Articles by Silvana Clark

 

Need a Unique Stocking Stuffer

It's that time of year again...the time when you need a small gift or stocking stuffer for a neighbor or co-worker. Don't Panic! Just get them a Panic button or other fun novelty computer key. They'll enjoy pushing the Panic button all year long!

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I recently presented a workshop on  Help! I Have to Give A Speech! My goal was to get people to relax and not feel the urge to panic when standing in front of a room of people. Here are a few hints:

 

 

        Memorize your opening and closing. This gives you confidence that at least two portions of the speech are structured so you don t have to think about them.

 

 

        Try to have one  Wow factor. It doesn t have to be super dramatic. Simply bring in a prop, offer an extra handout or share a very unusual statistic. I often hide PANIC buttons under everyone s chair as an extra surprise in my presentations on stress reduction.

 

 

        People are getting tired of PowerPoint. If you must use it, only have 7-10 words on the screen at any time and please, please, DO NOT simply turn your back to the audience and read the screen!

 

 

With just those tips, your speech is sure to be a success!

 

 

 

Ever feel the urge to stress out and PANIC Take some advice from Oprah:

Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it's right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.
Still want to Panic Buy a Panic button and add a little humor to your life.

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Don't Panic if Your Kids Don't Want to Play Games

Ask your tween if he or she wants to play Monopoly and you will get the ever-popular combination of eye rolling accompanied by an emphatic "No Way!" It is easy to assume your pre-teen child has outgrown games and family pastimes.

No Way! Many researchers label tweens as being "pseudo-sophisticated". Tweens act as if they are too cool to spend time interacting with parents or doing something as mundane as going out for pizza. Yet get them involved in a lively family activity and suddenly they become engaged in age-appropriate fun. In our house, a simple game of Hide and Seek takes on "professional" standards. We give a three hour advance notice of the game so everyone can secretly prepare a few hiding places. This means emptying the 50-pound bag of dog food for our St. Bernard so our daughter can hide inside. My husband has been known to bring in a sheet of plywood to construct a false front in a closet. When our daughter was 13, a friend came over right before the Clark Family Hide and Seek Extravaganza began. The friend gave us a typical, "I could never lower myself to a game of Hide and Seek" look. (Complete with eye rolling!) Five minutes later, she asked us to play again since she was caught up in the fun of playing this traditional childhood game. In face, we ended up playing five times because Kate kept begging, "Please, can we do it again It was so much fun!" Don't panic when it seems your tween is growing up too fast. A little family interaction brings out the kid in everyone.

 

Pinpoint What Makes You Panic

We have all felt cranky when dealing with stress from being up all night with a feverish baby to dealing with crashed computers. "Studies show humor reduces stress and increases productivity", says Silvana Clark, author and professional speaker. "Rather than getting a headache and feeling overwhelmed, try some of these stress reduction techniques that add light-heartedness to your day. Pinpoint the problem causing you stress. Some people complain, "My teenager is driving me crazy!" While it's true teens can push their parent's buttons, narrow down exactly what is stressing you. Is it your teen's sloppy bedroom Their one-word answers Failing grades When you pinpoint the cause of stress, you have a better chance of solving the problem.

 

 

Reduce Stress With Novelty Panic Buttons

Ever feel overwhelmed with trying to balance all the responsibility and stress that comes with balancing your professional and personal life
Teenagers driving you crazy with demands for their own car
Have a demanding boss

"Studies show humor reduces stress and increases productivity," says Silvana Clark, author and professional speaker. "Rather than getting a headache and feeling overwhelmed, try using humor to add light-heartedness to your day."

Some ways to incorporate humor in the workplace include:

 

• Encourage co-workers to post funny cartoons by the printer, giving you something to look at while waiting for copies to be made.
• Try celebrating untraditional holidays such as National Chocolate Day, International Puzzle Day and Baby Boomer Day.
• Physical exercise reduces stress. Use your break for a brisk walk around the office. (Outside if possible!)

PANIC keys make great gag gifts. Some people enjoy anonymously attaching a PANIC button to co-worker's keyboards.

A Mother Superior even ordered ten PANIC buttons to give to nuns at her convent.

While the PANIC button serves no actual purpose, it does bring a smile to people facing frustration as they sit at their computer.