6 Steps to Create a Speech You’ll Know Without Memorizing
6 steps to create a speech you will know without memorizing: 1) Jot down the basic outline of your presentation on index cards, one per idea or topic. 2) Compose your speech out loud. Don’t write it down first. As you find elements that work for you, you can make a (brief) note on an …
Time’s Running Out
People respond differently to the pressure of a time crunch. Some barely seem to notice, and don’t change the plan at all. Some start a race with the clock, losing focus entirely in their rush. Some alter the plan to meet the goals in the time they have available. How are you likely to respond …
Just Say No to Ghosting.
As far as I can tell, the term “ghosting” started as a way to describe the phenomenon of one person suddenly and without warning completely cutting off contact with another person, typically in a dating situation. Texts and calls go unanswered, and eventually the ghosted person gives up, unsure what happened. The same thing happens …
Let’s Talk a Little Bit About Rehearsal
You know those actors you really love? The ones who make you cry. Who inhabit their characters so completely it’s hard for you to believe they’re real people. Who make you laugh with recognition and delight. The actors you seek out because they bring insight and thoughtfulness and humanity to whatever play, movie, or show …
It’s Hard Work to Make It Seem Effortless
Ballet dancers seem to float, to soar, to magically propel themselves. The grace and fluidity of their movement captures our imaginations and tells us a riveting story. We leave the theatre in awe of their talent, their gift. We’re not necessarily thinking about how hard they worked to create that two-hour experience for us, the …
How Many Tabs Do You Have Open?
In many of my client sessions over the last couple of weeks, a theme has emerged. I’m overwhelmed. I can’t get anything done. Everything is top priority. There’s not enough time to actually work. I am so stressed out. The analogy that came up for me is a person working at a computer. She opens …
What Is Hamlet Up To, Anyway?
When I’m directing a play, one of the central questions to answer for each character is what their “super-objective,” or ultimate goal, is. Do they want to win another character’s love? Receive forgiveness for a long-ago wrong? Avenge their father’s murder? Triumph over their nemesis? Figuring that super-objective out is important because it charts the …
Smile: The Story of a Face
The playwright, essayist, Macarthur Fellow, and now memoirist Sarah Ruhl is a writer I really love. I got to direct her play In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) a few years ago, and her unique combination of insight into the juicy and difficult parts of human relationships, what it truly means to love and …
The Process Influences the Outcome
For ten years, Ignite CSP has been coaching top-level executives at a big company who are preparing for high-stakes interviews in the process of trying to get an important promotion. We are really familiar with the interview and promotion process at this company, and we’ve worked with dozens of candidates over the years. They are …
Idioms and Including
One reason I really love doing workshops with new groups is that I hear my own work in a new way, and I learn a lot. I had the honor of speaking to a large group of leaders in education last week. We talked about what situations are most challenging for them right now, how …
