Public Speaking: Fear Not! Expert Tips on Message & Delivery
Public speaking. Do those two simple words together make your stomach plunge and your throat tighten? It’s one of the most commonly reported “biggest fears.” Psycom states glossophobia affects up to 75% of the population! And even that other 25% still have some trepidation, if they’re at all human. 😊
Nancy Pender is no stranger to being in front of an audience. As a Peabody and Emmy-award-winning TV journalist, she was last an anchor and reporter in Chicago before segueing to a career helping professionals hone their communication skills to be more effective on the job. Pender Communications is an executive and media communications consulting company, specializing in a variety of skill sets including speech preparation, DIY sizzle reels and media interviews. As the founder, her aim is to help business professionals craft and deliver meaningful messaging, with the latter pulling a significant amount of focus.
“When I’m hired to help a client craft a speech or PowerPoint presentation, I also work with them on delivery skills. Words are important, but it’s how we deliver those words that has the most impact on an audience,” Pender says.
She obviously runs into a good number of clients who have a hate-hate relationship with the delivery part. For many of us, it’s due to past experiences that didn’t end well. Any of these situations feel painfully familiar?
- Being thrown into the spotlight with no prep time
- Technical difficulties took center stage
- No one listened, and instead kept right on talking to their friends
- Literally lost your notes and thus lost the audience
- Didn’t practice enough so had to rely on reading instead of engaging with the audience
Luckily there are ways to overcome many of those stumbling blocks. Depending on your environment and message, some or all of the following can be helpful:
- Practice, practice, practice – if you know your message really well, you can overcome losing your notes or having a teleprompter go down.
- Record your practices and look for: places to take a natural pause, whether your gestures are too much or too little, and the appropriate use of facial expressions.
- Bring visual aids or something else to grab attention, especially right off the top. Do you play a handheld instrument? If appropriate, 30 seconds on a trumpet will get all eyes on you!
- Find the supportive faces in the audience and use them like they’re your partner.
- Allow yourself to laugh off the hiccups, or at yourself, if needed.
Pender has her own list of must-dos to help create a meaningful and memorable presentation, whether the audience is a boardroom of 12 or a ballroom of 200.
Even if you do all the “right things” leading up to a public speaking event, recognize you’ll still have nerves. Pender says they can actually make you perform better.
“Contrary to public opinion, presentation jitters can be a good thing. When used effectively, they help us focus better, energize our delivery, and prompt us to practice more, which reduces anxiety. The goal isn’t to eliminate the butterflies but to get them to fly in formation. Harness the energy to your advantage.”
Mayo Clinic has an article that walks people through some psychological exercises as well, including breathing techniques and visualization. Pender says making it about what the audience needs, rather than your own fears, can also help.
“Instead of viewing a speaking engagement with dread, reframe it as an opportunity to improve the lives or careers of others. You have innovative ideas that need to be heard. The most effective speakers are those who are able to focus more on the needs of their audience and less on themselves. Make that sentence your mantra and you’ll be well on your way to a more successful speaking scenario!”
There, now do the words “Public Speaking” sound a little less scary? It’s definitely a great skill to have, whether you’re pitching to a prospective client, raising funds for a charity at a gala, or coaching middle-schoolers basketball. And, chances are, you’re going to have to do it every so often no matter what you do for a living, so embrace the experience and harness those butterflies!
Motivation Excellence Awarded Best & Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation 5 Years Running!
The team at Motivation Excellence, a performance improvement incentive company headquartered near Chicago, is thrilled to accept the 2023 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation designation!
“We work diligently as a company to show respect to our employees and foster an environment of collaboration and trust. It’s always a work in progress as we continually strive to be even better,” said David Jobes, CEO and President of Motivation Excellence.
The National Association for Business Resources awards the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® honors. More than 1,300 companies applied for this latest class of winners, with 195 companies earning the designation based on a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. Applications are assessed by an independent research group.
“Those companies that made the list of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® as well as those companies that continue to make the list are truly remarkable. Given today’s need for talent, retention of talent, and the further issues related to the pandemic, these companies have proven they are superior to market conditions. They are elite thinkers, and this honor demonstrates their commitment to excellence,” said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of NABR and The Best and Brightest Program.
Motivation Excellence is a multi-year winner of the local Chicago Best and Brightest award as well.
In 2022, the company acquired another incentive travel firm in Michigan. The leadership team is happy to accept local Best and Brightest honors for their Traverse City location this year too.
“Our motivation for being the best employer we can be is based on our mission to Inspire Extraordinary Performance. When our team feels secure, heard, and respected, it absolutely transfers over to how they deal with our clients and their participants,” Jobes adds.
Motivation Excellence uses performance tracking technology, aspirational rewards and white glove service for clients looking to improve sales, relationships and mindshare. Reward options include wow-worthy group travel experiences, access to thousands of merchandise selections and special event tickets, and a highly personalized Concierge Shopper service.
Teeming with Self-esteem; Why the Right Level Is Important for Success
So much goes into self-esteem. There are external influences like how others perceive and treat you. And internal factors like confidence and self-awareness. Some people just seem gifted with healthy self-esteem, while others scream conceit or whisper inferiority. There are definitely steps you can take to balance this often emotionally tied characteristic. Check your ego at the door and absorb how you can develop the best Y-O-U there can be!
Self-esteem 101
Self-esteem can be measured on a spectrum from low to healthy to arrogant. Your opinion on your value can fluctuate given the circumstance, company you keep, and period of life you’re in. Below are general defining thoughts for various degrees of self-esteem.
People with low self-esteem might feel:
- Negative about themselves and life in general
- Anxious
- Unmotivated
- Uncertain about their abilities
People with healthy self-esteem seem to know:
- They have value
- Their positive qualities
- They can take on a challenge
- The future can be rewarding, even if it’s unknown
People with too high a self-esteem may:
- Think they’re better than others
- Have little patience with teammates
- Feel entitled to the best life has to offer
- Bite off more than they can chew
Knock, Knock… Who’s There Matters
One of the biggest factors of self-esteem is security. If you’re in an unsafe or unstable environment over a length of time, it can create self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. If so and so is always belittling you at work, or you’re constantly being punished for trivial things at home, or you’re the victim of bullying at school, there’s little doubt it’ll affect your perception of yourself. To combat that, make sure you’re doing what you can to change your circumstances.
- Surround yourself with uplifting people
- Gain the skills needed to feel more confident
- Find a trusted person you can use as a sounding board
- Learn the best words to use to speak up for yourself
Get on the Me Team
Knowing who you are, feeling accepted, and having confidence in your skills are three important internal traits that lead to having a positive opinion of yourself. Some tips to enhance those characteristics include:
- Embrace lifelong learning – the more you know, the more you grow!
- Be true to who you are and surround yourself with people who accept you that way
- Keep a journal to remember your successes – even the small ones
Very Well Mind writes that self-esteem grows as you do, meaning from childhood to adulthood you will likely see a steady increase before it levels off. Of course, most of us will ride some waves that dip into the low level again before carrying us back up to a better level. If you constantly feel like your self-esteem is in flux, seeing a professional is a great idea! It may just be a nasty case of imposter syndrome, or it could be more deep-seated.
Use Self-Esteem to Your Advantage
People with well-honed self-regard are more likely to achieve their goals, see the positive side of things, and move ahead at work. Your self-esteem influences your thoughts, choices and decisions. It showcases how you present yourself, and thus, how people see you. Your self-esteem is projected through your posture, how you speak to others, and how you work on a team.
And remember, sometimes it’s people with crumbling self-esteem who try to bring yours down with bad behaviors and remarks. This is a perfect opportunity to level up and take them with you. Others will hold you in high esteem if you can do it!
Time Management: A Quick Read to Maximize Your Ticks and Tocks
We could all use a little extra time. But, since no one has been able to figure out how to make each day more than 24 hours, we need to rely on time-tested, time management skills. You’re busy, I’m busy; so let’s get right to the heart of this subject in the least amount of time. It’s a super short read, I promise!
Why Time Management Matters for You
You could be a procrastinator. Or, perhaps, you’re the person who’s always the last to arrive. Maybe you’re tired of overdue library books and late fees on bills. No matter if it’s your personal or professional life, managing your own clock well brings multiple benefits to you and those around you.
- Reliability – when you get your tasks done on time, you earn trust
- Productivity – the better you are managing your time, the more productive you can be
- Confidence – reliability + productivity = a boost in self-assurance
Time Management Strategies
There are dozens out there, but below are the most repeated tips I found. Once you land on what works for you, repeat for peak efficiency in every part of your life.
- Know your tasks – whether it’s on a to-do list or set in calendar reminders, make sure you have a record of what needs to get done and when it’s due
- Prioritize – some things are just more important than others
- Biggest impact
- Most time-sensitive
- Can be delegated
- Avoid multi-tasking – it turns out no one is really good at it
- Block out distractions – turn off the email reminders, put your phone out of arm’s reach, and resist surfing the internet
- Establish a routine – do your hardest tasks when you’re most energized each day
Time Management Help
There are plenty of apps to help organize calendars, tasks and due dates. VeryWellMind.com lists their favorite six for 2023. Some are for households, while others are great for work life. They all have free versions too!
Below are links to articles I found helpful when researching this topic:
Indeed – Time Management: Defeating Distraction
Michael Page – 5 Tips to Better Time Management
Dale Carnegie – A Practical Guide for Time Management
Look at that – you’re done reading our blog. If you have time to spare, knock off one more thing on your to-do list before you call it a day!
Don’t Shortchange Yourself When it Comes to Making Changes
If the only type of change you can handle jingles in your pockets, it’s time to make some adjustments. After all, change is a constant, and learning how to lean into it can save you some aggravation and wasted time. Being resistant to big and little modifications in your life can mean missing out on amazing opportunities, learning new things, and discovering new interests. Being receptive to change can mean great things for your health, career and personal life.
Why Change Can Be Hard
Leadership development company Primeast shares four main reasons people are resistant to change in the workplace.
- Self-interest
- Misunderstanding and lack of trust
- Different evaluations
- Low tolerance for trying something different
Their article also delves into two types of change an employee might encounter at work: Operational and Social.
Operational deals with what an employee does and how they do it. Operational change might come in the form of new technology that an employee needs to learn.
Social deals with whom, and how, an employee interacts on the job. If there’s a new hierarchy put in place or a shake-up among coworkers, it affects the social aspect of life at work.
Social change is tied more to an emotional reaction, but operational change can certainly also evoke anxiety. In fact, any type of change welcomed or not, can cause stress, especially if it feels out of your control.
Leading Change
Harvard Business Review notes that often the initial reaction to change is pulling back, rather than pushing forward. Business leaders can play a huge role in preparing employees for change, guiding them through it and fostering solid coping skills.
- Give positive true stories of other people who moved beyond the status quo
- Create a safe space to talk, share emotions and ask questions
- Go through “What if” scenarios
- Set reasonable expectations
- Champion cross-team connections and encourage networking to gain new perspectives
In business, being adaptive is critical to growth and innovation! Creating a culture where employees feel like they can help control and direct change is how successful companies thrive. We’ve all heard of the saying, “be the change;” but unless you’re willing to get cozy with a little upheaval in your life, you’ll continue to “be the norm.” This might sound very appealing, but in actuality, you’re shortchanging your abilities to grow and evolve. If that makes you uncomfortable, then you’re already on the right track when it comes to working through those inevitable disruptions life throws at all of us. Staying flexible and resilient are great tools to help cope with change too.
Change Your Ways
Perspective is a powerful lens. When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 13 years ago, change was very unwelcomingly thrust upon me. I did not consume a very diverse diet. Gluten-filled foods were my main sustenance. All I could think about was that I wouldn’t be able to eat bread and cereal and baked goods anymore.
My neighbor and her daughter came over shortly after my diagnosis, both had lived with Celiac for many years already, with a hand-written list titled “WHAT YOU CAN STILL EAT.” It included gluten-free bread and bakery brands they enjoyed; cereals that were naturally gluten-free; and favorite snacks like popcorn and chips. Their advice was to concentrate on what can stay the same, instead of everything I was going to miss.
Real Simple published 11 coping strategies to try as you trudge through any kind of change. Focusing on the positive aspects is one of them. Others include:
- Accept help
- Control what you can
- Be patient
- Connect with others
It turns out that having to give up gluten led me to a renaissance of healthier living! I eat all sorts of vegetables, fruits, and other grains now. I found new favorites (cauliflower pizza crust – YES!) and learned how to make my old favorites with other ingredients (quinoa, tapioca, and cassava flours are great). Things I had turned my nose up at before (avocado, brussels sprouts, beets, and mushrooms, to name a few) have become standards in my diet because I was forced to make huge alterations and decided to make the most of it.
We’ve all heard that “opportunity knocks,” but if you’re too scared/stubborn/rigid to see what’s on the other side of the door, you could be trapped in a cycle of anxiety, regret and growing inflexibility. That sounds horrible! Do yourself a favor and take small steps to set yourself up for future success.
- Answer that door…
- Step outside…
- Lean toward something out of the ordinary…
Before you know it, you’ll not only be more adept at navigating the unknown but who knows, you could even become a change-maker yourself!
Conflict Resolution: Find the Solution that Works for You!
Ever feel like you run into conflict with the same person again and again? Maybe it’s a coworker, or a family member, or a friend of a friend. Sometimes personalities just clash, and it’s not necessarily always one person’s fault. (Although, honestly, we all run into people who seem to make it their goal to make your day a little harder.) Knowing that we all face individuals, or situations, that make us want to scream, or run away, or break out in tears, having conflict resolution tools at our disposal is important.
So Many Strategies
Think of the following as a warehouse of conflict resolution solutions. There are a lot to choose from! You may find some will work better than others, depending on your personal situation.
PositivePsychology.com reports that being in a prolonged state of conflict is harmful emotionally, physically and mentally. Their in-depth article on everything to do with conflict resolution outlines:
- Key skills to develop (including self-awareness and active listening)
- Methods to use in an office setting
- Health benefits to relieving conflict
- Games and activities to facilitate resolution
A key takeaway, for those in a rush to find viable solutions, is to allow your emotions to subside before engaging in any other technique. Take that deep breath, walk away for a moment or longer, and let the immediate rush of emotion dwindle so you can lead more with your head than your ego or heart.
Tammy Dunnett is a communication coach and self-titled “talksicologist” who specializes in conflict resolution. She published an article on LinkedIn promoting the “5 Cs of Communication in Conflict.” Her advice to maximize the connection and minimize the conflict is to be:
- CLEAR with your feelings
- CONCISE with your words
- CURIOUS about the other person’s perspective
- COMPASSIONATE about the other person’s feelings
- COLLABORATIVE in finding a solution
Vermont-based Champlain College outlines its top five conflict resolution strategies, focusing on recognizing the issue and organizing a solution.
- Don’t ignore it
- Clarify the issue
- Talk together
- Find a solution
- Monitor and follow up
My final entry into this handy “conflict resolution solutions warehouse” is from BetterUp.com. This article outlines the five conflict management styles most of us fall into, from avoidance to collaboration. It then highlights 11 strategies to help resolve struggles we might face in everyday life, including:
- Be humble
- Avoid being defensive
- Show willingness
- Exercise patience
- Stay positive
Create Your Own Set of Solutions
After reading through the above articles, and more, I developed my own list of strategies to share. I whittled it down to four, and made them all start with a “W” as a catchy way to remember them–and also because alliterations are fun!
At the very basic level, both conflicted parties need to:
- Want it – be on the same page as far as the issue and goal
- Work at it – even distribution of effort required
- Walk away, when needed – breaks are OK and encouraged
- Welcome peace – appreciate your similarities, don’t focus on the differences
If the people engaged in the conflicted behavior can’t agree on the above, having a mediator join the discussion is encouraged. A third party is not emotionally attached, and therefore can cut through a lot of the clutter that could be clogging negotiations.
Use It Before You Lose It
We’re not advocating you go out of your way to find conflicts to resolve, but we all encounter a myriad of situations, sometimes daily, where we can call on the ideas in this blog to save ourselves, and others, some aggravation. Here are some real-life examples and solutions:
- Road rage?
- Deep breath – clear those emotions
- Compassion – give the other driver some grace
- Walk, er drive, away – the interaction was a split second; don’t let it take any more of your time and energy
- Judgmental comment made?
- If it’s by someone you know
- Be calm and clear with your feelings about it
- Listen to the other person’s perspective – perhaps they didn’t mean it the way you perceived it
- Welcome peace – don’t go out of your way to find reasons to be mad
- If it’s by a stranger
- Exercise patience
- Show positivity
- Be concise with your response, if you choose to make one
- If it’s by someone you know
- Your coworker constantly corrects you?
- Don’t ignore it, if it bothers you
- Don’t be defensive – assume good intentions
- Talk through it together – you might be on the “same side”
- Find a mediator if you need one
Sometimes, the best person to resolve conflict with is yourself! When you learn how to let the small things slide without riling up your emotions, it gets easier to stay calm during adversity. Maybe it’s developing an inner Q&A (Does this really matter? Do I need to make some personal adjustments? Does this have to be a fight-or-flight situation? Is this just a fleeting moment I can get through?).
When you can calm down your inner turmoil, projecting outer peace is so much easier! Finally, a genuine smile and gentle attitude can turn many would-be conflicts into positive connections, more often than you know.
And, remember we’re all different—and that’s good! It can be worthwhile, and even fun, to consider where the other person is coming from. You might gain a new perspective, or at the very least, learn what makes the other person tick…or get ticked off (always good info to have!).
Learn How to Find Your Joy and Spread it Around!
Did you know one of the most popular courses of all time at Harvard is about happiness? It started in 2006 with more than 1,400 students enrolling in Psy 1504: Positive Psychology. There are multiple joy-centered Harvard courses offered today for students, and at least one business course, Managing Happiness, accessed online for free, for us non-Harvard admits (the next one starts in March!). The latter is taught by Harvard professor, Arthur Brooks, who also has a series of podcasts, books and weekly writings in The Atlantic on the topic of building a happy life.
The Happy Math
Learning how to be happy is a hot topic right now, and, as a society, it seems we need the lesson. CNN reported in 2022, that the General Social Survey saw a record-low number of respondents (19%) say they were “very happy” and a record-high number (24%) say they were “not too happy.” For perspective, in every poll since 1972, up until the pandemic, the percentage of people who reported being very happy was higher than those who said they were not too happy.
Harvard’s Professor Brooks says people can learn to find joy, rather than angst. He talked to The Harvard Gazette recently about his brand new Leadership & Happiness Laboratory which investigates the science behind achieving happiness and spreading it. Brooks says positivity can be split into three parts:
- 50% genetics
- 25% circumstances
- 25% habits
By tweaking your habits, says Brooks, you can change your circumstances and manage your genetics. In a fall 2022 GQ article, Brooks declared he’s actually not a naturally happy person, but he puts theory into practice daily to improve his outlook. He says happy people observe their desires, emotions and cravings without reacting to them immediately. They’re in control, rather than being controlled.
Take Our Advice
Here at Motivation Excellence, we focus on improving performance through a variety of solutions. The end result not only happens to be a financial gain for our clients, but also a positive improvement in relationships with employees, sales teams and channel partners. If someone is happy to be connected to your company, the positive vibe can spread, increasing productivity, sales and retention.
For this blog, I decided to reach out to some of my coworkers to give tips on how they find joy, or keep a positive outlook, as often as they can. After all, we spend the majority of our time helping our clients and their participants to be happy, so, perhaps we can help you too!
Mark Bondy, Vice President, Chief Transition Officer: “I like to get down on the floor to play with my grandkids or dog. It really simplifies life and allows me to forget about stress and enjoy the moment.”
Jillian Fehrenbach, Customer Service Specialist: “I’ve been focusing on personal growth a lot lately. I switch between a couple of books that help me cultivate positive thoughts—with the goal of being better tomorrow than I was today. One of those books is A Gift of Peace: Selections from A Course in Miracles. A summary of topics include:
- Choosing happiness with purpose,
- Making a mind shift and selecting a new path,
- Sharing happiness with others,
- Correcting perception by rejecting illusions.”
Tim Merriman, Independent Strategic Account Director: “I work on a few things on a consistent basis which include:
- Count my blessings and practice abundant gratitude,
- Be more aware of my surroundings and others,
- Encourage others through random acts of kindness, and
- Listen more, talk less.”
Mark Houska, Strategic Account Director: “As a member of our sales team I try to be very methodical in my approach to prospecting and building a pipeline. You know there’s a lot of rejection in sales, but the numbers will bear out through consistent effort. There’s satisfaction in remaining positive and making progress with both small and big wins. Celebrate both!”
Sky Capriolo, Senior Marketing Manager & Brand Ambassador, and your author: As someone who has struggled with depression, I absolutely believe there are things I can do consistently to help alleviate the downward tug and give myself positive momentum.
- Exercise is key for me. I try to get my heart pumping for at least 30 minutes, 5-7 days a week.
- Nutrition – I always feel better when I know I’m eating well.
- Being in the moment – my husband had cancer a few years ago and that really put a lot into perspective. We absolutely practiced appreciating each day, and continue to do so.
- Spreading kindness and compliments. If I think something nice about someone – a stranger or a friend – I make it a point to say something. Making others feel happy, makes me feel happy too!
Live a Long, Happy Life
It’s easier to fall down than get back up, that’s just plain physics. The mental struggle is similar. It just seems easier to fall into that negative thought loop spiral, than push ourselves up with positive affirmations. According to PyschCentral, there are impactful characteristics happy people share that we can all work on.
Happy people:
- Like themselves
- Have personal control
- Expect good things to happen
- Have meaningful relationships
- Enjoy balanced lives
Here’s one more very interesting fact about people with positive outlooks; Happy people live longer. The Harvard Health Blog (back to Harvard; full circle storytelling makes me happy!) shared a study showing people with higher levels of optimism had a greater chance of living past the age of 85. There are also studies that show happy people have fewer chronic illnesses and lower health-related costs.
If you need more convincing to strike out and try living a happier life, remember, some say it takes more muscles to frown than smile. And, having laugh lines on your face, shows you’ve lived a great life (and got the last laugh)!
Motivation Excellence Wins Prestigious SITE Crystal Award Two Years in a Row
The pinnacle of the incentive travel industry, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s Crystal Awards, recognizes companies that produce remarkable travel experiences. SITE honored Motivation Excellence and our client partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Europe at their global conference in New York City this week.
“Being recognized by SITE and the Crystal Award judges is always an amazing feat that reinforces our dedication to our clients and industry partners. Winning an award two years in a row is absolutely phenomenal and says a lot about our incredible team of travel professionals. Accepting this award with a valued client is a testament to the partnership we have built and their commitment to always wanting to be better than the previous year. Thank you Farm Bureau and thanks SITE,” says David Jobes, President and CEO of Motivation Excellence.
Accepting the award were Rhonda Brewer, VP Sales at Motivation Excellence, Deb Dansby, VP Marketing at Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan and Amy Crossett, Director, Business & Strategic Development at Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. Both Brewer and Dansby delivered thank you comments on stage.
“From our perspective, experiences like this are extremely impactful to our ability to attract and retain our salesforce. Our goal is to design and deliver exceptional incentive experiences that are not available to the ordinary traveler. Our partnership with Motivation Excellence is what allows us to deliver those experiences,” Dansby relayed on stage.
The award-winning experience occurred in May of 2022 and encompassed traveling with nearly 300 qualifying agents to Dublin and Killarney, Ireland and then extending with the top 25 agents and their guests to London. Highlights of the experience included exclusive meals atop London’s Tower Bridge and Kensington Palace, an exhilarating James Bond-themed boat ride down the Thames, a takeover of the Guinness Storehouse and quality time spent with the people of Ireland while visiting County Kerry.
Brewer had this to say as she accepted the award: “We wouldn’t be here without our fantastic and long-time client, Farm Bureau Insurance, our DMC and hotel partners and our team that makes the magic happen. Thank you to Wallace Travel, Spectra, Hotel Europe, The Shelbourne and the Langham in London for your partnership to create this incredible program. We love to inspire extraordinary performance, and we absolutely did, as a team!”
Dansby reports that 98.6 percent of the attending agents said they made valuable new connections or learned something that will help their profession while on the travel experience. 87 percent said the travel reward was part of their personal business goals. Agents regularly report that once they’ve been on one of these reward experiences they strive to go again.
As part of their winner’s case study, SITE had this to add: “Showing true wraparound benefits stemming from every corner of their program, Motivation Excellence continues to be a standout exemplar of incentive travel’s transformational impacts.”
Incentive travel companies submit for awards anonymously. Motivation Excellence won the SITE Crystal Award last year for Most Creative Solution Deployed at a Time of Crisis for our program “GEM Club 2020: From Kauai to Concierge.”
Learn more about travel experiences offered by Motivation Excellence.
Get to Know ME with Kim Kopchick
It’s time for our latest installment of our Get to Know ME feature; this time highlighting our accountant in Traverse City, Kim Kopchick! She was kind enough to sit down for a video interview so be sure to spend two minutes watching it. You’ll see she’s an easy chuckler and likes to look at the positives in life. Thanks, Kim for letting us get to know you better!
What’s your title and how long have you been in the incentive industry and VIKTOR/Motivation Excellence?
Accountant. I have been with VIKTOR/Motivation Excellence since 9.1.21.
What does your job entail?
I once read: “Being an accountant is being someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand”. I think that sums it up!
What’s something special about the people you work with you’d like to share?
My co-workers are amazing people! They all work hard at what they do, and always have a smile on their face while doing it.
What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?
I have no talents that I would consider odd or unusual, not so sure about the rest of the world though.
What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?
My faith, it keeps me going no matter the circumstances.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
All things outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
One thing that always makes you laugh is?
A glass of wine and a good friend. (Even if you just met them!)
What have you done that helped you get through the pandemic?
Fortunately, getting through the pandemic was not hard for my family, as no one got sick. But it was hard not seeing my kids for a while as they all live on their own now. We played Scrabble by text and sent photos to stay connected. The positive that came out of that situation was that my husband and I could work from home and this led to the ability to move from the mindless construction and traffic near the southeast part of Michigan to the beauty and peacefulness of northwest Michigan.
What is the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
At one point, I worked for the USPS delivering mail in the city of Detroit. That job has a lot of stories to go with it!
This month, our theme for social media is failure. How do you deal with failure – do you fear it? Embrace it? Use it to learn?
Failure is inevitable if you are trying new activities or experiences. It is nothing to fear, but a stepping stone to future success.
Failure is a Never-Ending Opportunity
Well, folks, it’s a new year. For many, that means resolutions. And for many of those people, it means failing those resolutions within the first month. And there we have it…using the word “fail” right off the top of a new year. There are reasons people often fail at New Year’s resolutions and ways to fix them, as we wrote about in a past blog, but this post is about why failure is not an ending or the opposite of success.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail, Be Afraid of Not Trying
Did you know there’s an official psychological diagnosis for people paralyzed by their fear of failure? It’s called atychiphobia. (In case you have a fear of mispronouncing words, say it like this: a-tick-eh-fo-be-ah.) The Atlantic author, Arthur Brooks, writes that people who suffer from this malady are more prone to anxiety, depression and a lack of enjoying life’s adventures. He writes about three steps you can take to overcome what can be a quite debilitating condition.
- Focus on the present – don’t worry about what could happen tomorrow; embrace today
- Visualize courage – practice in private how you’d like to react to a fearful situation
- Practice humility – take yourself off your own pedestal (special note to perfectionists)
People who are afraid to fail, often don’t take risks in the first place. We’re talking about small risks (talking to a stranger at a work conference) as well as big ones (investing your life savings in a start-up). Without taking risks, your levels of failure and success are pretty much flatlined. Being in a place where you can take calculated risks is preferable. Remember, the thrill of victory is greater when you’ve also experienced the agony of defeat!
The Pros of Failure
BetterUp.com states the biggest problem with failure is our own perception. It can take a nasty toll on our self-esteem. If you can create opportunities to feel successful along the journey, then the final outcome doesn’t have to be a make-it or break-it situation. Read our take on celebrating small victories on the way to a big goal here.
Setting yourself up for mini successes is a great way to keep motivated. But experiencing failure is absolutely OK and often critical to your ultimate success down the road. PsychologyToday.com writes about three positives of failure that many don’t initially think about.
- Illustrates what we’re missing – skill set, personality trait, resources
- Highlights what we really care about – time invested shows what matters
- Allows us to take a fresh start – who doesn’t want a do-over every so often?
In addition to the above three, failing is a great teacher! We all learn how not to do something with each step backward. Being a lifelong learner is critical to leadership, empathy and a growth mindset. People with those traits see each failure as an opportunity to leap forward. It all comes down to owning a positive perspective.
Come Fail Away with Me
If you’re singing the classic Styx song, “Come Sail Away,” in your head now, it was planned by your author. 😊 Dennis DeYoung, frontman for Styx, said in a 2021 interview with Blabbermouth.com that the group’s 4th album, “Man of Miracles,” was a complete failure. It led to no one wanting to represent them until a radio program director surprisingly started playing, “Lady,” a song from a previous album, and it hit big. Obviously, that led to a litany of great songs, including, “Come Sail Away,” which some say pushed them into superstardom.
This leads to an interesting question. There are an incredibly large amount of people in the world who are talented but never succeed at the levels of a band like Styx. Does that make them all failures? I hope your answer to this is a resounding “no!” Sometimes success relies on a lightning strike of good fortune and that is obviously out of our control. In cases like this, the failure would be to not continue trying, regardless of the eventual outcome. And that, my friends, is why resilience is the best friend to both failure and success!
Happy New Year – now go on out there and try, fail, succeed, fail again and keep on going!
