Create. Inspire. Serve! 
August, 2014
A Note from Andrea Beaulieu

We all have one -- the "Why Should I Listen to You Anyway?!" gatekeeper.

As a speaker, presenter, or sales/marketing professional, how do you deal with that gatekeeper so you can engage your listener and share all of your amazing information?

This is the question many a professional has asked him or herself, and others, and here's what I can tell you . . . you don't deal with the gatekeeper!

What? Then how do I engage my listener?

Scroll down to Tales of Transformation and Artistry! and find out how! 

Enjoy! 
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"No matter what people tell you,
words and ideas can change the world."

Robin Williams
What's Happening  

Calendar

September 7, 2014
Featured Performing Artist
Creative Living Fellowship
Phoenix, AZ

September 24, 2014
Presentation Skills Training
ESI Ergonomic Solutions
Mesa, AZ

November 5, 2014
Communicating Change: Five Key Elements to Make Sure You Speak to Everyone
22nd Annual Nonprofit Conference
ASU Lodestar Center
Phoenix, AZ

November 30, 2014
Featured Performing Artist
West Valley Center for Spiritual Living
Phoenix, AZ

December 5, 2014
Story Performance Coaching Boot Camp
ASU Lodestar Center
Phoenix, AZ

January 15, 2015
Story Performance Coaching Workshop
Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch
Phoenix, AZ

February 7, 2015
Discover the Power of Your Personal Story
Women Entrepreneurs' Small Business Boot Camp
Phoenix, AZ

Coming Soon: Stage Fright to Stage Free Online Program! Watch your email for details.

 

Keynote Representation: I am so happy to now be a member of the CBA Speakers Bureau family. Founder and CEO Carole Barnes is the consummate professional. Here's a link to my profile on her site for anything keynote.

 

New Release: Richard Palalay and I have written our second song, Caught Between Two Worlds. We're so excited to share this with you. Once we record it, you'll be able to listen to it on our websites and download it on iTunes. What an adventure this has become. I'm very grateful. 


Tales of Transformation & Artistry

The Number One Way to Deal with "Why Should I Listen to You Anyway?!"

Not too long ago, I
attended a business acquaintance's presentation. Even though I thought she had some great things to say, as I listened, I noticed these negative thoughts intruding into my consciousness: I don't agree with that. That doesn't make sense. I wonder why she said it that way? I hope I'm not wasting my time.
 
Huh? What's that about? She was presenting a lot of good information, and I was there by choice! I had moved into the "Why Should I Listen to You Anyway?!" mode without even knowing it. What's the deal?

Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and author of Hardwiring Happiness, says our brains are hardwired for negativity. This is something we learned when we were fending off predators on the savannah. We evolved in very harsh conditions, so we developed a proclivity to look for the negative. Thing is, most of us aren't being chased by a saber tooth tiger so the negativity doesn't serve us as well, especially when we have the opportunity to benefit greatly from an experience.

Even though I wanted to hear what she had to say, a part of my brain was looking for the negative. It was looking to criticize because this is how it thinks it's keeping me safe. If I didn't know this, I could have missed all the good stuff.

As the speaker, if you don't know this, you're not going to get past that gatekeeper -- this "Why Should I Listen to You Anyway?!" trap.

What is the number one way to deal with this? 

By beginning your program speaking directly to the unconscious mind -- the right brain.

This wonderful mind lives in a world of creativity, wholeness, symbolism, joy and service. It lives in the world of the present, of being. Unlike it's left brain  sister, which is absolutely essential to our functioning, processing and well being, it doesn't judge and criticize. It's not looking for the negative. It's just there, in the moment, enjoying itself. Once your listener is engaged, then you can share your information.

To engage the right brain, we need to speak its language: music, symbols, beauty, play, and stories.

Being playful at an Intel workshop!
I often recommend my clients begin their presentations with a story for this very reason. I do that, and use music, visuals, and play to engage my listeners' attention and bypass their hardwired left-brain critical faculty.

First, you need to get comfortable with your right brain.

Spend time in nature. Listen to music. Meditate. Be in gratitude. Sing. Play. You know the saying, it takes one to know one! Get to know your right brain so you can invite others to step into theirs. You can then avoid the "Why Should I Listen to You Anyway?!" trap.

Remember, all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players, so make sure your play is authentically yours!

Andrea 

 

As an executive speech coach, story performance and presentation skills coach, and strategic brand messaging consultant, Andrea Beaulieu combines her expertise as a speaker, writer, branding coach and performer to enable her clients to be powerful presenters and tell their stories with enthusiasm and passion, and to speak from their authentic voice. 

 

She has graced numerous stages as a professional speaker, trainer, and performer. She knows the ins and outs of working with an audience and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her clients, helping them capitalize on the power of the platform and avoid the pitfalls.  

 

Andrea has trained hundreds of individuals and groups in speaking and presentations skills. She has worked with numerous C-level individuals at international and national organizations over the course of her career, crafting speeches and other communications materials including editorial, branding and marketing communications. She assists individuals and organizations to get to the essence of their purpose, values, and goals and deliver them powerfully and authentically in the world -- to become an irresistible force for their message!

 

As a professional speaker, Andrea has shared her expertise and inspirational stories with diverse audiences including the Women in Intel Network, the American Academy of Family Physicians Women's Health and Physician Wellness Conference, Northern Trust Bank. She has performed on hundreds of stages in various venues, and traveled with the international organization, Up With People, singing and dancing at Super Bowl Halftime and the Indianapolis 500.

 

Andrea serves as a faculty associate for the ASU  Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. She has received certificates from the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) in Facilitation Training and from the Chemical Awareness Training Institute in Student Assistance and Support Group Facilitator Training. She is an Advanced Communicator Silver with Toastmasters International. She has a certificate in Transformational Life Coaching from the nationally accredited Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Tempe, Ariz., completing an intensive 100-hour course. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in Mass Communications from Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.