How to think like a Genius

We use problem solving every day, over and over again, "creative thinking" if you will, to run our lives. What to cook for tea when every member of the household has different tastes. How to communicate to that employee that they need to change their work habits. Whether or not to continue a particular relationship. We sometimes muddle along without applying any technique. Our solutions could come easier. Just discovered this "in a nutshell" set of tips for problem-solving and thinking skills. Thanks Sneedle Flipsock . Or you could source coaching or workshops on thinking skills at ITC.

Vocabulary Challenges.

When we write, we need to communicate as effectively as we can. And that applies whether we may be a company or organisation executive writing at work, or a private individual flicking off an email. If we use the wrong word, we risk the chance, at least, of being misunderstood, at worst of being misjudged. Here are a few commonly misunderstood words: Adherence, Adhesion – Adherence suggests mental or moral attachment. Adhesion suggests physical attachment He shows ‘adherence’ to the rules. The science teacher discussed the ‘adhesion of the two substances. Among, Between - Use ‘among’ (or amongst) when speaking of three or more. Use ‘between’ for two only Please distribute the books ‘among’ Allan, Colin and Bruce. Please divide the toys ‘between’ Roslyn and Jennifer Appreciable and Appreciate – Use ‘appreciable’ to mean apparent, noticeable and ‘appreciative’ to mean showing appreciation. There is an ‘appreciable profit increase this year. The ‘appreciative’ student thanked her teacher. As, Like - The confusion arises when these two words are used a connecting words. “As” can be used to join two clauses, but ‘like’ which is never a conjunction, cannot. [Remember that a clause must have a verb]. She sings ‘as’ her mother taught her. She sings ‘like a nightingale.’ Consists, Comprises - ‘Consists’ is followed by ‘of’. ‘Comprises’ is not. The house consists of six rooms. The house comprises six rooms. If the impression we create is to be affected by the vocabulary we choose, and if our communication is to succeed or fail depending on our choice of vocabulary, then we need to be as precise as we can. Happy communicating!!

Literary weblogs

Are you interested in literature? Perhaps you belong to a book club and love discussing books. This site has researched Literary weblogs. So the links should provide you with a great deal of fascinating and enjoyable reading.

Playing with words

Love word games? Enjoy the possibilities of writing and using words? Then visit the Washington Post's weekly "Style Invitational" column. For fun times writing and speaking visit an ITC club.

ITC Passions

Communicators Logan City’s last meeting followed Valentine’s Day and, appropriately enough, was themed “Passions.” There was a Round Robin on “How we met,” an education session on “Protocol’ and a workshop on “Rules of Attraction”, followed by a Speech to Inspire entitled “My Passion.” All sessions were evaluated and there was a General Evaluation. For more information visit the Communicators Logan City website.

The Language of Poetry

Keats may have been one of the working class poets, and perhaps he had pretensions above his station. But perhaps Shelley worked to perpetuate his image, and Keats was stronger. Certainly he has left a major heritage. The Mediadrome made Keats the Poet of the Week. For Communication Success Tips, subscribe to our ezine. Visit

Use Language for Meeting Success

When you are using speech at a meeting, use hard-hitting words like think rather than term such as feel or hope. For more efficient, effective meetings, book a workshop for educate you and your group, visit

A Walking Tour of London: Words rule in these descriptions

A walking tour of London: "Orangey-Brown Street was bombed flat during the Second World War, but still has treats in store for fans of modern architecture. Chief among these is Lactose House, which is designed in the Brutalist-Minimal Style... its rough-hewn concrete form was far too minimal to include decorations like doors or windows. It is believed that the architect may still be inside." http://thisisntlondon.blogspot.com/2004/09/london-walks-1-plutonium-andurchins.html For Communication Success Tips subscribe to the Communication Edge ezine. Visit

Five tips for overcoming public speaking nerves

Your mouth is dry, heart palpitating, and knees knocking. You go into panic, facing a dreaded public speaking assignment. It doesn’t have to be so. These five tips will give you some strategies to overcome those symptoms and have the butterflies flying in formation. 1. Deep breathing will pull in oxygen. Adrenalin, secreted to help you deal with the fear brought on by little doubts, causes breaths to become shallow, or causes you to hold your breath. Deep breathing will help your brain work to capacity, and forcing the slower pace will quell the panic. 2. Bluff. Stand tall, with shoulders back and chest out. Smile. Even though you don’t feel happy or confident, do it anyway. You will look confident and your body will fool your brain into thinking it is confident. This really works!! Bluff – body and smile 3. Keep you mouth and throat hydrated. Plan to keep a drink on hand while you are speaking., though this sounds impossible. Visualising how you will use it if you need it, and calling up the audacity to do such a thing will carry across to your attitude as you take your place to speak, placing your glass just where you need it to be. 4. Adrenalin sends the blood rushing to the fight/flight centres of your brain at the base of the skull. Place your hand on your forehead and press gently on the bony points. This will bring the blood to the parts of the brain that need it to present your speech best. 5. Know you are prepared. Obviously this depends on actually being prepared, so take every opportunity in the days leading up to the speech to prepare your material. Be familiar with the structure of the presentation, and the ideas to use. Memorise the most important parts, and the parts you are frightened of forgetting. I would memorise the opening of the speech and in the moments before presenting it, would reassure myself that I knew that part, and that would lead on to the rest. It worked!! If you want to develop your speaking confidence, visit an ITC club. You will have the chance to find the strategies that work for you and perfect them. ITC offers a supportive environment and constructive evaluation for you to develop your communication skills. Visit