Overcoming nerves and improving public speaking… Improving English pronunciation as a native Japanese speaker… If you’re interested in either of these topics, I have some surprising “less effort, more impact” ways that you can improve, so read on. American English...

It’s taken me OVER A YEAR to pluck up the courage to post the video of my Burns Night speech! That’s because I don’t usually make fun of people or say rude words - but I do in this speech. Making fun of men and using colorful language is fully expected in the...

Have you ever experienced that when you’re reaching a new level of success or happiness, suddenly things start to go wrong? You just got a fabulous new job… You have a fantastic opportunity to speak at a conference… You’re in a wonderful new relationship… You’re just...

Have you set goals for yourself in 2024? Maybe you have work goals that you’re expected to meet or personal goals, like improving your English, exercising more, passing an exam, decluttering, finding more time for yourself… In the past, I used to repeat the same...

Do you have a word of the year? I’ve chosen one every year since I first learned about this technique from one of my coaches almost 10 years ago. Before that I was easily distracted by new possibilities, unclear about what was most important to me, and spreading...

As we step into the Year of the Dragon, what can we learn from the wisdom of this magical creature?  If, in ‘23, you fell victim to overdoing, overthinking, and overcaring (worrying about what others think and always putting them first), now is the time to turn to the...

I was on the train from London Kings Cross to visit my parents last week. A Chinese woman was sitting next to me.  She told me that she’d just graduated from university in Leeds. She LOVED the UK. She said she’d become more confident since moving there to study. I was...