Laurie Delk

Laying the Foundation: Understanding the Power of Public Speaking:

This sets the stage, exploring why it matters in various contexts & building initial confidence.

Start with a Hook: Begin with a captivating story, a surprising statistic, or a thought-provoking question about communication or influence. For example:
- “Imagine a world where brilliant ideas remain unheard, where passionate pleas fall flat, where the power to connect and inspire is untapped. That world exists, but it doesn’t have to be ours.”
- “Did you know that fear of public speaking consistently ranks higher than the fear of heights or even spiders for many people? Yet, within that very challenge lies an incredible opportunity.”
Introduce your Topic and Its Significance: Clearly state that the speech is about understanding the foundational power of public speaking. Emphasize that it’s not just about giving presentations, but about effective communication in its broadest sense.
State the Purpose (Your Goal for the Audience): Let the audience know what you hope they will gain from this session. For example: “My aim today is to illuminate why public speaking is a vital skill in all aspects of life and to ignite your belief in your own potential to become a powerful communicator.”
Briefly Outline What You’ll Cover: Give a roadmap of the key areas you’ll touch upon.

(Why Public Speaking Matters – Approximately 10-12 minutes)

Personal Growth and Empowerment:
- Building Confidence: Share examples of how conquering the fear of public speaking can translate to increased self-assurance in other areas of life. “Each time you speak up, you’re not just delivering a message; you’re building a muscle of confidence that will serve you in every interaction.”
- Developing Critical Thinking: Explain how preparing a speech requires analyzing information, structuring arguments, and thinking on your feet, thereby sharpening cognitive skills.
- Finding Your Voice: Emphasize that public speaking provides a platform to share unique perspectives, passions, and ideas, allowing individuals to truly be heard. “Your experiences, your insights – they matter. Public speaking is about finding the courage to share them.”
Professional Advancement and Leadership:
- Effective Communication in the Workplace: Highlight how clear and persuasive communication is essential for teamwork, presentations, leadership roles, and career progression. “In the professional landscape, your ability to articulate your ideas effectively can be the key differentiator.”
- Influencing and Persuading: Discuss how public speaking skills are crucial for influencing stakeholders, selling ideas, and driving change. “Whether you’re leading a team or proposing a new initiative, the power to persuade through your words is invaluable.”
- Building Your Network: Explain how speaking opportunities can connect you with new people, expand your professional circle, and create opportunities for collaboration.
Civic Engagement and Making a Difference:
- Advocating for Causes: Show how public speaking can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, mobilizing support, and advocating for issues you care about. “Your voice can be an instrument for change, amplifying important messages and inspiring action.”
- Community Involvement: Discuss how speaking at local events, meetings, or organizations can contribute to your community and foster connection.
- Shaping Public Discourse: Emphasize the role of effective communication in shaping opinions and contributing to important societal conversations.

(Building Initial Confidence – Approximately 10-12 minutes)

Demystifying the Fear: Acknowledge that nervousness is normal and even experienced speakers feel it. Reframe it as energy rather than a negative force. “That flutter in your stomach? That’s not fear; it’s anticipation, it’s energy waiting to be channeled.”
Focusing on the Message, Not Just Yourself: Shift the focus from personal anxieties to the value of the message being delivered. “When you truly believe in what you’re saying, that passion becomes contagious and overshadows your nervousness.”
Small Steps, Big Gains: Encourage starting with low-stakes speaking opportunities (e.g., contributing in meetings, sharing with small groups) to build confidence gradually. “Every time you speak, no matter how small the audience, you’re building a foundation for greater confidence.”
The Power of Preparation: Emphasize that thorough preparation is a key antidote to anxiety. Knowing your material well significantly reduces nervousness. “Confidence isn’t just about personality; it’s often a direct result of diligent preparation.”
Visualizing Success: Introduce the technique of mentally rehearsing a successful speech, focusing on positive outcomes and feelings of accomplishment. “Your mind is a powerful tool. Visualize yourself speaking confidently and connecting with your audience.”
Connecting with Your Audience (Even When Nervous): Highlight the importance of making eye contact and speaking with genuine warmth, even if feeling anxious. “Remember, your audience wants you to succeed. Connect with them, and that connection will fuel your confidence.”
Reframing “Mistakes”: Encourage a growth mindset, viewing minor stumbles as learning opportunities rather than failures. “It’s okay to not be perfect. Every speaker has moments they’d like to redo. The key is to learn and keep going.”

(Conclusion – Approximately 3-4 minutes)

Summarize Key Takeaways: Briefly reiterate the core reasons why public speaking is powerful and the initial steps towards building confidence.
Call to Action (Inspirational): Encourage the audience to embrace the opportunity to develop their speaking skills. “I urge you to see public speaking not as a hurdle, but as a launchpad – a chance to amplify your voice, connect with others, and make your unique mark on the world.”
End with a Strong and Memorable Statement: Leave the audience with a final thought that resonates and motivates them.
- “The power to move hearts and minds lies within each of you. Embrace the journey of becoming a confident and impactful speaker.”
- “Your voice has the power to inspire, to educate, to lead. It’s time to let it be heard.”

Throughout the Speech:

Maintain an Enthusiastic and Engaging Tone: Your energy will be contagious.
Use Vivid Language and Imagery: Paint pictures with your words.
Incorporate Personal Anecdotes (if appropriate and authentic): Sharing your own experiences can make the message more relatable.
Use Rhetorical Questions: Engage the audience’s thinking.
Vary Your Vocal Delivery: Use changes in pace, pitch, and volume to emphasize points and maintain interest.
Maintain Confident Body Language: Stand tall, make eye contact, and use natural gestures.

Boomerang

My mom’s wisdom, that “life is a boomerang,” resonates with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of our actions and the world around us. It’s more than just a folksy saying; it’s a fundamental principle that shapes not only our individual experiences but also the very fabric of our communities.

To live with the awareness that what we project outward inevitably returns is to embrace a powerful sense of responsibility. Every interaction, every word spoken, every deed performed sends a ripple into the world, and those ripples, in their own time and way, find their way back to us. This isn’t about a transactional view of the universe, a simple tit-for-tat. Instead, it speaks to the subtle yet undeniable forces of cause and effect that govern human relationships and personal growth.

Treating others with inherent respect and kindness, simply because “it’s the right thing to do,” cultivates a positive environment that benefits everyone. It fosters trust, encourages collaboration, and builds bridges of understanding. When we operate from a place of genuine goodwill, we contribute to a collective well-being that ultimately enriches our own lives, even in ways we may not immediately perceive.

The most poignant part of my mom’s wisdom lies in the recognition that life’s journey is rarely a smooth, uninterrupted ascent. There will be times when we face our own storms, when the rosy hues fade, and challenges cast long shadows. It is during these very times that the principle of the boomerang becomes most vital. The compassion and empathy we extend to others during their struggles create a reservoir of goodwill that can offer solace and support when we ourselves are in need.

Think about it: when you’ve offered a hand to someone navigating a difficult patch, haven’t you often found unexpected kindness and support when you faced your own trials? It’s not always a direct exchange, but the spirit of generosity and understanding you’ve cultivated often returns in unforeseen ways, carried on the currents of human connection.

This isn’t just about being nice; it’s about building a foundation of resilience, both individually and collectively. By consistently choosing kindness, by acting with integrity, and by extending love especially when others are vulnerable, we create a world where support and understanding are more readily available for everyone, including ourselves. My mom’s words are a powerful call to live intentionally, to recognize the impact of our actions, and to embrace the profound truth that in giving and loving, we ultimately receive in return. It truly does matter.

Thoughts

Thoughts – create your future in your MIND before it is ever
created.
Your thoughts will lead to words.
If you think something enough – you will say the words….
If you say them enough – you will take ACTION on it
When you take ACTION consistently, it will become a HABIT
When you repeat GOOD habits – that will create your CHARACTER
When you create your character, that FIXES your DESTINY.

#thoughts #future #mindset #words #action #habits #Character #destiny

Local business person of the year

Esteemed colleagues, valued community members, and cherished friends,

5 years in a row

May be an image of text that says 'លា5$ BUSINESS PERSON OF LOCAL Laurie Laurie Delk- THE CA Laurie Delk Radecki Radecki Columbia YEAR Alignable 2025 Local Business Person Of 2025'

Words seem insufficient to express the profound gratitude I feel for being honored with the “Local Business Person of the Year” award for the fifth consecutive year on #Alignable. This remarkable recognition is not merely a personal achievement, but a testament to the collective spirit, unwavering support, and collaborative energy that defines our vibrant community.

To each and every one of you who took the time to cast your vote, I extend my deepest and most sincere thanks. Your belief in my contributions, your recognition of our shared vision, and your continued encouragement are the cornerstones of my professional journey. It is your trust that fuels my passion and inspires me to strive for excellence in all that we do.

This award symbolizes more than individual accomplishment; it represents the power of collaboration and the strength of our local business ecosystem. In an era where connection and support are paramount, your commitment to uplifting and empowering one another is truly inspiring. It reminds us that success is not a solitary pursuit, but a shared endeavor, woven together by the threads of mutual respect and collective ambition.

Over the past five years, we have navigated #challenges, celebrated #triumphs, and witnessed the transformative #impact of our collective efforts. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to serving our community with #integrity, #innovation, and unwavering #dedication. I am more #motivated than ever to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our local businesses, fostering an environment where entrepreneurship thrives and dreams take flight.

Let us continue to build upon this foundation of #collaboration, fostering a #community where every individual feels #valued, #supported, and #empowered to achieve their fullest potential. Let us embrace the spirit of #innovation, #champion the power of #collaboration, and remain steadfast in our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

Thank you once again for this incredible #honor. Your support is the wind beneath my wings, and I am deeply #grateful for the #opportunity to serve alongside each and every one of you. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for our community.

Alignable Local Business Person of the Year

Esteemed colleagues, valued community members, and cherished friends,

How to get 10,000 steps in a day

10,000 STEPS A DAY

How Do You Get Your Steps In?

Say you are awake 7am-1 0pm

That is approx 715 steps / hour

7-8am – 715 steps

2-3pm – 5720 steps

8-9am – 1430 steps

3-4pm – 6435 steps

9-10am – 2145 steps

4-5pm – 7150 steps

10-1 1am – 2860 steps

5-6рm – 7865 steps

11am-12pm – 3575 steps

7-8pm – 8580 steps

12-1pm – 4290 steps

8-9pm – 9295 steps

1-2pm – 5005 steps

9-10pm – 10,010 steps

Check your FitBit or Apple Watch every hour where you are for the day & just do some marching steps for 5-10 min if you need more

Adjust if your waking hours are different

IDEAS:

with my grandson toddler, I check my watch each hour, and if I don’t have my steps in up to that point – we march around the kitchen/living room – he LOVES that.

Crank up some music and have impromptu dance parties throughout the day. Toddlers love to move, and you’ll get your heart rate up too.

Incorporate silly dances or follow-the-leader movements.

Do some silly walks while putting away laundry.

Hide toys or objects and have your toddlers (and you!) walk around to find them.

Follow the leader – can be used to add in many extra steps. By having him follow you around the house, and doing many different movements.

Simple Ways to Add Steps:

Extra Trips:

When doing household tasks, intentionally take extra trips. For example, carry laundry one item at a time, or make multiple trips when putting away groceries.

Walk While Talking:

When on the phone, walk around the house instead of sitting.

Stair Climbing:

If you have stairs, take advantage of them! Climb up and down a few times throughout the hour.

Walking in Place:

While watching TV or waiting for something to cook, walk in place.

Tips for Success:

Make it Fun: The key is to make movement enjoyable for both you and your toddlers.

Be Consistent: Even small amounts of movement throughout the day add up.

Involve Your Toddlers: When they’re engaged, you’re more likely to stay active too.