September 2, 2008This Week in the World ~ Say What You Mean Teleseminar Series

Say what you mean, mean what you say, don’t be mean when you say it. It’s a simple formula that’s getting simpler thanks to my three-part teleseminar series.

And it’s a bonus to my Say What You Mean eCourse subscribers.

Register for the 52 week eCourse, and attend the teleseminar series at no cost.

It starts September 10th.

Say what you mean

Be authentic. The source of your words is in your own mind and heart. I help people find their words by listening for their deepest meaning - what they think, feel and want. You can find your own words when you learn to listen for your deepest meaning.

Mean what you say

Speak with conviction and protect the integrity of your words. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. If you do say it, be convincing.

Don’t be mean when you say it

You can be clear and direct and still be kind. Respect your listener with your choice of words.

Truth about love teleseminar coming up

In the month to come I will announce my Truth About Love teleseminar series. Stay tuned.

Love removes the labor of labor

Read the article is Love removes the labor of labor on my SpeakStrong in Love Blog

August 29, 2008This Week in the World ~ Grass Roots Mobilization

August 27, 2008This Week in the World Say What You Mean eCourse teleseminar September 10th

The what tos, why tos and how tos
A friend mentioned she would “rather teach why tos than how tos.” After I reflected on her words, I realized I like teaching what tos, why tos and how tos. I like to point a direction, explain why that’s the best direction, and show the way to get there.

I like to teach from the most abstract level, and take the concepts down to concrete action steps. It’s not enough to get people all fired up. I want my words to make a difference in people’s lives.

My Say What You Mean eCourse champions my SpeakStrong philosophy and shows people how to walk the talk.

Starting September 10th, I will offer monthly Say What You Mean teleseminars to my SpeakStrong community. These teleseminars will be no charge to Say What You Mean enrollees. The first one will be September 10th.

Check it out
You can try the eCourse before you enroll. The introduction to my Say What You Mean eCourse is available without charge and there are sample lessons for your review as well.

August 27, 2008The Truth About Love

Next week I will announce my Truth About Love teleseminar series. For Colorado Springs residents, I will talk about it on Fox 21 Morning News on September 11th, and I will describe it when I speak at eWomen’s Network on September 12th.

August 27, 2008Quote of the day subscriber comment

My SpeakStrong Quote and Tip of the Day is available without charge. Here is one subscriber comment.

Hi Meryl. Happy Friday.
I receive the quote and tip of the day at my work email address. More often than not, they are so pertinent to issues I face here at work.
I just want you to know that your words have a resounding positive effect on my outlook and I am able to reassure myself that I am doing the right thing by speaking up, even if it is not the most popular.

I was doubting myself last night about speaking up about something and I definitely felt the wrath after I did so, but this quote reassures me that I did the right thing. Here’s the quote.

Thank you, Meryl. I needed this today.

SPEAK STRONG QUOTE of the DAY:
“The first to speak may take the heat, but leaders lead - they go first.” ~ Meryl Runion

SPEAK STRONG TIP of the DAY:
If everyone insists the emperor is wearing clothes, the first person to suggest he isn’t is likely to take some flack. Be a leader - speak the truth anyway.

August 21, 2008This Week in the World ~ Transition Time

My husband likes to talk when he gets home from work. Often he’d start telling me all the things that happened the second I walked in the door. While I like to be available for him to talk to, I found it overwhelming, especially when he had a bad day.

I asked him for a half hour of silence, and he agreed. I told him while I wanted to hear about his day, I would be able to pay better attention if he gave me some transition time. What a difference. We were both surprised to find that after that half hour, not only am I more ready to listen, he is calmer and easier to listen to. What a blessing. I’m glad I spoke up and asked for the silence I need to be able to listen.

August 21, 2008This Week in the World ~ The Power of Silence

Saying so much about so little
Have you ever thought about why you talk? One PowerPhrase Principle is that PowerPhrases are targeted. You decide what you want your words to accomplish and choose your words accordingly.

Trainers will tell you that men tend to communicate to relay facts and women tend to communicate to connect and relate. But what if the facts have been relayed and the connection is solid? What then?

How about silence?
Chatter dilutes and drowns out substantive communication. If you don’t have anything to say, why not say the most powerful thing of all? Why not say nothing?

What a concept - only speak when you have something to say
I think of my father – a great man who is also a man of few words. He doesn’t speak much – but when he does, people listen. We listen because we know he wouldn’t be speaking if he didn’t have something to say.

People who are comfortable with themselves and each other are also comfortable with silence. They may speak to convey information and they may speak to convey heartfelt emotion. What they don’t do is speak to fill silence.

The purpose of words is to create silence. Not the silence of suppression. Not the silence of the lambs. The silence of completion.

Words well spoken
I had the most wonderful week hosting a man who has much to say. You can read about and hear a few of his words here.

I am left with the sweet feeling that comes from hearing so many words of wisdom. Now I feel pulled to sink into silence.

I will be speaking again soon. I have some TeleSeminars up my sleeve. Stay tuned.

August 8, 2008This Week in the World ~ People House

I met People House Director Katie Brown for lunch last week. Here are just a few of the things I like about her.

1. She knows the pleasure of service.
2. She listens to and loves knowledge: including (but not limited to) my knowledge, my husband’s knowledge and Jeffrey’s knowledge.
3. She kept thinking my husband and I were newlyweds because the way my husband speaks about me sounds “far too in love for a couple who has been married twelve years.” Thanks to my husband Bob, Katie and ancient relationship wisdom for that “warm and fuzzy.”
4. Her communication is so filled with inspiring words of wisdom I literally take notes.
5. She is decisive. When I suggested presenting at The People House in under a week, she set it up immediately and sent out notices the next day - as soon as she got them from me.

People House does some really great work. I was particularly interested in their Veteran Reintegration Workshop and their Day with Joan Borysenko, the pioneer in mind body medicine and advocate for blending science and spirituality for an awakened world. Check it out on the web and in person if you live in the area. It’s so wonderful to connect with people who are dedicated to growth, service and the good of all.

July 31, 2008This Week in the World ~ Expectation management

Which would you prefer …someone who promises ten things and delivers five, or someone who promises one and delivers four?

Did it occur to you that the previous question is a false choice? How about the option of someone who promises five and delivers five?

Members of the American Society for Quality tell me their motto is to: “say what you’ll do and do what you say.” If I know what I can count on, I can plan accordingly. It’s simple expectation management. And it’s essential for great communication.

July 28, 2008This Week in the World ~ Blowing your cover

A friend told me in her single days, when she got to know new men, she waited for them to decide she was crazy. One man not only didn’t decide she was crazy – he adored who she was. They’ve been married for five years now.

Many of us relate to her experience. We’re afraid if we let who we really are out, people will run screaming from the room. Or they’ll give some else the promotion. Or they’ll unsubscribe from our newsletters. We’ve all been rejected in one way or another for revealing who we are.

But think about what my friend would have missed if she had hidden her true nature. It’s a powerful experience to reveal a bit more of who you are, and find not only are there people who embrace you – but that the people who embrace you are people you joyfully embrace in return.

In recent weeks I’ve been promoting The UltiMate™ Relationship Seminar, and have been stunned by the community I’ve discovered. As an example, I invited a yoga teacher lunch to discuss the possibility of her arranging a promotional evening to me to talk to her friends and students about the event. The yoga teacher called me Thursday morning saying she could meet me for lunch in a few hours.

I walked in expecting to meet with one woman and was stunned when she told me “Here’s your group.” She pointed to a room full of beautiful women who all wanted to hear what I had to say. It was a lovely gathering that ended in the group arranging a car pool to attend Jeffrey’s talk. The last few weeks of my life have been filled with moments like these.

Another example of the support I’ve received is the beautiful email my cosponsor Rev. Ahriana Platten send to her community.

Yes, there are times and places to share and not to share different aspects of yourself. But the more authentic you are more of the time, the more magical your life will become.

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