Creative Keys for Success - Your Portfolio Potpourri

Volume IX, Issue 24
ISSN: 1544-6913
August 3, 2011

Chris King, Editor, chris@creativekeys.net

By subscription* only! The eclectic bi-weekly newsletter
published Wednesdays that includes a portfolio of tips and ways to Access Your Creativity, Make Lasting Presentations, Use the Power of Storytelling and Live the Life You Love.

*Or complimentary if you have purchased a product, taken an assessment, a test, or sent in a question and/or questions from http://www.creativekeys.net/askquestions.htm

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YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY. LET ME HELP YOU TELL IT!

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IN THIS ISSUE

(1) Theme – STRETCH
(2) Three Articles Featured This Week
(3) Creativity – STRETCH Outside Your Comfort Zone
(4) Powerful Presentations – Use Good Stories to Go
the Final STRETCH
(5) Become an Outrageously Powerful Presenter. STRETCH and Create Your Helpful Presentation to Delight Your Listeners and Succeed!
(6) Storytelling Power – Thinking with Another Person's
Mind
(7) Freelance Living – We Need to STRETCH Our Minds
(8) Letters and Feedback from You, Our Readers
(9) Who Is Chris King Anyway?
(10) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information

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(1) Theme – STRETCH

Definition of STRETCH : To reach out; to extend; to put forth. To draw or pull out to greater length; to strain; as, to STRETCH a tendon or muscle. To exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to STRETCH the truth; to STRETCH one's credit. To extend or spread one's self, or one's limbs; as, the lazy man yawns and STRETCHES . To strain the truth; to exaggerate; as, a man apt to STRETCH in his report of facts. Act of STRETCHING , or state of being STRETCHED ; reach; effort; struggle; strain; as, a STRETCH of the limbs; a STRETCH of the imagination.

“A good goal is like a strenuous exercise - it makes you STRETCH.” - Mary Kay Ash, American business woman

I chose “STRETCH” for this week's issue , because of all of the benefits it offers. STRETCHING the body, the mind, the imagination are all so important in our lives. As a fitness instructor, I have always stressed the importance of STRETCHING . Of course it helps to develop and keep us flexible. Most people don't realize that we automatically lose 10% of our flexibility every ten years.

Over the past three years, I have been involved with Yoga and teaching Yoga. I even teach a Senior Yoga class called Yoga STRETCH . And, yes, you guessed it, it involves a great deal of STRETCHING . I know from how great my students and I feel, how beneficial the poses and STRETCHES are for us.

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(2) Three Articles Featured This Week

Visit http://www.powerfulpresentations.net to read,
"There Is Always an Exception to the Rule.”
Visit http://www.storytellingpower.com to read, “How to Get Started as a Professional Storyteller. "
Visit http://www.freelanceliving.com to read, "Is It Time to Reconsider Your Fees?”
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(3) Creativity – STRETCH Outside Your Comfort Zone

“If you put yourself in a position where you have to STRETCH outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.” - Les Brown, American businessman

Ah Yes, it is so easy to stay within our comfort zone. After all, it is comfortable. If you are like I am, you use your creativity, and because of that get lots of new and exciting ideas. Most of them will STRETCH your mind and consciousness – as Les Brown suggests. Good for you!

However, when you start to talk to others about these ideas, you will find that you not only find yourself outside your comfort zone, but others also. Just don't let them discourage and also dissuade you. Think of this as meaning that you are onto something big ! Never give up on a good to great idea!

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(4) Powerful Presentations – Use Good Stories to Go
the Final STRETCH

“I like good stories above all else ... and kickin' art really goes the final STRETCH to ensure a comic is good.” - Robert Kirkman, American writer

Right away, Kirkman's quotation reminded me of a saying that was prevalent among professional speakers back when I was a member of the National Speakers' Association. There would always be a newbie asking everyone if it was necessary as a speaker to include humor in your presentation?

The standard answer was, “Only if you want to be paid.” Then we would all laugh. The funny part is that adding humor and laughter to any of our presentations is a needed and enhancing addition. When we get our audience members to laugh, we build instant and incredible rapport with them.

They relax, and so do we. You will also find that your listeners will like you better. And will definitely remember you and your message better. So, try it. You'll like it!

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_______________ QUOTATIONS_______________

“By asking a novel question that you don't know the answer to, you discover whether you can formulate a way of finding the answer, and you STRETCH your own mind, and very often you learn something new.” - Walter Gilbert, American scientist

“Jazz tickles your muscles , symphonies STRETCH your soul.” - Paul Whiteman, American celebrity

“I love to read. I love to STRETCH. In the morning, I get up, and if I'm not in a hurry, I will lie on the floor on a rug, look through some books and magazines, and maybe listen to music and try to do
STRETCHING exercises to tune up.” - Jackson
Browne, American musician

“I like to take up something that is challenging . I like to STRETCH myself.” - Christine Lahti,
American actress

“In all realms of life it takes courage to STRETCH your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential... it's no different in the financial realm.” - Suze Orman, American author

_______________ QUOTATIONS_______________

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(5) Become an Outrageously Powerful Presenter. STRETCH and Create Your Helpful Presentation to Delight Your Listeners and Succeed!

If your dream is to become a powerful presenter (this is the number one skill for getting ahead in any career and/or business), you will be thrilled with my e-book and the bonuses (or deliberate bribes) that come with it.

Here’s what I’ve got: I have written the e-book, “How to Leave Your Audiences Begging for More.”

It will teach you everything you need to know to become an Outrageously Powerful Presenter. Whether or not your aspirations are to become powerful on the platform, or just to communicate powerfully day to day, you will now learn how to be known as a powerful communicator by reading and working through this e-book.

But you must devote your potential to the e-book, along with your courage to use it to become outrageously powerful. Let it answer all of your questions and with the joy of speaking know-how - you will become an Outrageously Powerful Presenter. Set your goals, STRETCH yourself and listen to the advice of others and create your inspirational presentation to succeed. Be sure to focus on helping others, too!

Go to: http://www.OutrageouslyPowerfulPresenter.com and give yourself the gift of superb communication skills. The perfect way to prepare for Fall and Winter!

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(6) Storytelling Power – Thinking with Another Person's
Mind

“Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind ; it forces you to STRETCH your own.” – Charles Scribner, Jr., American publisher

What a great definition of reading this is from Charles Scribner! But it is not only a description of reading, it is also a great description of what happens to us and others when we experience an excellent storyteller. We do start thinking with her and/or his mind. We are right there in the middle of the story.

As a storyteller – even though telling a fantasy tale or fairy tale – work on ways to make it real and in the moment. You can do this with special effects and real time details.

When I have heard stories told by excellent tellers, I leave with that story as a part of me. I keep going back into it. So, I suggest that you set that aftermath, so your story will live on forever!

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(7) Freelance Living – We Need to STRETCH Our Minds

“What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to STRETCH our minds.” - Wayne Dyer, American psychologist

What kinds of thoughts do you think? Earl Nightingale's Strangest Secret was, “We become what we think about all day long.”

Recently, there has been a plethora of material written, shown, and shared about the type of thoughts we embrace on a regular basis. I have noticed that those who hold onto negative thoughts live negative lives. They are the whiners and complainers.

While others who hold onto positive thoughts live positive lives. They are the happy smilers. Which are you? It is not too late to change. And, I feel that with positive thinking, you will love your life more than ever!

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(8) Letters and Feedback from You, Our Readers
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I love receiving FEEDBACK (even if you don't agree with me), so, hit that reply key and let all of us enjoy the fun of hearing from you.

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(9) Who Is Chris King Anyway?
Chris King of Creative Keys loves what she calls her "Portfolio Career." What is that, you ask? It is a life filled with a variety of different careers. For Chris, it includes website design and development, writing, professional storytelling, speaking, training, teaching group fitness classes, desktop publishing and learning everything she can about computers. Her life is loaded with fun, passion, joy and love. If you want to find out more about how Chris can help you or your group, e-mail chris@creativekeys.net or call (440) 918-1313.

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Chris King
36250 Lakeshore Blvd. #303
Eastlake, Ohio 44095
(440) 918-1313
http://www.creativekeys.net

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