~Carry a nametag in your glove compartment. Make one for personal use, another for business use. Then people will feel more comfortable walking up to you in meetings.

~Put your notes on back of duplicates of pictures (photography) you've taken. Then they won't stick out so much from podium (like white paper or index cards do.)

~Practice some opening lines and your handshake before you attend event. Practice using a mirror and ask your family to let you practice on them, too.

~Develop two a 30-second commercials (also called elevator speeches, USP - unique selling propositions). One is for personal use, and other would be for business use. On a recent telelclass I attended, provided by Jay Levinson of Guerilla Marketing fame, suggested creating a 7 word commercial, too. www.coachmaria.com/articles/usp.html

~Remember that everyone in that room is a human being, too. Everyone has their own fears to deal with... and they might even be same as yours.

~Find other ways to build your confidence, too. Email me ones that work for you. maria@coachmaria.com

Integrity Lesson This month, write down all excuses you hear yourself giving others and giving yourself. Look for patterns. Are you not setting boundaries? Are you setting boundaries and person isn't listening? Are you setting boundaries and you're not enforcing those boundaries? Or what other patterns do you see.

And remember: Yes, No and Maybe are all complete sentences!!!

Maria Marsala, Business & Life Coach-Consultant. Maria works with successful individuals as they take their success to an even higher level. Subscribe to "Helping You and Your Business Grow" our free weekly online newsletter or download our serenity cards at http://www.CoachMaria.com/ebook/download.html