Sometimes what you consider to be your greatest liability can become your greatest strength. But that doesn't happen by accident. Often it's about moving forward despite your fears.

Lee Glickstein is the founder of Speaking Circles International. Back in his college years -- when getting up in front of a room to speak was "the worst of all possible fates" -- Lee could not have guessed he would use his stage fright to create an innovative philosophy and system that would benefit tens of thousands of people afraid of public speaking.

Back then Lee would memorize each and every word. He felt red-faced and vulnerable each time he had to speak. He took an uninspired job that didn't require presentations.

Just For Laughs
Then in his thirties he moved to California and did something surprising. He began going to comedy workshops. As fearful as he was, he had an inclination that he could be funny.

He recalls, "This was the 70s and comedy clubs were actually a safe place to get up in front of an audience that was tolerant of learners."

Engaging in his new hobby, Lee dealt with his fear in two ways: he memorized every word of his jokes, and he hid behind a Woody Allen-type persona. "If they laughed at the first joke I could remember the second one," he says. "But if anything unexpected happened I froze up. I broke that bond with the audience when they could tell I wasn't able to respond in the moment."

From Comedian to Humorist
Even though his performances got better the underlying fear never left. He never looked at people in the audience. Then destiny stepped in again. Lee was drawn to Norman Cousin's books about the healing power of humor. This led him to leave the traditional comedy path he had been on. He joined the National Association of Speakers and decided to teach people how to use humor in speeches to make a more serious point. He began teaching people how to get over stage fright -- before he was actually over stage fright himself!

Relational Presence Awareness
This material felt closer to his heart and he came to realize that humor was not the main point any longer. People being themselves, being natural in front of others was the key.

In 1989 Lee founded Speaking Circles International, based in the San Francisco area. The format provides the opportunity for every person to take a turn getting the full attention of the other members of the circle -- without needing to speak at all or to say anything specific or rehearsed. This process arose from his awareness that when he tried talking to one person at a time (in the audience), he didn't feel as much fear. This is what Lee refers to as "Relational Presence."

The Key to Being a Magnetic Speaker
"I had blundered into how to become a charismatic speaker. To be in relational presence with your audience is to be with them. It was no longer ME and THEM. It was US!"

Lee had discovered that a "lack of technique" is the key to honoring listeners -- your audience. The capacity to be in the moment and to receive a listener's being was what created a powerful "listening field" in which the audience members feel connected to each other and they feel connected to the speaker.

According to Lee, the capacity to be in the moment is the key to better relationships and better business because everyone will want to be "in." It affects your relationships with friends, business partners and romantic partners. As he says, "people want to be noticed" and Relational Presence makes room for that.

He explains, "Dynamic speakers lead with confidence. But most people can't cover a lack of confidence with performance. That's why most of us are not as dynamic as we are magnetic. If you go with magnetism it's more powerful, more inclusive of the audience. When we lead with receptivity -- letting others in -- conversationally, relationally, we develop much more electricity and juice. Being in relationship with your audience draws out your best!"

Lee Glickstein is the founder of Speaking Circles International. The organization's programs transform the way people communicate. To sign up for Lee's newsletter offering speaking tips or his f*ree teleclasses go to: www.speakingcircles.com.

At some point in time, we have all experienced procrastination. And sometimes we procrastinate because we're fearful of something -- rejection, failure, looking silly, not being good enough.

The thing is, when we're feeling fear around a particular activity, most likely that's exactly the activity that we most need to spend time on. It's the thing we need to do more than anything else!

For years, and years, I put off getting the training I desperately needed to get past my fear of public speaking. Finally I decided that putting this off was no longer an option. It was preventing me from reaching my goals.

So I took a workshop about public speaking for writers. It focused on the Speaking Circles technique of relational presence. I found that fascinating. So I read Lee Glickstein's book Be Heard Now! Tap Into Your Inner Speaker and Communicate With Ease. And that gave me a constructive way of thinking about public speaking that helped to ease my fears.

Since, there were no Speaking Circles in Seattle, I joined Toastmasters so I could practice being up in front of a group week after week. The results: These days I'm getting invited to speak before business groups about "Small Talking Your Way to Business Success." I'm leading seminars on Dream Boards and Vision Collages. The picture (that's me in chartreuse in the middle) above is from an event targeting women in mid-life called "Women Embracing Change" that I helped to form with four other women. In the past I might not have jumped at such an opportunity.

I took one step that inspired me to take another step, which, in turn, encouraged me to take a third step. And, the results have been amazing!

Too often, especially when fear is involved, we discount how much difference one step can make. Don't make that mistake (learn from my mistakes, please). One step can be powerful. You don't even have to think about what the second step will be, because so often once you take the first step the natural second step reveals itself.

So when you are aware that fear is holding you back from being the best person you can be, ask yourself the following questions.

• What is one step I could take that would help me to get past my fear? What is the least scary thing I could do first?
• What are the potential benefits of addressing this particular fear?

When you apply yourself and practice a discipline, a sport or an activity you enjoy, you become more self-confident, more self-reliant and obviously more at- ease in the way you do it.

Springtime is here and if you choose to tune into this invigorating energy you, too, can move forward in order to enjoy your rejuvenated human nature.

Dare to be your soulful self. Dare to speak your truth.

Maru Dana
Intuitive Astrologer
www.moonjournaling.com

So often we go about our days in a task-driven haze. This means we miss opportunity after opportunity to truly connect with the we people interact with -- you know, the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. Although these days it's more likely to be the banker, the dry cleaner and the computer technician.

Sometimes, we're so busy we're even afraid to start a conversation with someone because it might take too long. Try putting that mindset aside at least one day a week and try the following:

• When you run into acquaintances, retailers or people you do business with sincerely ask how the other person is doing. Then really listen.
• If appropriate, comment on the great job that they do. For instance, you could mention to the barista at your favorite cafe how much you look forward to your non-fat grande mocha with no whip each morning. Appreciating even the little things in life creates a greater sense of abundance.
• Ask people's advice on their area of expertise. You might ask the dry cleaner how to best pre-treat a particular stain before you can get it to them. This gives people the chance to be helpful, which creates more good energy.
• Choose a "get to know better" target. If you know someone you find intriguing or that you think you'd like to know better, start a conversation. You could even do this as an exercise with no expectations that you'll "get something" out of it.
• Make a point of smiling at people you interact with and intentionally thinking nice things about them. Smile and say hello to strangers that you pass as you go about your day. You may be surprised how much more connected you feel to your life and the world around you.

If you wish to use any of the articles from Living Awareness in your own electronic newsletter or ezine please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from Living Awareness, a fr*ee ezine from conscious communications expert Melissa Wadsworth featuring interviews, articles and exercises to inspire more life clarity, focus and joy. To sign up go to:
www.melissawadsworth.com and receive a complimentary copy of Seven Steps to Self Empowerment.

Visit the links below to view past issues:

August 2006: The Law of Attraction

September 2006: Successful Self-Awareness

October 2006: Personal Responsibility

November 2006: Change

December 2006: Balance

January 2007:New Year Planning

February 2007: Human Connection