Q: “I’m having trouble speaking like I know what I’m talking about on the phone. How do I sound more professional?” – Anonymous
A: Ah, yes, it’s time for the classic “fake it until you make it” technique! Honestly, that’s how you get through it. Before you make a phone call, run through the major points of what you would like to say; maybe even write them down. Any advice I could ever give would include taking deep breaths, so start with some of those. It’s all about pretending you know exactly what you’re doing. Make every stutter appear intentional. A large majority of the people you know are faking that kind of confidence, and it works for them, doesn’t it? Hardly anyone actually knows what they’re doing! Assume an air of confidence even if you don’t have it, and it will take you miles. Relaxing yourself before you dial is key, and it’s important that you remember whoever is on the other end of the line will likely not judge you nearly as harshly as you think they will. If you have someone to practice what you’d like to say with, by all means, take advantage of that and do a practice run right before making the call. If you’re alone, nobody will judge you for doing a practice run by yourself. It’s important to know the central topics you’d like to discuss, and having them written in front of you can ease some of your nerves and avoid forgetfulness. Treat the phone call as if it’s just a casual conversation with a regular person – because that’s exactly what it is! Somehow, the concept of a phone call is much more scary than it really is. Relax, run through your bullet points, and fake it until you make it!
Q: “What is a cute idea for a date in Lake Nona?” – Evan
A: Congrats on the date you’ve secured! I’ll throw out a few options for Lake Nona-focused dates so you can determine what might suit your interests better:
- Date #1: Spend the day soaking up sunshine and adventure by wakeboarding, running the inflatable aqua obstacle course, and scaling the climbing tower at Nona Adventure Park if you’re the adrenaline-junkie types. End your day in the shade at the on-site bistro for some yummy meals to refuel and some drinks to unwind, and congratulate yourselves on conquering the adventure park!
- Date #2: Conduct a photo shoot featuring the art pieces all around the heart of Lake Nona. Put on your freshest fit and take turns posing with Disco the Diamond Dog, the glass house, the angel wings, and the other gorgeous displays and sculptures around the region. End your day with an outdoor picnic in Town Center and review the photos of you both stuntin’ on them.
- Date #3: Start with appetizers and drinks at Boxi Park and throw in some dancing to the jams they are notorious for playing. Then, transition to Nona Blue for a piece of that life-changing carrot cake!
Q: “How do I ask someone on a date?” – Reagan
A: I think this question is an incredibly important one! Asking a person on a date is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences you have to endure as the fear of rejection looms overhead, in a Florida-hurricane-season-like fashion. Knowing the person you’d like to ask out is a significant start. If they’re the quiet, private type, they may not appreciate a flash mob or a loud, public declaration of passion. Put some thought into what you think might make them happy and try not to make them uncomfortable or feel pressured into responding. The modern approach is to text the daunting question, but sometimes people want to be wooed. Maybe bring some flowers, a little care package of their favorite snacks and candies, or a bottle of wine and attach a note asking them on a date if the idea of speaking those words terrifies you. It’s all about knowing the other person and predicting what might make them feel the happiest and the most comfortable – but as soon as you rip off the Band-Aid, hopefully you’ll never have to ask them out again if all goes well!
