Mary Claire O'Neal - Communication Consultant
www.maryclaireoneal.com

Through most of my life I was extremely shy. Painfully shy. When I was a junior in college, I realized that I needed to do something about my shyness if I was going to function effectively in the world. I signed up for an introductory acting class, (with great trepidation), in hopes that it would help. It not only helped, but after having to take a lead in a main stage production as part of the requirement for the course, I found that I was good at it. I liked it so much that I stayed an extra year so that I could take more acting and theatre classes, (in addition to finishing up my degree in Education and English). I went on to graduate school at Notre Dame but realized that I wanted to act professionally, so I quit graduate school and went on an audition trip to NYC. The first audition landed me my first professional acting job that lasted a whole season.

I was a union actor for over 10 years, and in 1986 found myself at the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain studying and working with Anthony Hopkins. I had met my goals as an actor, so after I returned back to the States, I took a sabbatical to think about what I wanted to do. What I came up with was that I enjoyed acting and directing, but it was a vehicle in my life to help me learn and become a better communicator. I was grateful for those years of creativity and growth -- my career in the theatre had served it purpose. I wanted to share what I had learned with others.

I started off teaching "Acting for Non-Actors" Workshops because I wanted to work with others who had fears or communication challenges, like I had. These workshops eventually evolved into Communication Workshops. After several years of getting some experience with my presentations and developing content, (as well as serving as a mental health educator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and then as director of a resort-spa), I officially launched my speaking and consulting business in 1995.

Back in 1995, doing a business plan really helped me make the concept of my business concrete. It helped me answer questions like: Who will I market to? How will I market? What are all the services and workshops I'll offer? What are my fees? I found out early on that doing training for corporations, non-profits and service organizations was a mainstay, as well as keynotes and breakout sessions for conferences.

Over the years, "Communication" has become a very large umbrella for the many types of workshops and keynotes I offer: Effective Communication; Unifying Communication; Team Building; Life Balance; Humor; Presentation Skills; Play; Joyful Living, etc. I love it. I'm constantly updating and efining.

After I would do a plenary or keynote for, sometimes, 500 or more people, invariably, there would a line of people waiting to ask me if I had a book they could buy. It finally became clear to me, though, that to take my work to the next level, I needed to write the book that had been in my head for quite some time. I realized that I just didn't have the time to write a tome of several hundred pages and that most people don't have the time to read a non-fiction book that long. So, I decided to start with a short format book of say 100-150 pages and do a series. "Becoming What You Want to See in the World" was published in the Spring, has sold very well, and I've asked myself why it took me so long to get around to doing it! I was very honored by an endorsement (which appears on the back cover) from Arun Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi's grandson). The title is a take-off from the quote by M.K. Gandhi, "Be the Change You Want to See in the World."

That's a very good question for someone like me, because I'm a bit of a workaholic. I'm passionate about what I do, and I love it. But, my physical self consistently needs attention (I have a few health issues that I have to give focus and time to) as well as quality time with my dear husband.

I've found that in order for me to find balance in my daily life, I have to make prioritization lists regularly, and those things that feed me in my personal life need to be just as much of a priority as those things that feed me in my work. What I have a tendency to do, though, is to underestimate the time it takes for me to get things done. So, I'm constantly putting more things on my list than is realistic. I just have to say, "That's enough. I have to stop so I can go on a walk before it gets dark and then go see a fun movie with my husband." Or, "If I don't stop now, I won't have time to cook a healthy meal and we'll end up eating something out that is not as healthy."

Do a business plan -- a concise and detailed one. It puts your mind on notice that you mean business. Check out your local or regional Small Business Development Center. Many of their services are free or at a very low cost. Take baby steps toward your goals -- don't expect things to happen overnight. Do free gigs to get experience. Also, never underestimate the importance of marketing! Learn to write good, relevant press releases and put together a marketing or press packet.

I'm really touched when I get an email or a letter from someone who tells me that they related to my story (or used a communication tool from my workshop) and that it helped them overcome fear and to begin taking those baby steps toward manifesting dreams or creating more ease with others and in life. It's also gravy when someone takes the time out of their busy life to let me know that they liked my book and found it practical or motivating in some way. Gosh, that's what got me into what I do. I wanted to share what I had learned (and am still learning!).

I'm a fairly new member, but I'm already seeing how practical membership is for networking , marketing, sharing stories and finding a support system out there.

Labels: wild we member of the month