Psychotactics

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You see it in sci-fi movies.
You see it at workshops.
It’s called the ‘force shield.’
Once the ‘force shield’ is up, nothing can penetrate the shield. The people within the shield are cocooned. And the people outside the shield are isolated.

Sticky-pairs cause force-shields at workshops
So what are [...]

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Imagine you pulled out a chair.
Or two large pieces of paper.
Or a balloon.
What you’re doing is waking up the audience with a prop.
And props wake up the sleepiest of audiences in a matter of seconds. Yes, even if the prop isn’t remotely connected to your [...]

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Examples have a singular goal: They help the reader understand a concept. But could the wrong example actually alienate an audience? And how would you know which kind of example would alienate you?

Let’s look at a simple example of a ‘rocking chair.’
So if were to [...]

So you want to focus, right? Well, here’s my take on focus. Make it your take too!
Post this on your wall. Put it on your cubicle. Put it on your computer screen. And enjoy!

If you’d like to get some geeky t-shirts that really make you stand out, take a look at this store. I think you’ll like the t-shirts (and mugs). If you would like to have a cartoon that you’d want me to add, I’d be happy to do so as well.

You can either click on the [...]

Have you ever seen a rock concert where the singer holds out the microphone in the middle of a song.
And not surprisingly the audience sings the lyrics of the songs, while swaying madly to the music.
Your audience should be so adoring, eh?
Well, if you can’t exactly be a rock star to your audience, you can [...]

When I first started doing seminars in the year 2001, I’d start off talking. And flipping slides. And then talking some more. And then two days or three days would pass. Then I’d hand out the feedback forms.
And invariably someone would be upset.

They’d think the music was too loud.
They’d wonder why there was music at [...]

On a teleconference, you’re going to run into another big hassle. Somehow it seems like the participants have been yanked to the call. They’re almost unwilling to be there. No they’re not. They’re just unsure of what to expect. And of course you haven’t warmed them up.
So pray, how do you warm up an audience?
There [...]

Put a two year old child in front of a Barney video for the first time, and watch the child’s face. It’s intent. It’s focused. And not very relaxed at all.
But put that child in front of that same Barney video for the seven hundredth time, and watch the anticipation on her face.
She’s shaking her [...]

If you’re a trainer, there’s one scenario that’s almost impossible to avoid. It’s the scenario where you see a hand going up.
The participant is about to ask a question.
And there’s nothing wrong with the question, except that it’s out of left field. The participant is asking: How do I blazaboo the configulation spectroconfiture on the [...]

So you’re going to run an online course or teleconference. And you’re pretty darned sure that you’re going to do all the talking. Which is kinda counterproductive at best. Clients learn better when they’re in the thick of things instead of just listening to your yada-yada.
But it’s not like you haven’t tried to get participation [...]

You’ve just finished your teleclass and you’re moving on to question stage. And then comes the moment that you think you’ll be flooded with questions, so you ask, “What questions would you like to ask me today?” And all you hear is the chilly wind of silence.
So how do you get the audience to respond [...]