By Linda Grayless CPIW, DAE, AINS, AIS, API, ACSR, CSM
This saying comes from home décor I once had hanging on my wall. But if you think about it, what if we approached each day as a gift?
Something special given just to you—for your pleasure—without strings. So, untie the ribbon. What emotions are unleashed with one tug? Anticipation, curiosity, excitement, joy, disappointment?
Are you the person who opens gifts ever so slowly? Running your finger under the tape so not to tear the paper? Savoring every minute of the process. Or are you the type who just rips into it, hurrying to see what the gift has? Maybe you are a shaker first. Does the manner in which you open your gifts reflect the way you view your day?
Do you begin slowly, taking in every detail, savoring every minute? Noticing the smell of fresh brewed coffee, seeing how the sun shines through the trees as you drive to work. Truly seeing the people you greet, observing happy smiles or frowns. Do you listen to the response when you ask about their wellbeing? Or do you approach the day with an eagerness to get to the “good stuff” at the heart of the day. Rushing to work, not recalling if the lights were red or green, blind to the world around you?
What do you do with the gift once it’s opened? Do you share it? Let others see it? Experience the joy it brings you? Or do you keep it to yourself, hide it away, treasure it in your heart only? No matter what way you choose to open your gift—experience your gift, untie that ribbon. Remember it was given to you, something special just for you. Just one tug can release more than you ever expected. For your pleasure without strings. Every day is a gift, you just have to untie the ribbon.
In 2009 I took Confidence While Communicating. The ‘gift’ speech above was my first three-minute speech I presented to the class. I remember writing the speech, but not necessarily presenting it. When you take the course other students complete an evaluation form and you then have the opportunity to review and read the feedback. I used a gift box as a visual aid and “throwing the box was a little distracting” was one of the comments I received.
Fifteen years later, I am still practicing and using the techniques I learned from that course. It isn’t all about public speaking and competing, there are portions that gave me tidbits on how to conduct meetings, which as a project manager came in handy on multiple occasions.
The one-minute impromptu speech gives you the confidence to answer questions when you have been put on the spot. The structure for speech writing gives you the skills to organize your thoughts in order to create communication pieces. It could be a blog submission, request for a promotion, a newsletter article, or even the family Christmas letter.
VTAIP is presenting the course virtually beginning September 30. The signup can be found on the IAIP Community Calendar. The course is a total of 10 hours, and you will have homework as you prep for the next class. It was and is the best investment I ever made on any coursework through IAIP.
Accept IAIP’s everyday gift to you to improve your communication skills. Untie that ribbon!
Linda Grayless is the Region V Vice President. She recently retired from 31 years of working for American National Insurance Company.
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