Cheers, Creative Enthusiasts,
I am writing you on the other side of attending and presenting at a conference about relationships and communication in Columbus, Ohio. I attended this conference last year and loved it! This year there was a majorly important difference than last year from my end: I created from scratch and presented two communication-related workshops! What an honor! I find myself wanting to help others on their respective journeys through life and love any way that I can – doing my part to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. So I applied to present at this year’s conference. The difference this year is I have more experience, more time, and truly valuable skills and wisdom to share – both due to my own life adventures, and also because I am mid-way through a coaching certification program. Yay!
Lo and behold, I was accepted. So in August, I turned my spidey senses on high gear, and took notes of my favorite techniques at workshops I attended at such epic events such as World Domination Summit and my IPEC Coaching training. From September through show-time, I worked on my two workshops – conceiving them, doing research, planning the welcome bag handouts, creating the complementary PowerPoint decks, and allowed time to practice. I wanted these workshops to have as high impact as I could make them! Last Sunday, I presented the workshops at my home four times to practice in front of a small live audience. They gave me GREAT feedback and valuable insights.
Take note: Passion, integrity, a good cause, and the desire to help can propel us all to achieve more. In times like these, we need to stick together and help each other. Nothing was going to stop me from rocking these workshops – I was as laser-focused as I could be. In the end, I was pleased with the results. Nothing beats someone telling you “your presentations were so helpful and right on point with a lot of the challenges we are going through right now.” YES!!!! Another couple told me how much they loved the workshops, that my slides were beautiful, and they loved all of the participation I incorporated. I’m SO GLAD! That makes it ALL worthwhile. Let’s do it again! Whoot!
Two of the books that I used as reference to conceive, create, and present my two workshops.
I did a ton of research to create these workshops. Three books that helped me immensely are below. I found that creating a great workshop can be truly an art!:
HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations by Nancy Duarte (recommended to me by expert speaker and science-based people skills expert Vanessa Van Edwards – THANKS!)
Power of Participation by Adrian Segar (recommended to me by Joel Zaslofsky – THANKS!)
Presentation Zen Design: Simple Design Principles and Techniques to Enhance Your Presentation by Garr Reynolds (found this one mah-self)
The Workshop Welcome Baggies: Before (contents only – left) and After (assembled – right).
To create something truly awesome, no one does it alone. Never under-estimate the power of community! Therefore I want to give extra special thanks to Ellen Watkins, Rick Clemons, Shadeen Francis, Frank Macri, Mark Schall, Ryan Mantione, Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, Billy Holder, Bob Harrell, Gena Seroogy, Jeanne Broadwell, Robert Torres, Eric Olson and to all of the attendees to my workshops (both the practice runs at my home and the live workshops). I could not have done this without you and all of your help. I appreciate it more than you know, and am forever grateful. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever help you in your endeavors as well. I'm ready, willing and able!
_____________________________________
Can I help create your promotional materials for your important, world changing mission or business, or help you with your new website launch, branding, T-shirt or invitation design? I invite you to contact me so that I can offer a free consultation and price quote for any of your design needs. Have an awesome week and happy creating!
To your creative endeavors!
Onward and upward.
Cathy Broadwell
Giant Leaps Creative LLC