As an example, if you were giving a presentation on your business opportunity, you might begin by talking about economy (general), and how hard it is for some people to make ends meet (a little more specific). Then, you would discuss how nice it would be for your audience to have some extra money to pay bills or buy that luxury item they've always wanted (more specific). Then, finally, you would introduce your opportunity as a way that they could accomplish this (even more specific).

As you can see, this format is a nice way of leading into a subject. By using triangle, you can "ease" your way into making your main point at end of introduction. The inverted triangle certainly isn't only way to structure an introduction, but it is very helpful when an introduction doesn't spring instantly to mind.

Such is plight of a two-year old, or was that a teenager? The only real differences are braces and acne.

Both have to learn how to maneuver in a body that is growing faster than they are. Both have so much to learn. At two, it is counting to ten; as a teen, it is algebra and calculus. For each, it is just as much of a challenge. Both need to explore their ever expanding world. At two, that is rarely out of a parent's sight; for a teen, limits drop as whole world is opened up. Decisions and responsibilities expand too, from learning hot and cold, to more complex issues of life and interpersonal relationships.

Then there is communication. At two, vocabulary may be limited but it is quite sufficient to convey one's basic needs. With practice, single word commands expand into three word sentences that make it easier to deal with parents and others. Teens are no different. They have more words, but need to develop a greater command of language in order to get their more complex ideas across to others.

Both go through frustration of all these issues and of not being understood and, when that boils over, there is little difference between a tantrum on living room floor and stomping off to your bedroom and slamming door. The lessons are basically same, only scale changes.

Oddly enough, lesson here is probably best given to parents or those teens who will be parents: The "Terrible Twos" are not really that terrible, especially once you get past them and, for that matter, neither are those teenage years. Just remember that both are growing and need to be understood. You, no doubt, recall being a teenager yourself more than you do having been two. As a parent, you have advantage of seeing both stages in your child. The moral of this story is they are no different than a one-year old who learned how to walk. No matter how many times they fell they got back up and tried again because you were there to support them. Dr Bill Gallagher is director of Run Drugs Out of Town Run, Inc. http://rundrugsoutoftownrun.org

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