How to Master the 3-minute Speech

Here are some tips on how you can master the 3-minute speech.

1. Expand your definition of a speech.

It’s not just the way you talk for 3 minutes at the front of a room. It’s the way you interact with the audience before and it’s the way you interact with the audience after. Build audience rapport before even delivering your speech. 

2. Do your math.

How long is 3 minutes? Even more basic: How long is 1 minute? Now, the easy answer is: 60 seconds. A minute is 60 seconds. But you need to know much more about “time management” if you’re going to be an effective speaker.

It’s time for a quick lesson on the “rate of speech”. Rate of speech varies by age. Young people talk much faster than older people. It also varies by health. When we’re not feeling well, we prefer to send (and receive) information at a slower pace. Can you see the implications for you as a presenter? A fast pace that’s terrific for an audience of college students would create a disconnect at a retiree gathering.

3. Focus your message.

As Will Durant, the US historian, put it: “One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.” When in doubt, leave it out.

4. See if you can tie your message into the date in history.

Suppose you were preparing a speech to deliver today. See if you can make any connections to this date in history. 

5. Make adjustments based on audience demographics.

What is the size of the group? The age range? The male/female ratio? How much do you know about their educational backgrounds? Their income levels? Their community priorities? The more you know, the better you can connect.

And remember: In a short speech, you have to connect quickly. There’s simply no time for long prologues. And you have to connect effectively. There’s no patience for irrelevant examples.

6. Be specific.

Audiences remember specifics. They forget generalities.

An example. It’s from Chris Van Gorder, CEO of Scripps Health, speaking at the American College of Healthcare Executives, in his role as Chair-Elect of ACHE:

“San Diego alone has 650 wireless companies, and many are developing advances for health care. Estimates say 50 to 60 percent of primary care will be delivered virtually in the future. 

"Wireless band-aids are being developed to monitor your blood pressure, caloric intake, hydration and heart rate. 

"New drug delivery patches can be radio controlled … from across town, or across country. 

"ECG machines (no bigger than a cell phone, and one-fifth the cost of current equipment) will allow for remote exams. 

"Even pill bottles will include wireless transmitters. Just push a button to alert the pharmacy when you’re running low on medication. 

"Is our future changing? You bet.

"And ACHE will be there to advance our profession – our calling – in these rapidly changing times.”

Did you hear how the use of specific details made this speech more interesting and more memorable?

7. Watch your pronouns

More than anything else, pronouns convey “the friendliness factor.” Pronouns can help pull the audience closer.

Count the number of time you use “we", “you”, and “I”. That ratio tells something about you as a speaker.

For example, “we” conveys camaraderie, cooperation, teamwork. Think of Winston Churchill in 1941: “Give us the tools and we will finish the job.”

“You” builds direct rapport with an audience. President Kennedy knew this when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

“I” is important because it conveys the speaker’s voice, the speaker’s commitment, the speaker’s dedication. Too many speakers shy away from using “I” – and they’re missing a powerful technique. Listen to Senator Hubert Humphrey’s voice in this line: “I learned more about politics during one South Dakota dust storm than I got in seven years in the university.” 

8. Give it some style.

Be visual.

When H.R. Haldeman commented on the Watergate affair, he said: "Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s hard to get it back in.”

Here’s a vivid description from Gerald Ford: “A bronco is something that kicks and bucks, twists and turns, and very seldom goes in one direction. We have one of those things here in Washington – it’s called the Congress.” 

There’s nothing new about using visual images to sell your point. Here’s a memorable comment from Teddy Roosevelt about his predecessor, William McKinley: “McKinley shows all the backbone of a chocolate éclair.”

Use rhetorical devices.

Listen to this from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.”

Hear the rhetorical power in this line from Senator Robert Kennedy: “Justice delayed is democracy denied.”

9. Use a light touch of humor.

Don’t use complex jokes. They’re too hard to tell. (Plus, they eat up too much of your limited time,)

Instead, use short one-liners. This is one from Will Rogers: "Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing … and that was the closest our country ever was to being even.”

Who knew how to use humor better than President Ronald Reagan? He once quipped: “There were so many candidates on the platform that there weren’t enough promises to go around.”

Listen to this humor from Ann Richards, speaking at the Democratic Convention: “Twelve years ago Barbara Jordan, another Texas woman, made the keynote address to this convention, and two women in 160 years is about par for the course. But, if you give us a chance, we can perform. After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

10. Fix your delivery problems.

You only have your voice, your body language and your eye contact. That’s it. Those are the only delivery tools you have to “sell” your message.

If your voice needs improvement, start improving. And start now. Ditto with your body language and your eye contact.

Read books. Take classes. Get coaching. Attend presentations.  Ask a colleague to critique your speeches and monitor your improvement. If you want really candid comments about your delivery skills, just ask a kid: A kid will always tell you the truth. Your staff might not venture to say that you have a most annoying way of clearing your throat whenever you start to speak but a kid will tell you about this annoying problem flat-out.

11. Consider your A-V options.

You can reinforce a short speech with a wide range of simple audio-visual options: props, letter from a parent or a friend,  music playing as the audience enters, posters made by local school kids, compelling photographs. The simplest of things (free, or very low cost) can grab an audience’s attention and create a hook for valuable media coverage.

12. Don’t run overtime.

Remember: There are very few people who don’t become more interesting when they stop talking!

Think of speeches as “business investments” in the communities you serve. Respect your audiences by staying within their timeframe.

A good speech builds audience rapport and leaves an audience wanting to hear you again.

Take a lesson from Mark Twain. He said: “It takes about 3 weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” So get started now: Write down 1 key message, and use these dozen guidelines to polish it.

So, the next time someone asks, “Can you speak for a few minutes?", you’ll be prepared to make every second count.

Excerpted from: 

Trends, Techniques and Tips
Strictly for Speakers: How to handle the short speech

(http://www.vsotd.com/Article.php?art_num=4371)

“When God Created Mothers" by Erma Bombeck

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 

Dear Me In the Future

Would you like to remember how today is like exactly a year or two from now with no one telling you about it but you?

Would you like to remember what you and your kids did today, say, ten years from now?

Would you like just to remember things the way you experienced them?

I often catch myself asking, "What happened a year ago around this time? How was life like then?" And boy, I cannot remember. I am past that stage of diary-writing. What did I feel? What did I do? How did I react? There's that widening memory gap.

Remember the mommy in the movie "Safe Haven" (2013) who, before she passed away, wrote a letter to each of her family members with a note on the envelope telling them when they are supposed to open each letter? She even wrote one for "Her"- the girl who will love and be loved by her husband. Her letters were kept on a drawer until a fire consumed her entire legacy. All is gone.

We don't want memories and thoughts to turn into ashes, do we? It's good, we now can write letters to ourselves in the future. We can also write letters to our family, friends, and loved ones and we can decide when they will receive it. These letters can be about anything! We can communicate to them and to ourselves in the future. How cool is that?

Ohlife's time capsule can help us remember momentous events, milestones, or simple things that we want to keep in our memory banks. Just indicate when you want to receive your letter to your future self, write the letter, write down your email address, and finally click "Submit". It's that easy and simple. Millions of letters have been written. Why not send one to yourself now?

Ohlife's time capsule

Click here to start writing.

Be safe everyone!

Remembering Our Teachers, Our Heroes

Do you remember that one particular teacher who made the biggest impact in your life aside from your mother? When was the last time you thanked her or him for giving you a grade of 99, for giving you a hug when you needed it most, or for praising your beautiful artwork?

We are observing Teacher's Month from September 5 to October 5 this year to give us all the time to express our gratitude to our beloved teachers. They, who became our second parents in school by default, took us as their very own children. They spend most of their nights thinking of the ways they can better teach us the following day. Moms and Dads don't make parenting plans on an everyday basis but teachers have their custom-built lesson plans. It is a profession that is not paying as good as the other professions when in fact, teaching is the only profession whose influence extends to all generations.

When I was still a little kid, there was no Teacher's Month yet. I and my classmates visit our former teachers during Valentine's Day and pin a cutout heart or a cupid in her blouse. The most loved teacher had the longest trail of hearts in her uniform at the end of the day. Oh, how proud we were to see our favorite teacher with our little hearts!

Kids nowadays can thank their teachers, their heroes the high-tech way - via an online blackboard. You can access the Virtual Blackboard by clicking this on link.

Thank you, dear teachers! You are indeed our heroes!

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.

- Brad Henry

Please use the comments section below and tell us about your teacher, your hero. 

Be safe everyone!

Why Say No to Coal Fueled Power Plant

A friend e-mailed and asked me about my opinion on coal fueled power plant in Palawan. I replied with a brief "No no to coal plants. How are you?" Honestly, I am not fully aware of the issue until I came across an Inquirer news written by Redempto Anda (Palawan coal plant meets protests anew).

So Narra rejected the project and now they are eyeing Sitio Marikit in San Juan. Dear People of Aborlan, I am begging you earnestly and desperately NOT TO ALLOW this coal fired power plant to be erected anywhere in Aborlan. Please let your voices be heard.

I assume some of you wants to make an informed decision before joining any protests. I compiled the following information and hopefully, it can add to your knowledge on the matter as it did to mine:

WHAT IS COAL?

A fossil fuel, coal forms when dead plant matter is converted into peat, which in turn is converted into lignite, then sub-bituminous coal, after that bituminous coal, and lastly anthracite. This involves biological and geological processes that take place over a long period. Coal is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide, as well as one of the largest worldwide anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide releases.

WHY SAY NO TO COAL PLANT?

These are just some of the environmental impacts of a coal fueled power plant:

1. The combustion of coal contributes the most to acid rain and air pollution, and has been connected with global warming. 

Emission levels of various pollutants are still on average several times greater than natural gas power plants. In modern designs, pollution from coal-fired power plants comes from the emission of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide into the air.

Fossil fueled power stations are major emitters of CO2, a greenhouse gas (GHG) which according to a consensus opinion of scientific organisations is a contributor to global warming as it has been observed over the last 100 years.

The World Bank president, Jim Yong Kim, said a two degrees Celsius rise in average temperatures would leave millions of people trapped in poverty.

2. Of the fossil fuels, coal is much more carbon intensive than oil or natural gas, resulting in greater volumes of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity generated.

Brown coal emits about 3 times as much CO2 as natural gas, and black coal emits about twice as much CO2 per unit of electric energy.

3. The emission of particulates have a serious impact on public health. 

Studies have shown that exposure to particulate matter is related to an increase of respiratory and cardiac mortality. Particulate matter can irritate small airways in the lungs, which can lead to increased problems with asthma, chronic bronchitis, airway obstruction, and gas exchange.

4. Coal can lead to radioactive contamination. 

As the rest of the Earth's crust, coal also contains low levels of uranium, thorium, and other naturally occurring radioactive isotopes whose release into the environment leads to radioactive contamination. While these substances are present as very small trace impurities, enough coal is burned that significant amounts of these substances are released.

5. Coal ash can contaminate ground water with toxic elements.

A study released in August 2010 that examined state pollution data in the United States by the organizations Environmental Integrity Project, the Sierra Club and Earthjustice found that coal ash produced by coal-fired power plants dumped at sites across 21 U.S. states has contaminated ground water with toxic elements. Ground water sites across the United States are contaminated by power plant-produced coal ash. The contaminants include the poisons arsenic and lead.

Arsenic has been shown to cause skin cancer, bladder cancer and lung cancer, and lead damages the nervous system. Coal ash contaminants are also linked to respiratory diseases and other health and developmental problems, and have disrupted local aquatic life. Coal ash also releases a variety of toxic contaminants into nearby air, posing a health threat to those who breath in fugitive coal dust.

6. Coal fueled power plants causes mercury contamination. 

U.S. government scientists tested fish in 291 streams around the country for mercury contamination. They found mercury in every fish tested, according to the study by the U.S. Department of the Interior. They found mercury even in fish of isolated rural waterways. Twenty five percent of the fish tested had mercury levels above the safety levels determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for people who eat the fish regularly. The largest source of mercury contamination in the United States is coal-fueled power plant emissions.

It's unacceptable that US is blocking coal fired power plants.

"The Obama administration plans to block the construction of new coal-fired power plants unless they are built with novel and expensive technology to capture greenhouse-gas emissions... The only way coal plants could comply is to capture carbon-dioxide emissions and stick them underground—a costly process that hasn't been demonstrated at commercial scale before." 

Even World Bank will no longer fund coal fired power stations.

"In a big policy shift, the World Bank says it'll no longer fund coal fired power stations in poor countries." 

SO WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

Are we left with a choice between life-damaging brownouts and coal fueled power plant? Say no to coal plant and live in darkness? Not necessarily.

Palawan has the money. Instead of getting tied with DMCI's coal fired power plant projects, why not tap renewable sources? Yes, renewables are more expensive to build but how is it different from the principle taught us by our parents? Buy an expensive shoes or bag because it will last longer than a cheap one. They can tap hydro power, wave, tidal, solar, and wind. Just look at the potential of renewable resources:

"Renewable energy sources, that derive their energy from the sun, either directly or indirectly, such as Hydro and wind, are expected to be capable of supplying humanity energy for almost another 1 billion years, at which point the predicted increase in heat from the sun is expected to make the surface of the Earth too hot for liquid water to exist."

I understand DMCI is conducting information campaigns around. Please don't get swayed by the advantages. The disadvantages far outweigh the benefits. Our leaders in Aborlan should consider the future generations and not just our needs at present. So please convince them not to allow the coal fired power plants.

What's the point of living comfortably today if our posterity cannot see and benefit from the kind of environment we lived in?

I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity. 

- Robert E. Lee

Don't forget to sign the petition by clicking on the link at the right panel above or by clicking on this link HERE.

Be safe everyone!