Stepping Up to the Plate

Image courtesy of Microsoft

Every now and then, we have to do something at work or at school that makes us feel a little uncomfortable. For many of us, that task has something to do with public speaking or doing a presentation in front of a bunch of people. This happened to me today at my business-networking luncheon. To my surprise, I found myself more excited than nervous about getting up there and talking to the other members of the Network Referral Group of Santa Clarita about one of my favorite things to do: handwriting analysis. 

Last week, I volunteered to do presentation when another member discovered he couldn’t attend the meeting. The topic was an easy choice for me, since I already spent the previous Sunday afternoon doing handwriting analyses at Happy Pets veterinary practice. One of my friends and NRG partners is a veterinarian and owner of the practice; I accepted donations for a slush fund that helps financially strapped clients pay for veterinary care in exchange for a brief handwriting analysis. I knew this topic would be interesting and entertaining for the other NRG members to learn about since we all write (or print) in our professions. Furthermore, most people are curious about themselves. Handwriting is a great way to tell a lot about someone’s personality in a short time and with very little effort on the part of the writer or the handwriting analyst (me).

One of the things I learned and have always remembered from the Public Speaking class in my hypnotherapy certification was how to stay confident and relaxed during a presentation. I can still remember how George Kappas, M.A., C.Ht., the director of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, gave my class that pep talk about this topic. He encouraged us to look forward to every opportunity to promote our hypnotherapy practice this way, reminding and reassuring us that we would know a lot more about this topic (hypnosis) than anyone else in the room. We would be the experts in the room and should “own” the topic with confidence, he enthused. And then the final zinger: We already knew so much about this field that there was no reason for any of us to even need notes during this kind of presentation, except perhaps the briefest topic guideline. 

So when I went to the front of the room this afternoon, I did not really need to think about which material I would present during the next ten minutes or so that were allotted to me. I had a few props to help me: a printed handout for everyone to describe the writing features I examine and a white board to provide “illustrations” of those characteristics. While I held a copy of the handout in my hand for quick reference, I only glanced at it once to determine which material I felt I needed to cover in the remaining minute of my talk. Then, I invited questions and even did an impromptu mini-analysis of someone’s writing before the meeting was adjourned.

And George Kappas was right: I didn’t need notes, after all, and I did have a lot of fun doing the presentation about a topic I know so well. If necessary, I would be happy to step up again to do another presentation about some aspect of my work as a hypnotherapist. Indeed, I’m already getting ideas about what I can talk about next time. I can’t wait!

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2016

My Professional Network Group

While I was training to become a certified hypnotherapist, the instructors at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute spent a lot of time teaching and coaching students how to promote and market their hypnotherapy practice. In addition to producing attractive business cards and informative brochures, the instructors also emphasized the importance of business networking to promote our hypnotherapy practices. They encouraged us to enroll in a local Chamber of Commerce, join one or more professional networking groups, practice on-line marketing/social media, perfect the 30-second “elevator speech” and do lectures about hypnosis every chance we got. Since membership with an organized professional group was required to graduate HMI “with honors”—a personal goal—I promptly joined a local professional marketing group: Network Referral Group of Santa Clarita. This organization is the focus of my blog this evening.

Formed in 2002, NRG is a medium-sized group that features a variety of small businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, California. Many of the founding members—a probate attorney, a small-animal veterinary practice, a chiropractor, an accounting firm, and a personal loan consultant—are still in the group. Other members include a massage therapist, an insurance broker, an interior designer, the owner of a car-repair shop, a software developer/online marketer, a termite/pest exterminator, a real estate agent, a building contractor and a financial advisor. I have used the services of these members, and learn something about their business and what they do at our weekly lunch meetings.

Over the years, I have become much more comfortable promoting and marketing my business. I love being a hypnotherapist—it is the dream job I never knew I wanted—and I seize every opportunity to talk about what I do and how I do it. Belonging to NRG and having a chance to watch and learn these marketing skills from other professionals in the group have really helped to increase my confidence and comfort promoting my own business. In addition, my eyes have been opened as to how my work can complement and enhance the success of my NRG partners’ businesses.

What I value most about belonging to this group is the camaraderie, friendship and professional support that I receive from each of these members. Even though I had to resign from the group several years ago because of schedule conflicts, I knew that I would return to the group as soon as I could. Fortunately, my category (hypnotherapy) was still vacant and there were no other members in the group who might have had a professional conflict with what I do—NRG is category protected—I was welcomed back into the fold.

I count all of my NRG partners as friends; a few are very good friends and one is like a sister to me. I know that if I a pipe burst in my home, I could call Edwin Cruz and he would come over and make the repair for me. The day I (finally!) ever get a dog, Dr. Evelyn Vega will be my pup’s doctor. When I met Rob Stern ten years ago, I knew I would never have to worry about turning in my tax returns again. Dr. Brian is a fabulous chiropractor and the first person I contact if I come off my horse (rare) or strain my back picking Galahad’s hooves or moving hay. Linda Hammond has done a fabulous job refurbishing a table and chairs for us. Carla Jung gives a great massage, and Sherri Risley will turn over any rock to find the best insurance package for your budget. As for the members whose services I have not yet had a chance to use, I know from weekly testimonials about the quality of their work and customer service I and anyone who contracts them will be in good hands.

For more information about the Network Referral Group of Santa Clarita, and its members and businesses, please check out our website at, http://www.scvnrg.com.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2016