Monthly Archives: September 2010

Using Trigger Words

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Today is the first day of fall, even though the daytime temperatures in the 90s here in Cincinnati do not feel like fall.

Until I figured out that you "fall" back an hour in the fall and "spring" forward an hour in the spring, I never remembered which direction the clock would go when we changed to and from Daylight Saving Time (which this year, by the way, doesn’t end until November 7!) Paying attention is easier when you have "trigger" words to help you focus and listen carefully.

Our coach would say to us at halftime, "Listen up!" and then he would give us his half time advice. You don't have to be that blunt, but keep trigger words tucked away in your mind to help you really be present in the moment that is challenging.

When I’m wondering if this month has 30 or 31 days, the “Thirty days hath September” rhyme starts running through my head.

For me, "write it down" is an expression I say to myself to motivate me to pull out my note card and pen whenever I know I need to remember an address, an appointment time, or a clever turn of phrase I just heard.

Words can help you pay attention and improve your listening and focusing skills when you let them "trigger" you to the direction you should be thinking or going.

Pay Attention to the Positive

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The Cincinnati Reds are eight games in front of the St. Louis Cardinals in the Central Division.  The Reds have not been relevant in September for l0 years, so I typically lose interest about the time of the All Star break—but not this year.  I can't wait to check the box score when they have a late game.  I have to have the radio broadcast on when they play and check the starting time each day.  I follow my favorite players carefully—Scott Rolen and Joey Votto.

The positive is enjoyable and my hometown team is doing great.  They have already won more games this year than they have in a decade.  I am confident that they are going to win most games.  Paying attention is easy when the focus is on the positive.  Listening to positive words is attention-getting.  Being present intellectually is easier when the content is positive and uplifting.  Listen for the positive and focus on the good things. 

Not Paying Attention Nothing New

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With all the hoopla about not paying attention because of texting and talking while driving, one would think that this is a new problem. However, there have been other classic examples over the decades of people’s paying attention to the wrong thing.

  For example, one of the greatest jockeys of all time and the first to win over $100 million, Willie Shoemaker, was on his way to winning the 1957 Kentucky Derby riding Gallant Man. In the lead coming around the final turn, Shoemaker assumed the pole ahead was the finish line. But he wasn't paying careful attention and in reality it was the last pole before the finish line. He stood up in the stirrups in triumph and as he did, Iron Liege passed him and won the Derby.

  Adam and Eve did not pay attention to God’s instructions not to eat from one particular tree. Instead they paid attention to the deception of the serpent and were expelled from their idyllic life in the Garden of Eden.

  Sometimes we don’t pay attention because we become complacent with the familiar. For example, a Churchill Car Insurance poll a few years ago revealed that drivers on familiar roads experienced a "switching off" syndrome which is a common cause of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a 2008 study found that over half of auto accidents occur within 5 miles of home. Have you ever driven a familiar route to work or school and when you arrived did not remember how you got there?  We get to thinking about the day and our various responsibilities and simply do not pay attention to driving at 70 mph.

  Thus you can see that inattentiveness is not simply due to the technology of recent decades, but lack of attention has been common as long as humans have followed life routines. In order to counteract those around us who are not paying attention, we must be extra-diligent to be alert and on guard in all situations.

The Mental Part of Speaking

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"How can I get over my nervousness in giving a speech? I'm afraid I'm going to pass out." I'm often asked that question when someone finds out I am a presentation skills coach and trainer.  I do have tips for alleviating those feelings.

As Tim Gallwey said in The Inner Game of Tennis, "Every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game."  

I believe you must prepare mentally to lower the anxiety level.  Think "successful speech" thoughts.  Kind of in the realm of “act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic,” by thinking over and over how successful your speech will be, you become more confident that it will indeed be successful with less anxiety on your part.

    As you prepare and are on your way to the room where you are to speak, repeat to yourself such statements as "I am prepared for this speech” (if this is true, of course).  "I have practiced my speech aloud and know what I am going to say."  "This is good material." “The audience will learn from my speech."

    Besides positive thoughts that relate to your speech, include a couple of thoughts about your audience.  "The audience wants me to do well," or "The audience will learn from my speech." 

    Don't allow the negative thoughts such as "I'm so scared, I'm going to pass out," to dominate your thoughts.  Push them out with “I'm going to have a winning presentation!" 

        One other encouraging thought about your nervousness.  Even famous people regularly experience what you experience.  Elvis Presley said, “I've never gotten over what they call stage fright. I go through it every show.”  There is comfort in knowing that even “The King” always had stage fright.