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Darryl Pendergrass
Author's posts
May 09
Review – Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery
Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Presentation Zen provides numerous ways to enhance presentations and delivery of presentations. Garr discusses the many things that most of us hate about many presentations but we still continue to see them used almost on a daily basis.
My own company is bent on developing “slidumentation.” Like Garr, I agree this is poor approach to providing process documentation. Even before reading this book, I mentioned several times to senior management how the context of the documentation is lost the moment the information session about that process documentation is completed. Garr provides several tips to overcome this problem.
I truly enjoyed the techniques shared about simplifying visuals to enhance the presentation rather than visuals that compete for the focus on the information the speaker provides. I am thankful for my mentors who have shared some techniques with me in the past and I look forward to implementing some of the techniques presented in this book.
I recommend this book to those that regularly present information. The techniques, when implemented, will improve your capabilities as a presenter.
Permanent link to this article: http://darrylpendergrass.com/Blog/review-presentation-zen-simple-ideas-on-presentation-design-and-delivery/
May 08
Review – Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing
Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing: How to Use Digital Self-Publishing, Social Media and Common Sense to Start Earning A Living … or Shouting ‘Down With The Big Six!’) by Catherine Ryan Howard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Catherine, in her book ‘Self-Printed’, provides solid advice to aspiring authors and independent publishers. The lessons she shares from her experience paralleled my personal experience closely. I just had to learn the harder way because I was unaware of her book at the time I worked on my own. I recommend that those aspiring to publish independently first read this book. You will minimize your headaches and get a big picture view along with some details for delivering a successful product.
In the chapter, How to Sell Self-Published Books, she answered some questions that I could not locate through other searches or material. The topic about the relationship between print-on-demand and brick and mortar bookstores.
The only minor shortcoming that I noticed, probably because of my technical bent, was coverage about graphics. Rather than provide details, Catherine relied on her graphic designer. Although available elsewhere, coverage of graphics (resolution, conversion, and other topics) would prove useful to those new to independent publishing.
I recommend Catherine’s book for those considering taking the plunge into the independent publishing area.
Permanent link to this article: http://darrylpendergrass.com/Blog/review-self-printed-the-sane-persons-guide-to-self-publishing/
May 02
May – National Brain Tumor Awareness Month
May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the United States and nearly 60,000 people when accounting for all primary brain and central nervous system tumors.
In recognition of National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, I am
donating $3 to the National Brain Tumor Society for every “Suddenly a Caregiver” paperback sold through Amazon and Createspace during the month of May 2013.
Q: Why are you only donating for sales through Amazon and Createspace?
A: I received reports in near real-time though the Amazon and Createspace sales channels. Other sales channels have reporting delays of up to three months.
Permanent link to this article: http://darrylpendergrass.com/Blog/may-national-brain-tumor-awareness-month/
Apr 12
Tip for Caregivers – Take Care of Yourself Too!
Caring for someone that is seriously ill is difficult and time-consuming work. For the new caregiver, absorbing the new responsibility into an already busy life can be overwhelming. This article provides some advice about taking care of yourself to enhance your effectiveness as a caregiver and serves to reduce your stress at the same time.
Focus on Your Own Health and Well-being
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving report, about 17% of the caregivers reported a decline in their own health since the start of the caregiving. Just eight months into my caregiving experience, I suffered a heart attack. The event served to remind me of the need to care for myself. I recovered quickly from the heart attack but the event reminded me that I could not perform my care giving responsibilities properly if my own heath suffered. Therefore, it is important to underscore the need for caregivers to find the time to take care of your own physical and mental wellbeing. Ensuring your own health and well-being prevents you from becoming ineffective as a caregiver.
Time with Family and Friends
The caregiving report also revealed that over half of caregivers stated that caregiving reduced the time they spent with their family and friends. Those who sacrificed that time with family and friends reported a higher stress level than those who maintained their time with family and friends (47% compared to 14%). It is easy to withdrawal from friends and family during the caregiving experience because of the new demands on one’s life. However, as this study reports, withdrawing or minimizing time with family and friends can lead to increased stress levels.
Prolonged Stress and Burnout
Prolonged stress can lead eventually to burnout. Burnout is often associated with overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of detachment, and a sense of becoming ineffective. Anxiety and depression are common side effects reported by caregivers. Learning about stress and burnout along with the effects on your personal well-being are necessary for early recognition and application of preventative techniques or treatments. The caregiver role often includes riding the emotional roller coaster that results from stress and uncertainty about the future. For me, one beneficial technique was listening to friends and family. They often recognized or sensed the stress that I felt before I did. Listening, followed by actions to face and address the stress were critical to managing my personal well-being.
Find Time for Yourself
Finding time to care for yourself is a critical step toward maintaining your own well-being as a caregiver. What works for one person might not work for another so it is important that you find what works for you. Some people share that exercising, meditating, or listening to music provides the alone time needed to help relieve stress. Others share that going to the movies, taking walks, hiking, or going for a coffee with a friend provided the time needed to reflect on themselves. The bottom line is that you must find what works for you. Find some time for yourself to allow your own body and mind to recuperate and re-energize.
Caring for your own health and well-being is not a selfish act. Some believe that focusing solely on the needs of the care recipient is the noble and correct thing to do. However, a need for balance exists, especially in a prolonged caregiving situation. Caring for yourself is actually a selfless endeavor since taking care of yourself enables you to take care of your loved one more effectively than you could if you allowed stress to dominate your life.
References
National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009). Caregiving in the U.S. 2009). Retrieved from http://www.caregiving.org/pdf/research/Caregiving_in_the_US_2009_full_report.pdf
Permanent link to this article: http://darrylpendergrass.com/Blog/tip-for-caregivers-take-care-of-yourself-too/
Apr 12
Glioblastoma and Caregiver Internet Finds
Interesting articles related to glioblastoma and caregivers that I read this week.
Running for Jennie – Kristin Elmore
http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2012/03/running-for-jennie.html
Kristin cared for her friend Jennie, who battled glioblastoma – a stage 4 brain tumor cancer. She was impressed by the courage and strength that Jennie displayed in her fight. I am encouraged to hear this theme on a frequent basis. I am strengthened to both witness and hear about such strength and courage. I am also grateful to hear of Jennie’s unselfish and fearless approach toward organ donation. I share a very similar story in my book Suddenly a Caregiver.
Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466024256803333
Neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., discusses the basics of glioblastoma, a malignant primary brain tumor, including risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis.
Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 2
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466748153397610
MD Anderson neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., explains treatment, clinical trials and research for glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor. He also offers advice.
Early Results of Activartis AV0113 Cancer Immunotherapy in Glioblastoma Trial Reveal Promising Trend
http://pipelinereview.com/index.php/2013041150680/Vaccines/Early-Results-of-Activartis-AV0113-Cancer-Immunotherapy-in-Glioblastoma-Trial-Reveal-Promising-Trend.html
Permanent link to this article: http://darrylpendergrass.com/Blog/glioblastoma-and-caregiver-internet-finds/
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