Coaching people to understand and leverage the power of their communication is a fascinating way to make a living. In most of these sessions, I find that I gain as much insight as my clients do. Our internal communication, the dialogue we have with ourselves can be uplifting and inspiring, yet it can also be humbling and filled with despair. I had the latter experience recently.

I’d waited for months for this speaking engagement before a group of business owners and entrepreneurs. My notes for the presentation and the “flow” of my message were spot-on; or so I thought! After 45 minutes, very few came up to thank me for my words, and you could have heard a pin drop when I implored them to turn in evaluation forms. I can laugh about it now but at the time it was terribly demoralizing. My internal conversation (OK, it was more like an internal lecture) centered on my perceived failure to meet my own standards of perfection. Silly, and yet it’s easy to identify with, isn’t it?

Have you ever had one of those moments? You know what you meant to say, or what you tried to say, but when the words came out they landed like a lead balloon? Even for a professional speaker, it happens. The key is to learn and leverage the lessons of the communication bumps in life’s road. In an hour, I’d re-crafted that speech, made the presentation leaner and focused entirely on my audience, rather than on what I wanted to say.

Direct your communication on your audience. Focus on what they can learn from you, whether its one person or one thousand. Recognize as well, what you need to hear from yourself. Self-talk should be about empowerment! For some great resources on self-talk, check out my friend Lorri Molinari’s Web site at http://www.newbeginninglifecoach.com/

News and Updates

You may have noticed the new graphic atop our Faber Communications Web site page. Without spending too much time bragging, I am proud to announce that this newsletter has been awarded an APEX 2008 award for publication excellence. Only 18 awards in the Newsletters-Email category won from an international pool, so thank you to our devoted readership.

Check out the new pricing for Mike’s books and CD’s at http://www.mikefaber.com/cart.php

Mike was featured in the “Member Spotlight” section of the Denver Coach Federation’s online newsletter. See more by visiting http://www.denvercoach.com/Default.aspx?pageId=77206 and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Pre-order “The little book of BIG SALES IDEAS” and “The little book of BIG LEADERSHIP IDEAS” at http://www.mikefaber.com/cart.php.

See a preview chapter today at http://www.mikefaber.com/blog/

Mike around the United States

The Broadcast Your Best!™ 3-Step Story Process workbook is now available for purchase at http://www.mikefaber.com/cart.php. Learn how to Reflect, Connect and Apply your own powerful stories. If you’re in sales, leadership, speaking or coaching, this is a “must have” for your library. Just $19.95 per PDF file book, or $23.95 to purchase your print copy.

To book Mike for your next meeting, off-site or convention, call 877-262-2402. For details on upcoming events and presentations across the country, please visit http://www.mikefaber.com/work.php

If you cannot see this newsletter easily, click here http://www.mikefaber.com/news.php for the online version.

Mike Faber
Phone 720-851-5208 Toll Free (outside Colorado) 877-262-2402
On the Web www.mikefaber.com