since my last blog entry. Maintaining a blog is harder than it seems. Between my three jobs, and in addition to school and AIESEC, it feels like I hardly have time for other things.

Since today is all about sevens, here are seven things about me that you may not know.

I am legally blind. This means that even when I am wearing my glasses or contact lenses, it’s difficult for me to see an object that is further away, that a person with normal vision can see without any problems.
I have never had a Kinder Surprise. My excuse for that is we don’t have it in Indonesia or Philippines!
I wanted to become a veterinarian. In addition to my first love with writing, I also loved animals. As a child, I would take my mother’s stethoscope, run around the neighborhood and play as a vet with stray kitty cats.
Notebooks and stationary are great, and I have too many of them. There are plenty of them lying around my house that some, I haven’t even cracked open yet. This is the type of useless junk that I would like to stop spending money on.
I could spend the whole day in a library or bookstore. I prefer books over other stores. When my siblings and I were younger, our parents would take us to the bookstore, rather than the toy store.
My favourite body part to work out is my back. Nothing beats a lean and strong back. Plus, working out your back also helps build your biceps and triceps since most exercises need your arms!
I only write with thick-inked black-coloured pens. I dislike thin pens and refuse to use the ones that have blue, green, red or any other coloured ink.

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday.

Guess who’s back?

Christina — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:14:47 +0000

Tumblr was no good to me. It feels great to be back on WordPress! Constructive criticism on what you can see so far will be gladly appreciated. Please be patient as I straighten out the kinks on this blog.