| How to Be a Great Speaker Posted: 27 Feb 2017 04:00 PM PST There is a commonly cited statistic that people are generally more fearful of public speaking than they are of death. The idea of performing a speech in front of an attentive audience is a nerve-wracking concept for most people. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be. Being a great speaker is a skill that is learned just as much as any other. When you have a strong command of your voice and self-presentation, confidence with public speaking tends to fall into place. EditArticulating Your Voice - Listen to recorded speeches.[1] If you want to become a great speaker, you should first have an idea on what it means to be great. Famous speeches became that way in part because the speaker knew how to wring the most feeling and meaning out of what he was saying. Pay attention to the pauses they take, the words they emphasize, and the steady pace most famous speakers perform at. Public speaking is ultimately an art. There are countless ways you can perform the same speech.
- The most famous speeches of the 20th century are easy to access. Their iconic status also goes to show how much power a gifted speaker has to change peoples' minds.[2]
- Talk slowly.[3] As a public speaker, you should never feel the need to rush through a presentation. Because anxiety tends to make people speak much faster than they normally would, you should be aware of your rate of speech. Make a conscious point of speaking slowly. If your speech is happening at a more manageable rate, it will be easier for you to feel like you're in control.
- Speaking slowly does not mean speaking in a monotone. Just because you're taking your time doesn't mean you need to be boring. The best public speakers will keep a steady speaking pace and use that extra time to inject more expression into their act.
- Minimize filler words and stammering. Filler words include things such as "like" and "um". They are words that only exist in a live presentation because the speaker's mind need a second to catch up with the rest of the speech. Mishaps like this and other verbal slip-ups are most often the result of anxiety. While anxiety is totally natural and is to be expected, it's a good sign you need to slow down. A speaker speaking really slowly is better than one who is stuttering through important lines.
- If you need a moment to recollect yourself in the middle of your speech, you should allow yourself the time to pause.[4] While filler language only serves to detract from your presentation, a pause can be beneficial for the audience to digest what you've said so far as well.
- Emphasize or repeat particularly important lines.[5] Even if you have gone over every word of your speech with a fine-toothed comb, there are going to be lines that are most important to the central idea you're discussing. In the case of these especially important lines, it's crucial you bring added attention to them somehow. This can be done by saying them more slowly, more loudly, or repeating the same line twice. Your audience will immediately pick up on the tactic you used and will take extra care to remember that point.
- Express emotion through inflections. Although you may feel very anxious going into a speech, it may actually make things easier if you allow yourself the ability to connect emotionally with the topic and express yourself. Raising and lowering your voice to denote certain feelings can do a ton to engage an audience. As a general rule, people like to feel like they're being spoken to by a red-blooded human being. Acting like a robot may seem like a safe route if you're nervous about speaking, but you'll get a lot farther if you're candid with your audience.
- Avoid a monotone delivery. This approach is common with people who put too much emphasis into a rote memorization of the speech lines, and didn't leave room for an organic quality.
- Pause for effect. Much as with an emphasis technique on a given word, a well-placed silence can say a lot. Pauses are a good thing to place after a particularly heavy or important idea has been stated, or in between relatively unrelated points to serve as a sort of paragraph break. A pause also gives the audience a chance to show their appreciation. Even if you don't need the warmth, members of your audience will feel more confident in your abilities if they see other people in the crowd cheering you on.
- Interact with your audience.[6] Speeches can be memorized with enough time and practice, but a truly gifted orator will use parts of his speech as an opportunity to communicate directly to the audience. If an audience member has a question, it would be a wasted opportunity not to answer it. The audience will be impressed by your willingness to play off the books and interact seemingly spontaneously.
- An audience won't interact with a speaker unless some stakes have already been raised. You have to get an audience interested in what you're talking about if you want them to respond actively.[7]
- Trying to engage the audience yourself is always a risk. You can't control what an audience member will say, and you'll need to improvise a response to whatever they say. Worse still, getting no response from an audience will embarrass you as a presenter.[8]
EditMaximizing Your Body Language - Keep a firm posture.[9] A strong posture is one of the most telling signs of confidence. Suffice to say, it's a look you'll want to have whenever you're speaking publically. Keep your back straight, and your shoulders jutted outward. If you're someone who struggles with a slouched posture, it may take some time to reprogram yourself. However, after enough time doing it, you'll eventually do it without thinking.
- Allow yourself to express emotion through your face.[10] If you're nervous, your face will freeze up. Words alone only go so far in communication. The best speeches are emotionally hard-hitting, and it's intensified when the same feelings are being mirrored by the speaker. Whether rehearsed or not, matching facial expressions will lend your speech with a great air of authenticity.
- Stake a claim on your personal area.[11] Whether you're speaking on stage or something more casual, chances are there's a larger physical space you could be occupying. Even if you're the most riveting speaker, there is going to be a part of your audience that wants to be engaged visually as well. Getting your audience's eyes to follow you as you stride across the stage will make your presentation (and topic) feel all that more dynamic.
- If you're addressing the audience directly with someone, you should walk towards them on the stage. This creates an effect of urgency.[12]
- Scan your eyes across everyone you're speaking to.[13] Eye contact is essential if you want to foster a connection with the audience he's speaking to. This doesn't need to be a constant thing, and you don't need to make eye contact with each individual in the crowd. Instead, simply scanning your eyes around the your audience from side to side can instill a sense of interaction between the speaker and his attendees.
- Use gestures in tandem with what you're saying.[14] Body language is a powerful tool on the stage, but it's only worth as much as it relates to the topic you're speaking about. Think of hand waves and gestures as exclamation marks in your speech. By using your body as an additional form of communication, you can ride home your point on multiple levels.
- Keep your movements controlled.[15] Above all, you should keep every noticeable movement of your body under control when you are speaking. Many people will fidget and squirm when they're nervous. This isn't the sort of impression you want to get across if you intend on a successful presentation. Your body language should not be left up to whim or chance. If you're not comfortable with public speaking enough yet to balance the vocal presentation with purposeful body language, it is preferable to keep yourself completely still. Rest assured, unconscious movements are going to work against your presentation.
EditKnowing Your Words - Structure your speech with a beginning, middle and end.[16] Speeches are like oral essays. They tend to follow a similar format for the most part. If you're writing your speech yourself, you should try breaking it up into sections in order to better organize your points. Even if you haven't written the speech, it's a good idea to know what structural role each part represents. Generally speaking, virtually all speeches will have three parts:
- An introduction. This is where you will introduce either yourself or the topic that needs to be discussed.
- The main body and supporting points. This is where the details of your argument or discussion are fleshed out. This is by far the biggest part of a speech, and is analogous to all of the paragraphs in an essay between the first and last.
- Closing statements and summary. At the end, the audience will be looking for some closure to signal the speech's end. Take this as an opportunity to note the widespread implications of the topic, as well as a to-the-point recap of the ideas you explored in the main body.
- Include a take-home message. No matter how complex the subject you're talking about is, there should be a line or two from your speech that will be instantly memorable for anyone who is hearing it. This could be the thesis, or central point of what you're trying to say. A take-home message should preferably take the form of an applied request.[17] Telling your audience to do or reflect upon something on their own time will hopefully keep your audience attentive on your subject long after the presentation itself has ended.
- Any messages of particular importance should be spoken more boldly, more slowly, or repeated.
- Keep time in mind.[18] While great speakers will keep their speaking pace relaxed and take cares not to speed up, you should respect the time of your audience. There is no need to have a half-hour speech where all of the same points could be covered in 20 minutes. It's much easier to revise the speech itself than to try to speed through sections of your speech. If you think your speech could be shorter, give it a run through and decide for yourself which lines could be done without.
- Rehearse your speech.[19] Nothing great ever came about without hard work and practice. Rehearsing your speech is necessary if you want your audience to take something away from your presentation and take you seriously. Perform your speech in front of a mirror and pay attention to the way you look while you're speaking. It also helps to record yourself speaking. That way, you'll be able to see what you're doing right and wrong more clearly.
- It's a good idea to give your speech a run-through in front of a friend or family member before going live. That way, the other person can offer you feedback from a fresh perspective.
- Thank your audience once the speech is over.[20] Even if you're the one who is performing, your audience members are taking time out of their schedules to hear you speak about your topic. For this, they deserve some gratitude. Telling a crowd how much you appreciate lending their time to you will end your speech on a positive note of warmth.
- Public speaking doesn't come naturally to many people. It's something you'll probably have to spend some serious time practicing in order to perfect. Don't let yourself feel down if you slip up the first few times you perform. It's a lifelong skill, and once you get the hang of it, it will stick with you for the rest of your days.
- Include visual aids (such as Powerpoint) in your presentation, but only if it legitimately adds something of value.[21]
- You can never know for sure how an audience will react to your presentation. Be prepared for a less-than-stellar reception, and should the case arise, make sure you roll with the punches. Getting visibly on stage won't do anything for your credibility.
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| How to Revive a Dying Aloe Vera Plant Posted: 27 Feb 2017 08:00 AM PST Aloe vera plants make great indoor or outdoor plants; they are also handy to have around because of their healing properties. These plants are succulents, and therefore can become sick due to overwatering, underwatering, and other environmental factors. Root rot is one of the most common ailments of Aloe vera plants, but they can also become sunburned. If your Aloe vera plant looks a little under the weather, don't lose hope! You can still revive it! EditRepotting Due to Root Rot - Remove the Aloe vera plant from its current pot. One of the typical reasons for Aloe vera plant death is root rot. In order to determine if this is the case, you need to first take the plant out of its pot.[1]
 - Loosely hold the base of the plant and the bottom of your pot. Tip the pot upside down, and continue holding the plant with your other hand. Hit the bottom of the pot with your hand or knock it against a table ledge (or other hard surface).[2]
- Depending on the size of your plant, you may need another person to help you. One person should hold the plant base with both hands, while the other person tips the pot upside down and hits the bottom.[3]. You might also find it helpful to jostle the pot back and forth until the plant comes loose.
- If you still have difficulties removing your plant with two sets of hands, you can run a trowel or knife around the interior of the pot and try releasing it again, or push some of the soil out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If your plant still does not come out of the pot, you may need to break your pot, but this is a last resort.[4]
- While releasing the Aloe Vera plant from its pot, be sure that you are keeping the plant itself as steady as possible. All the movement should be centered on the pot, not the plant itself. In other words, hold, don't pull, the plant. Hitting the bottom of the pot will keep your roots intact, and gravity will push the plant downward.
- Tend the roots. Examine the roots and determine how many of the roots are still healthy. Mushy roots are characteristic of root rot and need to be removed.[5] Any roots that aren't black or mushy are good and can be kept.
- If you see a lot of healthy roots and only a section of dead or mushy roots, you can likely save your plant without too much trouble, but you'll need to cut away the damaged roots.[6] You can use a sharp, sterilized knife to cut away the dead roots,[7] but make sure to get them all.
- If you notice that the majority of your plant has damaged roots, it will take a little more effort to save the plant, and it may be beyond saving. In this case, you can try to save the plant by removing the largest leaves (with a knife). Cut away about half of the plant. This method is risky. However, with fewer leaves to nourish, the small amount of undamaged roots can better direct nutrients throughout the plant.[8]
- Chose a pot that is one-third larger than the root system. Any excess soil will hold water and could cause root rot in the future, so a smaller pot is better than a larger one.[9]
- The roots of Aloe vera plants grow horizontally, rather than vertically. [10] Aloe vera plants can also become quite heavy, and the weight of the plant can cause a narrow pot to tip over. Thus, select a wide pot, rather than a deep or narrow pot.[11]
- The pot you choose should also have plenty of drainage holes on the bottom so that excess water does not sit in the soil.[12]
- A plastic pot is best if you live in a dryer climate, while a pot made from terra cotta or clay is best for cooler or humid areas.[13]
- Use potting soil suitable for cactus or succulents. This type of soil has a higher sand content and produces a well-draining environment for your plant. You can find this type of soil easily at your local garden center.[14]
- You can also create your own soil mix for your Aloe vera plant by mixing equal parts of sand, gravel or pumice, and soil.[15] Be sure to use a coarse sand (like builder's sand), rather than a fine sand. Fine sand can clump and hold water, rather than allowing it to drain down and through the pot.[16]
- Although you can use potting soil for Aloe vera plants, they will thrive better in a mixed soil.[17] Potting soil is more likely to hold moisture and could therefore cause root rot.
- Replant your Aloe vera. Prepare the pot by filling it with the potting soil mixture, and shake your Aloe vera plant gently to remove about a third of the soil that has attached itself to the root ball.[18] Place your plant in the newly prepared pot and cover the top with more of the potting soil mixture. Be sure that the entire root ball is covered with the soil mixture , but don't bury the plant deeper than it was in the first pot.[19]
- You can also layer small rocks or gravel on the top of the soil, which helps reduce the evaporation of water.[20]
- Do not water immediately after repotting. Your Aloe vera plant needs a few days to readjust to its new pot and to repair any broken roots.[21]
EditMonitoring Water - Check the soil. You can tell if your Aloe vera plant needs to be watered by pressing your index finger a few inches down into the soil. If the soil is dry, your plant needs water. Aloe vera plants are succulents and do not need to be watered often. Overwatering can kill your plant![22]
- If you keep your plant outside, watering every two weeks should be sufficient.[23]
- If you keep your plant inside, water it every three to four weeks.[24]
- Modify watering according to the season. Aloe vera plants need more water in the warmer months, but less in the cooler months. Water less often in Fall and Winter, especially if your plant lives in a cool space.[25]
- Examine the leaves. As a succulent, Aloe vera plants store water in their leaves. If you notice the leaves are dropping or are becoming almost transparent, your plant likely needs water.[26]
- However, the same qualities can be a sign of root rot, caused by overwatering. Ask yourself when you watered your plant last. If you watered it recently, you should remove the plant from the pot and check for root rot.[27]
- Water until the soil is just moist. Water should never sit on top of the surface of the soil, so water with a light hand. Continue to check your plant weekly or bi-weekly by testing the soil to see if it needs to be watered.
EditCaring for a Sunburnt Plant - Check the leaves. If the leaves of your Aloe vera plant are turning brown or red, your plant may be sunburned.[28]
- Reposition your plant. Move your plant to a place where it receives indirect, rather than direct, sunlight.[29]
- If your plant is typically in a position to receive artificial light rather than sunlight, reposition the plant so that there is a greater distance between it and the light source. You can also try moving it outside so that it is getting some indirect natural light, rather than artificial light.[30]
- Water your plant. Check the soil and determine if your plant needs to be watered. The soil is likely dry if your plant has been getting too much sunlight, since the water would be evaporating more quickly.[31]
- Remove dead leaves. With a sharp, sterilized knife, cut the leaf away from the plant at the base. Any leaves that are dead take nutrients from other parts of the plant, so be sure to remove them so that the rest of your plant doesn't suffer.[32]
- Instead of snapping off leaves when you want to use the aloe, cut the leaves at the base with a sharp knife where the leaf meets the soil. The plant will heal itself better from a more precise cut.[33]
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| How to Use a Trailing Stop Loss Posted: 27 Feb 2017 12:00 AM PST A trailing stop loss is a type of stock order. Using this order will trigger a sale of your investment in the event its price drops below a certain level. The trailing stop loss order can help make the decision to sell easier, more rational and less emotional. It is designed for the investor who wishes to minimize risk, helping him or her minimize losses while maximizing potential gains.[1] With the trailing stop loss, it all happens automatically, so you and your trader don't constantly have to watch the stock price. EditUnderstanding a Trailing Stop Loss - Understand how a trailing stop loss works. The trailing stop loss is a type of sell order that adjusts automatically to the moving value of the stock. Most pertinently, the trailing stop loss order moves with the value of the stock when it rises. For example:[2]
- You purchase stock at $25.
- The stock rises to $27.
- You place a sell trailing stop loss order using a $1 trail value.
- While the price moves up, the trailing price (stop price) will stay at $1 less than the current price.
- The stock price reaches $29 and then it starts to drop. The trailing stop loss would be at $28.
- Once the stock price hits $28, your trailing stop loss order will become a market order. This means that you will sell the stock. At this point, your gains are locked in (assuming a buyer can be found).
- Recognize what a traditional stop loss is. A traditional stop loss is an order designed to limit losses automatically. It does not follow or adjust to the stock's changing price, unlike the trailing stop loss order.
- The traditional stop loss order is placed at a specific price point and does not change. For example:
- You purchase stock for $30.
- You set your traditional stop loss order at $28. In this case, the stock will be sold at $28.
- If the stock price rises to $35 and then dips suddenly, you will still sell at $28. You will not protect the paper profit you made from the stock's recent rise.
- Understand how the trailing stop loss order helps to maximize your profits. Use a trailing stop loss order instead of selling at a predetermined level. Instead the order automatically adjusts when the price of your investment rises.
- With a traditional stop loss order, say you have a $15 stock. You establish a sell level (say, $10) that will not change. If the price of your stock goes up to $20, you still have a $10 sell level. If the stock plummets, you will still sell at $10.
- With a trailing stop loss order, say you have a $15 stock. You might establish a trailing stop loss order of 10% instead of a traditional stop loss order at, say, $13.50. If the stock goes up to $20, you will still use the 10% level. This makes your stop loss order effective at $18 (10% below $20). If you had used a traditional stop loss, your order would have sold at $13.50, and you would have lost the profit you made when the stock went up.
- Use an easy, proactive strategy. With a trailing stop loss order, your trader won't need to manually change the stop conditions. Rather, the trailing order changes automatically depending on the price of the stock.[3] Placing the trailing stop loss order is easy to do.
EditPlacing a Trailing Stop Loss Order - Find out if you can use a trailing stop loss order. Not every broker will allow you to use this strategy. Likewise, not all types of accounts will permit a trailing stop loss order. Be sure to check if your broker allows this type of transaction.
- It is highly recommended that you have the option to use this order.
- Track the historical movement of your stock. It is helpful to understand the historical volatility and price movements of your stock. This will give you an idea of how much the stock moves up or down in a given period of time. Use this to determine a reasonable trail value that balances between triggering a premature sale and leaving too much profit on the table. [4]
- Choose when you want to place the order. You can place a trailing stop loss order anytime. You can do this immediately after the initial purchase. You can also track your stock and decide to put in the trailing stop loss order later on.
- Choose a fixed or relative amount. As noted, a trailing stop loss can be created in one of two ways. You can either use a fixed price or a relative one based on a percentage. [5]
- For example, you can determine either a strict dollar amount (e.g., $10) for the trail or a percentage of the stock's value (e.g., 5%). In either case, the "trail" is related to the value of the stock. This trail changes over time as the price of the stock changes.
- By using the fixed-dollar option, you limit to a strict dollar value the amount the stock can go down from its highest point before a sell order is automatically placed. Dollar amounts cannot have more than two decimal places (in other words, no tenths of a cent.) [6]
- By using a percentage approach, you can define the appropriate range to allow the stock to go up and down while in a generally rising trend. Percentages used must be between 1% and 30% of the current price. [7]
- Know the risk. The risk with any stop loss is that the stock may dip below the sell point and trigger a sale. Then the stock may reverse and go back up, leaving you behind without the newly accrued profit.
- Determine a reasonable trail value. Figure out how much you'd like your trailing stop loss to be. [8] Talk with your broker to determine an appropriate dollar amount or percentage for your trailing stop loss order.
- If you set the value too tight, you might trigger a sale prematurely.
- If you set the value too wide, you might leave too much profit on the table if the stock begins to fall.
- Specify if you want a day or GTC order. The trailing stop loss can be placed as either a day or GTC (Good 'til Canceled) order. This defines the length of time that the trailing stop loss order will be in effect.
- The day order is good until the close of the current day's market (4 p.m. Eastern Time). If you place the day order when the market is closed, it will remain in effect until the close of the next day of trading. [9]
- The GTC order is good for 120 days in most cases. Thus, the order will be canceled after 120 days. There are some orders that allow for unlimited time on a GTC order.
- Choose between a market order and a limit order. A market order is an order to buy or sell the investment at the best current price available. [10] A limit order allows you to set up the purchase or sale of stock at a certain price.
- Once you reach the stop price that you've specified in your trailing stop loss order, you can put through a market or limit order. This means that you will sell your stock.
- A market order is a default order. It will execute without regard to price.
- A trailing stop loss can also be placed on short equity positions and options.
- Choose a traditional stop loss order for highly volatile stocks.[11]
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