Ten Effective Ways to Create a Bully-free Classroom

We all know that bullying exists and is having a disastrous impact on the health and well-being of our students throughout our country and beyond. What we need to know is what we can do about it so that every child is cherished and respected and has an opportunity to achieve their unique potential in a kind and affirming community.


What I want to do with this article is provide busy teachers with a easily accessible guide that provides them with effective tips, tools and techniques to develop a bully free classroom.
While It might be unrealistic to think that one teacher can stop bullying in our entire school we can do a great deal to stop bullying in our classroom and in so doing sow seeds of peaceful co-existence that will have a positive impact on both staff and students. From every seed a mighty oak does grow.
It is important to realize that people bully others because it works for them and we let them get away with it. If we can make it so it doesn't work for them and we won't let them get away with it we have a good chance changing this destructive behaviour.

Why do bullies bully? Well, they bully others for 4 reasons.

1. Attention

2. Power
3. Revenge
4. Inadequacy.

When attempting to put a stop to antisocial behaviour we must always keep in mind what motivates it. Responding to the behaviour without considering and responding to what motivates it is futile.
Here are just ten strategies that work. Give them a try and watch great things happens.

1. At the beginning of the year have class discussions on the kind of classroom we want to have. Have the students be as specific as possible. This will form the basis of a class vision and values statement which will be displayed on the wall for future reference. Use the vision statement as the standard by which the class can challenge behaviour that doesn't support class values. When people of all ages get together to set standards they always set the bar high so build on this fact.

2. CHARM your classroom. This is an acronym that stands for Communication, Humour, Attitude, Recognition and Mutual Respect. These elements alone will do wonders to create a bully free classroom.

3. Celebrate and affirm the giftedness of each student. Every child has a unique gift that can and should be celebrated and in so doing have a positive impact on the social fabric of your class. Find it and affirm it in the presence of the class and watch great things happen. It is difficult to bite the hands that affirm you.

4. Try the 2 for 10 strategy to connect and develop rapport with difficult students. It is a simple strategy that works wonders. All you have to do is spend 2 minutes per day for 10 days in a row with a difficult student in light conversation. Ask questions about their likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies etc. Just get them talking and listen carefully to what they have to say. There is nothing more flattering or bonding as the undivided attention of another human being. This is nothing more than a relationship building exercise to show a young person you care. Remember that student will never care what you think until they think that you care.

5. Be the change you want to see in your class. Both students and teacher must challenge one another in creating a social climate free of sarcasm, ridicule and putdowns.

6. Turn your class into and ICU (Intensive Caring Unit). Remember that love is the most powerful healing force in the universe. Put its power to work creating a thoughtful, caring and compassionate community.

7. If there is a child in your class who has a reputation as a bully try to get them on your side. Give them a productive task to do and affirm their efforts and results both privately and publicly.

8. To develop empathy among your students get the students writing on How Would You Feel If... (Use stories and photos from the newspaper to stimulate their empathic response) Class bulletin boards on the topic are also effective.

9. Have a Compassion Board illustrating people responding to human need locally, nationally and internationally. If exposure to violence in the media can foster insensitivity then exposure to peace, compassion and non-violence can foster sensitivity.

10. Promote the acceptance of others not tolerance. We as humans want to be accepted, respected and appreciated, not tolerated.

These ten ways to bully proof your classroom are from a, soon to be published, special report by the same name.

Mike is a former teacher who now speaks to teachers and parents throughout Canada and the USA on teacher/parent relations, teacher stress and burnout and on taming toxic bullies among us.

To look into having Mike speak to your parent or teacher group visit
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?motplus

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5 Workplace Dis-eases and What You Can Do About Them

5 Workplace Dis-eases and What You Can Do About Them         by Mike Moore

I think it was Henry Ford who said,” Why is it that when all I need is a good pair of hands, they have to come attached to a human being?” He too realized that workplace problems are inevitably people problems and when you begin to solve people problems you begin to solve problems in the workplace.

In a recent Ipsos-Reid poll it was revealed that 60 percent of all employees surveyed were dissatisfied with their job and that 43 percent of these were actively or passively looking for other employment.  The cause of this was discovered to be 5 workplace diseases list below.

* Stress

Employee stress is definitely on the rise and if not addressed can cause serious problems for both employers and employees.  I read recently that half of all Long Term Disability claims are stress related and that a good number of worker absentees throughout the year are stress induced.

* High Employee Turnover

When people have to function in an unhealthy stress filled work environment where appreciation and praise are absent they want out and begin to look elsewhere for meaningful and more satisfying employment.

* Low Morale

I believe that low morale is the inevitable result of a lack of personalism in the workplace. When your staff perceives that they and their well-being are priorities for management morale begins to improve.  It is in the best interest of management to care for the health, well-being and happiness of its employees.

* Low Productivity

People who don’t feel valued don’t produce as well as those who do.  This is a basic axiom in my opinion. It rings true in every area of human interaction.  I once had a woman approach me with glowing praise for her supervisor. When I asked why she felt this way she handed me a brief note written by the supervisor. It contained two lines and they said. Dear Joy, Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate your presence and hard work in our department. We are better for having you among us.”  That’s all it said, but the impact on this woman was profound. She would have walked over a field of razor blades in her bare feet for this person. Two little lines.  People produce when they feel cherished.

* Lack of Creative Problem Solving

When people work in a climate of encouragement, empowerment, appreciation and fun they are more willing to contribute their creativity to the solution of company problems.  Every organization needs creative employees and creativity thrives in a climate where people are listened to, valued and encouraged to laugh. Always remember that there is a huge reservoir of creative potential within the individual and collective wisdom of the group.  All one has to do is tap it.

 * Lack of Effective Communication                               

Communication is fundamentally the sharing of self with others. In an effective workplace employees need to be encouraged to honestly and comfortably say what is on their minds.  I once asked a manager, “Who tells you what you need to know and don’t want to hear?” He thought for a moment and said, “Nobody”.  This is a tragic situation but a very common one. Most workers keep their opinions to themselves for fear of being labelled a boat rocker.  I have news for you.  A company who wants to maximize the potential of its staff and reap the benefits of their collective wisdom must encourage people to be boat rockers. Boat rockers are a valuable asset to any company or organization.  Isn’t it sad that they are considered liabilities?  It is in the best interest of any company to encourage people to give their opinions whether they are dissenting or not.  No one person has a monopoly on wisdom, insight or correct thinking. We are richer when we access the attributes of the group.

 When you consider these 5 workplace dis-eases and their negative impact on your business or organization you will be hard pressed to find a more effective, cost efficient solution than a program including humour, laughter, appreciation and praise.  They fit together like hand and glove and are very simple to implement. All you need is a commitment from upper management and a few training sessions to teach the hows and whys of such a program. Once you have your people on board you will be able to see your workplace culture improve significantly.

 

Mike Moore speaks and writes on the power of humour, attitude and appreciation to help people in all walks of life maximize their unlimited potential and improve their relationships.

To consider Mike for a workshop or conference keynote visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?motplus

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7 Sure-fire Tips On Surviving Office Parties By Mike Moore

                                      

Each year businesses and organizations throughout North America have office parties or staff barbeques to celebrate a special season or to thank employees for jobs well done. While they can be fun they can also be dangerous to your personal and professional image. Many a reputation has been tarnished or severely damaged by not knowing office party survival skills.

I frequently speak to businesses throughout Canada and the USA on Humour in the Workplace, Stress Management, and Dealing with Difficult People and my experience has taught me that the office party can be risky, stressful and a threat to your job security if you don’t have the necessary coping skills. 

But never fear for I am about to offer you 7 sure-fire tips on how to survive while still having a great time.

1. Don’t get drawn into destructive conversations about the boss.  You can listen and say, “That’s interesting. I didn’t realize you felt that way.”  Whatever you do don’t agree with a toxic comment or get involved in a toxic dialogue.

2.  Don’t let your hair down at an office party.  You aren’t among close friends who love and admire you in spite of your shortcomings.  There are some present who might consider you a threat and are just looking to identify and exploit a chink in your armour.

3.  If you take a drink make sure you make it last a long time by taking small sips.  Alcohol loosens lips and at an office party your lips should not be loosened. You don’t need your supervisor calling you into their office the next day saying that they heard from the grapevine that you had some negative and unkind words to say about them or others at the party.

4.  Be careful what you contribute to party conversations.  People under the influence of alcohol can easily distort what you say when they filter it through an alcohol induced haze.   Once you say something you can’t take it back.

5.  Throughout the party roam around taking in everything.  Be friendly, smile, listen and monitor your mouth.

6.  Don’t gossip about other staff members. While you might be curious to know more don’t appear to be too eager. Just listen. And then keep your mouth shut. You don’t want to get a reputation for being someone who takes delight in spreading gossip about others. Remember that speaking ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves.  If you feel a keen desire to speak about someone say something affirming and positive.

7.  Don’t flirt. It’s just too risky especially if your partner is at the party with you or jealousy from someone else raises its ugly head.

Do these simple things and have a great time.

Mike Moore speaks and writes on the subject of humour and stress management. You can check him out at http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks

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My Dad's Secret to Being Charming

I remember asking my Dad, when I was 16, how I could become charming. I must admit that my motives were hormonally inspired at the time, but what he said to me has affected my life and relationships ever since. He looked at me and said, "Son, you become charming by making another person feel better about themselves when they are with you." What wisdom!

With my Dad's wisdom ringing in my ears I offer you a few suggestions on how to do just that- make someone feel better about themselves when in your company.

* Be alert for any chance to praise another. William James once said that we all have an insatiable appetite to be appreciated.

* Be fun to be with. Fun has a bonding power over human being. We want to be with people who make us laugh

* Be genuinely concerned about what's going on in the life of the other. When we genuinely love and care about others they find us charming and appealing and are more willing to return the feeling.

* Suspend your agenda in the interest of the others.

* Encourage and affirm your friend at every opportunity. We are the products of those who affirm and encourage us and those who never do.

* Listen twice as much as you talk. That's why we have been given two ears and one mouth.

* Give genuine compliments frequently. It was is Mark Twain who said that he can live for a month on just one compliment.

* Accept the person as they are and not as you want them to be. Our task on earth is to become our best selves not a mirror image of anyone else.

* Ask questions and listen to their answers. There is a difference between prying and being interested. I was once told that my wife, Carol, was a remarkable conversationalist. When I asked Carol for her secret she said that she just asks questions and listens carefully to their answers.

* Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is attractive. It makes us feel good about the one filled with enthusiasm and the ones basking in its glow.

* Be a friend without conditions. We have all heard and used the term," unconditional love" but have we committed ourselves to the reality? It is the most powerfully magnetic term in the universe. And will attract people to you like moths to a flame.

There is nothing more flattering or rare than the undivided attention of another. When you give your undivided attention to another they willingly give you their friendship and support in return. Remember, it is more important to be interested than interesting.

Mike Moore is a Canadian motivational speaker committed to the application of Laughter and Positive Attitude on self improvement and human relationships. Want to know more about Mike and his work visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks

Get your copy of Mike's best selling book Embracing the Mystery ( Living the Life you Want) http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?embracing

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Two Life Lesson Stories for the Telling

It's Just Impossible to Please Everyone

Long ago on a small farm outside a remote country village there lived a father and son who grew vegetables to earn their living.

Each Saturday morning they would take their produce, by donkey, to the local market about 2 miles away.

One Saturday morning they both rode the donkey to the market with the produce on their backs. The people on route looked at the father and son on the donkey and said, "Look at the two of them riding that poor donkey to market. How lazy they are."

The next Saturday the father rode the donkey and the son walked. Once again the people on route said, "Look at that lazy father riding while his poor son walks to the market."

On the next trip the son rode the donkey and the father walked and the people said, "Look at that lazy boy riding the donkey to market while his poor father walks."

The father and son decided to do something different the following Saturday. They carried the donkey tied by its feet to a pole each end placed on their shoulders. The produce was carried on their backs.

On their way to market they overheard the people say, "Look how they treat that poor donkey and they had the local constable charge the father and son with cruelty to animals.


A Random Act of Kindness

A second year university student had reluctantly taken a part time job selling door to door to make ends meet. He didn't like the job but the pay was good and he certainly needed the money.
One afternoon while selling in a nice middle class neighborhood he decided to forget his pride and ask the person in the next house if they could spare a bite to eat.
When the door opened he quickly decided against it and just asked for a glass of water.
The woman of the house smiled and disappeared into the kitchen returning within seconds with a plate of freshly made chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk.
When the young man asked what he owed her for the wonderful snack she said, "We don't charge for kindness in this house."


Years later this same woman became very ill and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. When the specialist entered the Emergency room to examine her he recognized her immediately. She was the milk and cookies lady from his days as a salesman.

The treatment he prescribed was effective and within a couple of days she was ready to return home. Her only worry now was how she was going to pay the hospital bill.

Before leaving she went to the Billing office to find out the damage and discuss payment options. When she got there she was handed a note and told that the bill had been paid in full with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. When she opened the note it read, "I don't charge for kindness." It was signed A Hungry College Student from your past.

Mike is a popular speaker who employs both humour and storytelling to get his message across. These two stories are from his Life Lesson collection" Tell Me a Story" http://www.mikemoorespeaks.com

For more stories like these visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?storyoffer

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The Power of Positive Thought

The Awesome Power of Positive Thought

We all know that positive thoughts and visualization are really effective when it comes to re-educating our subconscious mind and changing our behavior. 

My interest in the life changing power of positive thought and visualization started in my mid-twenties (quite a few years ago) when I picked up a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s best seller “ The Power of Positive Thinking”. 

 I didn’t just read this book with interest and enthusiasm, I devoured it and followed its suggestions to the letter.

I recall posting quotations and affirmations on my bathroom mirror so I could read and repeat them while I shaved each morning.  I memorized them and recited them while I drove to work. I pictured myself being what I envisioned.  The process soon became an enjoyable habit.

Slowly I, and my wife, began to notice changes appear in my attitudes and behavior. I emphasize the word slowly here because things just didn’t change overnight. But change they did.

Years of worry, fear, anxiety, negativity and impatience just don’t disappear with the reading of one book. But the journey to peace, calmness and joy had definitely begun and results were apparent quite quickly.

In the intervening years I have continued to learn a great deal more about the power of positive thought to transform individual lives and even the world in which we live.  

Great progress has been made  in the area of mind /body research by people like Wayne Dyer, Herbert Benson, Deepak Chopra,  Lynn McTaggart, Dr. Bernie Seigel, Carl Simonton MD just to name a few. 

Their findings reveal a dimension to living positively that includes healing the body with the mind that goes beyond mere positive thinking.

On Positive Thoughts

I am the product of the thoughts I think therefore I choose to think positive thoughts. 

A Positive Attitude attracts people to you, is a major factor in good health and is vital to the achievement of peace of mind.  I commit to a positive attitude 

Pain in life is inevitable- misery is optional.

A sour face is the result of sour thoughts.                                                                  

Thoughts rule the world. Let positive, happy thoughts rule yours. 

We are what we think.

      All that we are arises 

      With our thoughts.

      With our thoughts 

      We make our world.

                                           Buddha 

Wisdom keeps you from making mistakes and comes from having made plenty of them. 

Optimism is a lot like electricity... nothing much happens without it. 

In our eagerness to give our children what we didn’t have as children we run the risk of not giving them the wonderful things we did have. MM

 

This article is an excerpt from Mike’s special report “121 Thoughts of Hope, Joy and Inspiration for Daily Living” (Quotations, Affirmations and Cartoons)   If thoughts rule the world make sure positive thoughts rule yours.

Commit to a new way of thinking and a new way of living.

Practical thoughts to transform your life     http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?121inspiresp   

The 7 Best Benefits of Worklace Humour

1. PROMOTES BONDING
Humor has been called " Social Glue" because of its power to bond people to one another. People do gravitate to those who laugh easily and have a great sense of humor. Just watch the next time someone in your organization tells a funny story about something that happened to them. Not only are people eager to listen to a funny story but the shared laughter seems to bring the group closer together. When a supervisor tells a funny self-deprecating story to his/ her department the resulting laughter seems to promote a, " hey, we're all in this together" attitude.
When you consider what organizations spend to send their employees on team building seminars cultivating a climate of humor makes a lot of financial sense. It is the ultimate team builder.

2. BANISHES BOREDOM
Humor and laughter tend to banish boredom and boredom has been identified as a destructive reality within a workplace. Laughter, by its very definition, implies fun and fun is never boring. I once asked a member of my audience if he liked his job. He replied, " No I hate it, but I do enjoy coming to work. When I asked him why he said, " The people I work with are a lot of fun to be with and we have a lot of laughs." The most tedious of jobs can be enjoyable if humor, and fun are present.

3. HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
Health, happiness and humor go hand in hand. When you have a workplace where people laugh easily and often chances are that you are going to have a health and happy workplace. a place where employees like to be. This kind of positive environment is conducive to high morale and high productivity. The fact that humor cuts stress in half and enhances our immune system adds to its value.

4. FOSTERS FLEXIBILITY
People with a good sense of humor and a ready laugh tend to be more flexible. They usually take their job seriously but not themselves and therefore are more open and receptive to the ideas of others. People who take themselves too seriously are often difficult to work with and inflexible. The term uptight comes to mind. When a company's supervisors or managers have a great sense of humor and take delight in the humor of other staff members they give people the freedom to try and the freedom to fail. When this is present comfort levels, and creative achievement are high. People can soar to great heights of creativity when they know that they are free to fail. Wisdom helps us avoid mistakes and comes from making a ton of them.

5. RELAXATION
Laughter cuts stress levels in half thus lessening employee anxiety. If stress is a major cause of absenteeism among employees it is vital to reduce stress and in the process decrease a high rate of absentees. People don't want to stay away from a place that is fun and people who are fun to be with. When absentees are reduced you save money. Laughter also impacts positively on the bottom line when you consider that happy people tend to be more productive.

6. REDUCING CONFLICT
Earlier in this article I mentioned that all workplace problems are people problems and if you solve people problems you solve workplace problems. Well humor goes a long way in the solution of the inevitable conflicts that arises in human relationships. People that laugh together like one another. You don't laugh with people you don't like. When conflict does arise among people who like one another it is more easily handled. You might get angry at someone you like but odds are you won't stay angry long and in no time you will be back enjoying one another. One thing you can count on when employing a humor program and that is that you will have increase co-operation and mutual support among your staff.

7. INCREASED ENERGY
Humor increases the oxygen levels in our blood resulting in increased energy. What organization couldn't use a dose of increased employee energy at specific times throughout the day. To illustrate my point consider for a moment how tired you feel after a week of hard work on the job. You come home on a Friday night worn out. All you want is a quiet, restful weekend doing as little as possible.

Just as you walk through the door your significant other tells you that you have been invited to a party that evening. You immediately make it clear that you DON"T want to go. After being convinced that a party is just what you need you give in. At 1:00 a.m you return from the party. It was a lot of fun with a great deal of laughter and good company. You get into bed and you can't get to sleep. You are filled with energy and sleep is impossible. What happened to the fatigue that was plaguing you hours earlier?

CONCLUSION
When you consider workplace dis-ease and its negative impact on your business or organization you will be hard pressed to find a more effective, cost efficient solution than a program including humor, laughter, appreciation and praise. They fit together like hand and glove and are very simple to implement. All you need is a commitment from upper management and a few training sessions to teach the hows and whys of such a program. Once you have your people on board you will be able to see your workplace culture improve significantly.

Mike Moore is an international authority on humor in the workplace and humor and health. For 18 of Mike's original workplace cartoons FREE visit his website at
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?begin
To enquirer about having Mike speak to your group visit http://www.mikemoorespeaks.com

Tips on Giving Speeches and Toasts at Weddings People will Enjoy and Remember

           Tips on Giving Speeches and Toasts at Weddings People will Enjoy and Remember

You are probably asking yourself what motivated a professional speaker to write a report on speaking tips and toasts at wedding receptions.  I guess it is the result of attending receptions that I felt could use a bit of help in this department.

Wedding receptions are a wonderful part of our lives. They allow us to come together to meet friends and celebrate new beginnings with their families.  When I was younger it was the weddings of close friends that we attended.  Now we are going to the weddings of our friends’ children. The great circle of life continues. For the most part they are enjoyable experiences, but the receptions are frequently experiences of frustration and a little tension.

I am sure that you, like me, have sat through receptions that made you say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!  The speeches went on forever and were often painful to listen to. 

With this in mind I offer you my suggestions to help improve the quality of the talks and the toasts at you wedding. 

                                                                         Speech Preparation Outline                 

 1. Think about the objective of your speech (What do you want to accomplish?)  Do you want to thank them, praise them, welcome the bride or groom into the family?  You must establish this before you continue.

2.  List the 3 or 4 key points you want to get across.  Don’t list too many. You don’t have all night.

3.  List one or two well-chosen stories to illustrate your key points. Practice the stories so you can tell them well and effectively without relying too heavily on your notes.

                                                          How to Deliver a Dynamite Speech

* Prepare your speech thoroughly and practice before you deliver it.                              

* Always look at the audience when speaking. Don’t look down at your notes.

* Don’t read your talk. Give it.  You can use cards with key points and story clues to assist you.

* Speak clearly. Don’t mumble.

* Act as if you were born to deliver this speech. Remember the “Act as If” principle.  If you act the way you want to be you will become the way you act.  So if you act confidently when speaking you will become confident.

* Smile. Look as if you are really enjoying yourself and that delivering this speech is not only an honor but a pleasure as well.

* Use proper grammar.  Have someone go over your speech with you beforehand.  There is nothing worse than hearing someone giving a speech and using something like “Billy and me didn’t do nothing...”

* Be yourself, of course, but be your best self.

* Avoid sarcastic humor in your speech. You are not there to hurt or insult others.

* Affirm and compliment the bride and groom throughout your talk.

* Avoid getting laughs by telling those present how much you and the groom can drink or how often you have seen one another throw up after a night of partying.

 I promise that if you follow these few simple tips your speech/toast will touch the hearts of those present and will remembered with fondness for a long time.

 

This is a brief excerpt from my Special Report “Wedding Talks and Toasts.” In it you will find terrific tips pertaining to the role of Master/ Mistress of Ceremonies, How to select an MC, and how to deliver a dynamite speech.  I also offer suggestions on how to put humor into your speech that makes people laugh but doesn’t offend and how to propose terrific toasts. Specific examples are also provided for your use.

http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?wedding

The Art of Confident Conversation By Mike Moore

When I first started speaking for a living I had great difficulty with one-on-one conversation with members of my audience. I could speak before 2500 people and enjoy every minute of it, but when I was expected to mix and mingle my tongue became all thumbs. I decided to get to work
improving my conversation skills and researched the topic thoroughly. My efforts paid off for now I can speak with anyone, anywhere for any length of time. Let me share with you what I learned.

* There are three fundamental principles upon which good conversation is based. 1. It is better to be interested than interesting 2. There is nothing as flattering as the undivided attention of another human being. 3. People long to talk about their favourite topic which is "themselves." Keep these in mind and you can't fail in becoming a great conversationalist.

* Assume the responsibility for starting and maintaining the conversation.
* I usually begin with a friendly " Hi, I'm Mike Moore and I'm from Canada" Usually the response is " Hello, Mike I am ____________ and I'm from___________. (Away you go.)
* Use the person's name throughout the conversation. It shows that you're interested in and focussed on the other.
* Let the other be the centre of attention.
* Show a genuine interest in the one you're speaking with. Maintain eye contact.
* Ask questions that require more than a one word answer.
* When you ask a question listen attentively to the answer and be quick to ask another question arising from the response to the first. You learn what to say by listening carefully to what was said.
* Put the other at ease by smiling and nodding frequently throughout the conversation.
* Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

* Don't feel the need to disagree until you get to know the person better.

GREAT CONVERSATION PHRASES
* " That's interesting. Tell me more."
* " Give me an example of what you mean."
* " How would you like to see it turn out?"
* "How did you feel when that happened to you?"

CONVERSATION STARTERS
* Give a compliment.
* Ask for advice.
* Seek help with something.
* Give praise.
* Seek an opinion.
I keep six honest servants
They taught me all I know.
Their names are what and why and when
And how and where and who.
R. Kipling

This is an excerpt from Mike Moore’s booklet How to Overcome Shyness and Connect with People available from http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?shyness
Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential, motivation and humour. http://www.motivationalplus.com


 

Self Improvement: How to Attract Terrific People to Your Life

Attracting Terrific People to Your Life  By Mike Moore
I remember asking my Dad, when I was 16, how I could become charming. I must admit that my motives were hormonally inspired at the time, but what he said to me has effected my life and relationships ever since. He looked at me and said, " Son, you become charming by making another person feel better about themselves when they are in your company." What wisdom!
With my Dad's wisdom ringing in my ears I offer you a few suggestions on how to do just that- make someone feel better about themselves when in your company.
* Be alert for any chance to praise another.
* Be fun to be with.
* Be genuinely concerned about what's going on in the life of the other.
* Suspend your agenda in the interest of the other's.
* Encourage and affirm your friend at every opportunity.
* Listen twice as much as you talk.
* Give genuine compliments, frequently.
* Accept the person as they are and not as you want them to be.
* Ask questions and listen to their answers. There is a difference between prying and being interested.
* Be enthusiastic. There is a bonding power  to enthusiasm.
* Be a friend without conditions.
There is nothing more flattering or rare than the undivided attention of another.
It is more important to be interested than interesting.

This is a brief excerpt from Mike's Special Report "How to Unleash Your Potential" ( A Guide to Confident Living) Get Your Copy  Here

Mike Moore is a Canadian pro speaker who speaks on Humour, Attitude and Human Potential.
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Living Life to the Fullest: Enlightened Maladjustment By Mike Moore

 

 

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New Story:Now this is Positive Thinking

Attributed to Leo Buscaglia , The Love Doctor

 

On my way home one day, I stopped to

watch a Little League base ball game that was being played in a

park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-

base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was

'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered

With a smile.

 

'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you

don't look very discouraged.'

 

'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a

Puzzled look on his face...

 

'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't

Been up to bat yet.'

 

Click Here for more on thinking positively

 

Golf Cartoon

 

 

Moore Cartoons

Cartoon on Free Will

 

 

Moore Cartoons

 

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Never Be Boring Again: How to Tell a Story

You all know how much I, as a speaker/teacher, value the power of a story. It gets your point across, engages your audience, entertains and helps them recall you and your content.

Stories also help a speaker/teacher/presenter avoid what I call CONTENT PARALYSIS. They enable you to present loads of good content  in a interesting and palatable manner. Your audience will never be bored when you tell them stories.

Here is an example of  what I mean. I was giving a presentation to a social service group in Elliot Lake ON Canada and used this story in the process.

Observe it carefully and see what you can learn and apply the next time you are asked to speak to a group.
http://tinyurl.com/l45gpbk


REMEMBER... "Their minds can absorb what their asses can endure."  Tell them Stories.

How to Find the Comedy in Your Chaos.

Take a Peek

If it feels good to laugh then laugh to feel good. Mike Moore

 

 

Live Long; Laugh Often

We Must Be Assertive!

We must love ourselves enough to be assertive when necessary. Mike Moore
Check it out.

New Cartoon on the Meaning of Life

Moore Cartoons

 

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3 Funny Oneliners

 Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

 I know there is no life on Mars. It has never shown up on my daughter’s phone bill.

 The problem with being punctual is there’s no one around to appreciate it.

For 101 funny Oneliners Click Here.

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A How To Cartoon for Males

Anyone else guilty of this??

 

More Moore Cartoons

 

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New Friendship Cartoon

Need a fun speaker with a GREAT Message? Click Here

 

More Moore Cartoons

Great for family/staffroom fridge doors

New Business Cartoon

For More Moore Cartoons Visit Here

 

 

 

Cartoons are great for newsletters, memos, staffroom bulletin boards and fridge doors.



Tips for Fantastic Wedding Toasts and Speeches

I wrote this report because I was tired of attending wedding receptions and listening to toasts and speeches that were often offensive, far too long, filled with inside jokes that only the wedding party understood and delivered by half in the bag  people in a locker room style.
I thought that I, as a speaker, could offer ideas and suggestions to improve the situation significantly.


In this special report I have  included every possible player in the wedding reception process.  You will find tips pertaining to...

* The role of  Master/ Mistress of Ceremonies,

* How to select an MC,

* How to deliver a dynamite speech.

* How to insert humor into your speech

* How to propose terrific toasts.

*  Examples are also provided for your use

Check it out here

New Cartoon: He bought a WHAT!!!

 

 

More Moore Cartoons to make you smile

Teacher Cartoon: Importance of Punctuation

      Mike's Teacher Resource Page

( FREE Storytelling Gift for Teachers)

FREE Ebook for Teachers " Tell Me A Story"

Hi. I would like to offer teachers a free copy of my very popular teacher e-book " Tell Me A Story" ( 30 Life Lesson Stories for Teachers) To download your free copy VISIT HERE

15 Strategies on How to Use Appreciation and Praise to Improve Your Relationships

While doing some research for a seminar on maximizing human potential I came upon this interesting piece of information. Appreciation and praise are more powerful motivators in the lives of people than sex and money. I always knew that appreciation and praise were powerful motivators, but I didn't realize just how powerful. More than sex and money?????

Here are 15 strategies to help you improve your relationships and start on your journey to achieve your unlimited and untapped social potential.
      
1. Listen more than you talk. There is nothing more affirming than the undivided attention of another.

2. Always use the first name of the person you are addressing.

3. Be polite and respectful.

4. Ask for solutions to job-related problems and then use the suggestions given.

5. Don't give orders. Ask nicely.

6. Be positive.

7.  Be generous with encouragement and affirmation. If you find it difficult to express affirmation and encouragement face to face then write notes of appreciation.

8. Apologize when you have been impatient, sarcastic etc. It will happen. You're only human.

9. Always correct someone in private and never when angry.                                                       

10. Give credit; don't take credit.

11. Laugh with the people you work with.

12. Keep your people informed.

13. Be flexible.

14. Ask about their lives outside of work. Ask about their children, hobbies etc. There is a huge difference between being interested and prying.

15. Smile a lot. There is great bonding power in a smile.

This is a small sample from  my popular ebook " Unleash Your Potential" ( The Art of Confident Living)   To check out the entire e-book visit here

New Cartoon: Hiring / Facebook photo

 

For more Mike Moore Cartoons Click Here 

My Island of Peace in a Chaotic World

As many of you know I earn my living speaking throughout Canada and the USA on Humour and Human Wellness. Frequently I get so wrapped up in my work that I have to stop and take my own advice. I have to stop and smell the roses.

That's what I did recently in one of the most beautiful and relaxing settings on earth for me... a friend's farm in the heart of Ontario Canada's Ottawa Valley.

I sat out on their deck one morning overlooking the valley as the morning sun gently caressed the meadow and a mother bluebird eagerly fed her young at one of the bluebird boxes rimming the field. As I sat there soaking up the peace and solitude I became acutely aware of a different rhythm, one of calmness and oneness with the natural world.

I was reminded of the words of Sigurd Olson, the nature writer, who once said that we all need listening points on the earth where we can slow down and listen to the rhythms of the universe.

This pleasant farm near the little country town of Beachburg Ontario is one of my listening points. It's a place filled with fond memories of country music jam sessions, shared laughter and shared pain.

It is also a place of peace, hope and comfort as the stillness of the valley eagerly wraps it arms around those who take time to rest and receive the message that life indeed is good and love is abundant and eternal.
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mystery

How to Overcome Shyness By Mike Moore

                             

The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness is DESIRE. You must want to, badly.

POSITIVE SELF TALK

To begin the process of overcoming shyness we must begin talking to ourselves about ourselves in a more positive way. Instead of defining ourselves negatively we must define ourselves positively.

Tell yourself that...

* I am equal in dignity to anyone else.

* I have a lot to offer other people.

* People are not my enemies.

* I am intelligent and nice to be with.

* I can do anything I put my mind to.

* I am loveable and capable just the way I am right now.

 

Many times through the day stop and say something like, "Every day, in every way, I am becoming more comfortable speaking with people."

 

REMEMBER... that every person is a unique gift. There is no other person like you on the planet. There has never been another like you. There will never be another like you. So treat yourself like the rare, unique, precious gift that you are.

 

This is a brief excerpt from Mike's Special Report "How to Overcome Shyness and Connect with People"

 

Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential, motivation and humour.

 

Take Up Golf to Relax????? CARTOON

53 Natural Stress Busters for only $5.00

 

We live across the road from a golf course and let me tell you...GOLF IS NOT RELAXING!

 

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

WHY HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE

WHY HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE

by Mike Moore

1. Humor in the workplace reduces stress levels and stress is the number one problem confronting employees today.

2. Laughter boosts morale while stress erodes staff morale. It is in the best interest of any business to invest in the happiness of its employees. Laughter is an effective barometer of just how happy your people are.

Free Stress Busting Audio HERE

3. Keeping things in perspective tends to boost morale and humor helps us keep things in perspective.

4. Workplace humor helps facilitate change. Change is inevitable and people who laugh well and often tend to be more flexible and adaptable.

5. Communication improves when humor is used appropriately. The timely use of humor can get a point across effectively and assists in the process of problem solving.

6. Laughter and humor in the workplace relieve boredom and increase creative energy.

7. Humor builds confidence. When we laugh at ourselves we are less rigid and more spontaneous. We tend to bounce back more quickly when negative things happen. Humor also makes us less fearful of making mistakes and more confident about overcoming setbacks.

8. Laughter and humor promote positive relationships. When you hear a funny story your first impulse is to tell someone and share the laughter. When laughter is shared a natural bonding takes place.

9. Humor promotes happiness and joy. It's good to be alive.

10. Quality relationships are measured by the amount of laughter present. When relationships are good, people laugh a lot. The same applies to businesses. When employees enjoy one another and laugh easily and often, we see performance improve and profits increase.

11. The humor I speak of here must never be based on laughing at someone, racism, sexism, put downs, sarcasm or ridicule. These forms of humor are destructive attempts at making one look good by making another look and feel badly. There is enough good humor to last a lifetime. Just look for it.

THEY WHO LAUGH............LAST.

This is an excerpt from  Mike's latest e-book "Thank God It's Monday" ( Humor in the Workplace)

GET A COPY  of the complete 40 page report   HERE

HOW TO STOP WASTING PRECIOUS TIME by Mike Moore

Twenty four hours a day minus the eight hours we sleep leaves

us with 16 productive hours to accomplish things that need to

be done at home and at work. Of these 16 hours, a lot of time

is wasted due to distractions, interruptions and

disorganization. We just don't manage our

time well.


THE TOP SIX TIME WASTERS


1. Television: We average four hours a day watching

television. If we live to be 72 it works out to 12 solid years

wasted watching TV. This doesn't include time spent on the

internet. SOLUTION? Go on frequent television fasts.


2. Emailing back and forth: Email becomes time consuming when

you consider how often we check it and how frequently we are

involved in sending back and forth messages. A survey was done

by the American Management Association with these results: Of

the 400 business managers polled.....35% use email to

communicate with clients...26% prefer the phone...15% would

rather have face to face meetings. Interesting results when

you consider the time email consumes.


3. Junk mail of the traditional kind. Too much time is wasted

opening and then trashing unwanted mail.


4. Drop in visits: When you are in your office with the door

open you are an open invitation to those with nothing better

to do to drop in for a chat. When they do, they eat up a lot

of your precious time. SOLUTION? Keep your door closed. If you

don't want to close your door arrange

your desk in such a way that people passing by can't see you

and drop in for a visit.


5. Reading every word of every document that crosses your

desk. We are living in the age of information and it seems

that much of it ends up on your desk each day demanding your

attention. If you don't learn how to scan it quickly and

either discard it or place it in your " for further

study" pile you will end up overwhelmed and stressed.


6. Phone calls that are too long and too frequent. Some people

just won't get off the phone and let you get back to work.

SOLUTION? Let people know that it is a bad time and then give

them a better time to call when you can spare a FEW minutes.

Before they call back get an egg timer and put it on your

desk. As soon as their call comes in get the egg timer going

and then see if you are able to bring the conversation to a

conclusion within the three minutes provided by the timer.


The message is clear....TAKE BACK YOUR TIME.

For more on living the life you want t live Click Here