Time is the most precious gift that you can give to the people in your life. Plus, you can’t get it back once given. Sometimes we forget why we are in relationships with people, especially people that ask for a lot of our time or worse yet we don’t even like anymore!

Q: How can you tell if a relationship has gotten too complex?
A: I call it the “Smile Rule”. If thinking about that person makes you smile then there’s no problem, but if instead you let out a big “Sigh” then that’s an instantaneous sign you need to simplify that relationship.

Q: What are some ways to simplify a relationship?
A: In every relationship the common denominator is you. You need to start by identifying what’s important to you. If you have values or goals that this relationship does not support, then you must decide if the relationship is worth keeping. If it is, then communicate what’s important to you, what you value about the relationship and how they can support you. You also need to be prepared to set firm boundaries to stay true to your values or on track with your goals.

For example, if you are dieting and a good friend keeps inviting you out to happy hours, where you know you might be at risk for overindulging, you can follow these steps to manage that relationship. Remind your friend that being healthy is important to you and ask them to support your efforts and invite you for a walk in the park instead.

Q: What are some simple things we can do every day to enhance our relationships?
A: Make time and if necessary put it on your calendar. Remember why this person is important to you and tell them. Relationships require care and feeding as I like to call it. They can get complex from neglect too, so let the people in your life know how you feel!

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In This Issue

• Sarah’s Update
• Organization Tips
• About Sarah

Sarah’s Update

Moving Musings

They say that if you move three times it is the equivalent of having survived a house fire and starting over again. By that count, I have survived two fires and am heading towards number three!

I’ll be moving from Austin, TX later this Spring for less sweltering climates. My goal is to be able to look out my window to see forests and mountains. I’ll keep you posted on my progress, but for now I am leaning towards the Mid-Atlantic or Pacific Northwest regions of the country.

Let me know what area gets your vote. Just drop me a line at:sarah@worklifeorg.com

Society of Women Engineers - Region C Conference

The first weekend in February, I will present the SWE leadership module “Creative Problem Solving” at the SWE Region C Conference held in Dallas. I am honored to be one of two SWE Leadership Coaches for the region.

I really enjoy helping fellow SWE members boost their section vitality and have fun at the same time. Also being surrounded by so many brilliant women engineers always inspires me!

Organizational Tips

5 Effective Presentation Tips

Since I am currently preparing and practicing for an upcoming presentation, I wanted to share with you some of my top 5 presentation tips. These will help you to stay on track and to make the biggest impact with your audience.

1. Start Strong and Hook Your Audience - I like to start with a quote or ask a thought-provoking question. This sets the tone of your presentation and helps the audience answer for themselves, “Why should I listen?”
2. Use Stories and Word Pictures - Don’t just read your slide bullets, make your presentation points using visually descriptive stories to keep your audience mentally engaged.
3. Be Aware of Your Non-Verbals - Only a mere 7% of your message is conveyed in the words you use. The rest of your body language has to back up what you are saying so your message can sink in with your audience.
4. Close Strong and Summarize - If you have more than 3 points to convey you will have to summarize your presentation. This is especially true if you want your audience to take specific action afterwards.
5. Question and Answers - Don’t treat this time as an afterthought. Make this a chance to reinforce major points and to confirm your audience’s understanding.

One final thought- Try not to overwhelm your audience with too much detail, save that for your handouts. People can only put 7 items into short term memory at a time. Try to limit your presentation to 3 main points and don’t be afraid to repeat them often to help the audience remember.

About Sarah

Sarah Kirkish is a Certified Life Coach and Professional Organizer with over 18 years of corporate project management experience. She understands the needs of both business and technical professionals with her background in engineering and business. Sarah brings a straightforward approach to hold her clients accountable, keep them focused and guide them to measurable success towards their personal goals.

I conduct organizational coaching by phone or in person. My goal is to help busy professionals simplify their lives from the inside out. The solution is usually somewhere in between, let’s find it together!

www.worklifeorg.com sarah@worklifeorg.com
(877)755-5335

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