by Norma Thatcher | Feb 13, 2018 | Public speaking, Words
In my role as a speech coach and presentation skills instructor, I’m on a never-ending hunt for new material and ideas. Not willing to rely primarily on old standard public speaking instruction, I search for new studies on how a speaker can best engage with an...
by Norma Thatcher | Dec 26, 2017 | Christmas, Inspirational, Public speaking
The day after Thanksgiving I make a 45 minute drive to Loweland Farm in Middleburg, Virginia, to purchase my Christmas tree. They are open for tree sales exactly seven days (Thanksgiving Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the first two weekends in December). A...
by Norma Thatcher | Nov 21, 2017 | Inspirational, Leadership, Public speaking
After thousands of complaints poured in regarding my post about Dale and Andrew Carnegie…nope, just kidding…no one complained. The topic of that post came up because of a great story my friend Jan Sutton shared with me. Jan has been a business owner as a Farmers...
by Norma Thatcher | Nov 4, 2017 | Inspirational, Public speaking, Thought provoking
Have you ever given any thought as to why an image of a light bulb (usually lit) is a visual metaphor or graphic symbol of a great idea or a spark of creativity? Some experts turn to Edison’s 1879 patent of the first electric bulb. Citing the incandescent bulb as one...
by Norma Thatcher | Oct 10, 2017 | Inspirational, Leadership, Public speaking, Thought provoking
When’s the last time you were afraid? Actually and truly afraid. I don’t mean when you felt anxiety or nervousness. I’m talking about the heart-racing, I-can’t-think-or-breathe kind of fear that makes you feel sick to your stomach. When I ask that question of my...
by Norma Thatcher | Oct 3, 2017 | Public speaking, Thought provoking
Being a strongly visual person, I like to sit near the front of any event, whether that’s a church service, a motivational talk, or other presentation. Sitting close to the speaker doesn’t necessarily enable me to hear better, especially if the speaker is using a...
