Thoughts after Reading: Talk Like TED

Written by Carmine Gallo, Talk Like TED is an analysis of the best presentations in the now-famous TED conferences.

The author picked out the common denominators behind what made these presentations so compelling to listen to and categorised them into:

1) Passion

2) Story-telling skills

3) Being conversational with the audience

4) Presenting novelty

5) Jaw-dropping moments

6) Multi-sensory experiences

Having had these experiences, I must say that the author is right on the money with these.

On a personal note, I love a good story and thus I find good story-telling skills particularly compelling. I highly recommend the book. After all, we will each have at least one major presentation in our lives. Why not make it good enough to be featured on TED?

A Quote by Peter Drucker

"Teaching is the only major occupation of man for which we have not yet developed tools that make an average person capable of competence and performance. In teaching we rely on the 'naturals', the ones who somehow know how to teach."

A Diversity of New Projects in the Month of May

I just finished a week-long project at Hwa Chong Institution for one of the Sabbatical Programmes. This one was on Biodiversity.

This was the second time that I have been in Hwa Chong this year. The first was in March for another Sabbatical Programme on Drosophila - fruit flies.

The compound of the school is well-maintained and planted with a large variety of different flora - a very conducive environment for focus on studies. At the moment, it is still undergoing changes and renovations. Due to the size of the school, I can imagine that it will be taking quite a while longer. 

My upcoming projects include a Microbiology course and the rest of a Forensic Science course that started earlier this week.

Biodiversity, microbiology and forensic science - such a diversity of topics in just two weeks. Having had such a busy first quarter, I have experienced the importance of purposefully taking time to rest and I will be mindful of it during this period.

Of course, I'm glad to have the opportunity to refresh my memory and continue to practise my lab skills in these areas. Not only that, I have the chance to continue to hone my delivery and presentation abilities. 

Did I ever mention that I love what I do?

My Book Cover!

It's ready!

Now to actually finish writing the interior.

I've been asked about the significance of the picture.

It is a representation of an introvert. Introverts tend to close themselves off to others but when they finally open up, others can see the treasure within, produced from long internal processing.

I hope you like it as much as I do.