The misuse of audiovisuals can seriously detract from an effective training. Avoid these four mistakes:

Mistake #1: Not removing or turning off AV

We consciously use audiovisuals to focus the participants on a key point or picture. However, we forget that, unless we remove the flip chart or turn off the PowerPoint, that is where their focus will remain. When the audiovisual has served its purpose, remove it or turn it off. Flip the page on the flip chart easel or use a computer key or remote to blacken the screen until you need the next slide.

Mistake #2: Staying anchored to the projected AV

In this day and age, there is absolutely no reason why a trainer needs to continually stand close to the projector or computer. There are lots of inexpensive remote controls on the market. A trainer who is tied to the audiovisual equipment is just as static and uninteresting to watch as a trainer who is tied to a lectern. Besides, it is pretty difficult to physically engage with participants when you can’t move.

Mistake #3: Placing all content on the AV

If all of the training content is really on the PowerPoint, then there are two basic conclusions to make. First, either there are a lot of slides or the font size is too small to read and the slide is too filled with text. Second, there is no real need for a trip to a training room. Save travel costs, cancel the training and simply mail the PowerPoint out to the participants.

Mistake #4: Keeping the room lights dim

Yes, we want the participants to be able to see any projected audiovisuals. Yes, dimming the lights can make those projections easier to see on the screen. But there are three problems if you keep the room dim. First, if the participants are only expected to sit and watch the screen without taking notes, they will easily fall into a relaxed mode and possibly nod off. Second, the energy in the room will dissipate quickly. Third, if the participants are expected to take notes, they won’t be able to see. So find a happy medium. If possible, just dim the row of lights directly in front of the screen. If that is not possible, make sure that the projected audiovisual can be clearly seen in full light.

Avoiding these four mistakes and improving how the audiovisuals are presented should make the participant’s learning experience much more effective and enjoyable.

It’s a fair enough question beckoning the attention of everyone from time to time. The trouble is all the bad stuff of life is accumulating in the conscious mind – and hellishness is the felt result. Could I interest you in a better answer? One that could stave off the cloud of hopelessness…

At the level of the conscious moment, when all those little humps and bumps on the road are most adept at ruffling us, another thing remains which is barely noted, but it nonetheless exists: it is patience beyond the moment’s despair. Indeed, it’s a tired message – but one eternally relevant, whether it’s needed for this moment or not.

Fighting Inner Anxiety?

Riling anger that pervades without is a sign of panic within.

External circumstances are what they are, and besides a wretched run of luck, these times are ever present in everyone’s life. It’s just not attributed as a concern during ‘good’ times, that’s all. (Isn’t it funny how ‘accepting’ we are of others’ struggles as they don’t impinge on us?)

The more one person focuses on bad matters or untoward things the more they attract them. So, is it a matter of focus? That’s part of the issue, but it’s inherent to our natures as well.

Fighting the inner anxiety it isn’t, not so much as it’s staying philosophical about life. A lack of focus contributes, but much re-focussing is wearying. The philosophical approach is more ‘user friendly’ (to coin an old phrase); it’s being more realistic.

Breaking Life Down and Expanding It Out

As trials and gloominess occur, threatening our composure, hope and sanity, we can best reflect over the actual issues.

There are possibly four, five or ten things that are troubling us, but one or two of these is more pivotal than the others. Each of these by themselves could be handled. Therefore, we have the opportunity to remind ourselves that these pressures need not be cumulative. Breaking life down creates logic that diminishes the size of our problems. Thus, breathing space and realism is afforded, steadying our way.

Likewise, the opposite ‘bigger’ opportunity remains… too much negative focus is creating tunnel vision to the exclusion of the better things that are always visible. Expanding our vision of life is reminding us that being here is still to be cherished; that much of life is still great.

Christians love one another, right? Well, that’s the theory. Perhaps that’s why church hurts sting more than most when they occur. Not only are relationships tearing at their heart, but there’s the ‘God factor’ ripping through the divide.

Typical exasperated voices that traverse minds of hurt hearts:

1. “How could this happen to (or ‘in’) a church?”

2. “Why would they treat me this way?” says the exiting pastor, knowing no other trade (nor calling in life) than ministry, blindsided by a fickle church vote that ousts him/her.

3. “When did my pastor suddenly decide he/she doesn’t like me?”

Pastors and church leaders are particularly susceptible to hurts – due their commitment and situations of congregants lacking appreciation – but they affect everyone who attends a place, and comes to a community, where trust is supposed to be easy; a ‘given’. Those hurt find their trust displaced for resentment that clings fast. Trust can’t be manufactured.

When Church Hurts

The present-tense is handled first. How difficult is it to remain somewhere that’s not welcoming? And the feeling of ‘welcome’ is a felt-thing. We feel welcome (and loved) or we don’t.

Honesty and courage (honesty being a manifestation of courage) is vital. If honesty is not possible, for whatever reason, it makes situations intolerable. But how many tolerate the intolerable? Sometimes there’s no fix other than to start afresh – so long as we’re not continually church-shopping.

Being honest with a godly leadership is a way through, provided what goes with it is a mature approach to problem-solve. Transgressions (both ways) can be apologised for and forgiven. Ways forward can then be discussed.

Still, there are situations that are just plain difficult with no solution in sight.

Resolving Past Hurts – the Past

Churches are not just made up of Christians, but fallible, hurt-worthy human beings. Not only have people perhaps been hurt by churches and experiences with Christians, everyone has their share of brokenness that’s brought to the table. Dealing with hurt adults is not unlike dealing with children. We’re ‘back there’ in a flash.

‘Sandpaper ministry’ might sound like a character-building exercise, but when hurts are retained – and the temptation is always there – our experience of implicit trust goes south, and with it the intimacy of rapport.

Any time vacant thought about these experiences bridges minds it reinforces the damage. The deep though unvoiced emotion unfolds repetitively – thousands of times. A spiral of hurt attends. The trap is laid.

Awareness and Action

Making something of the hurt and doing something about it also requires honesty and courage – humility driving it. The only way out of these situations (when we’re ready) is through a hard-nosed push to break clear. Admitting the hurt is an important first step (and if someone feels hurt, they’re hurt).

Action is involving others. It’s trusting trustworthy people to share with. Not tolerating the wrangling hurt one second longer than necessary; that’s action.

But balanced with the action is gentility. Compassion is always the key; from those supporting, and for those hurt to be able to have the utmost compassion on themselves during the process.

You should have correct idea about which product should be best collagen firming lotion, before buying any such product. Most of the products that are available in the market, even the famous brand name lotions are downright bad. Use of these products do not help the skin in any way and in many cases they are even harmful for the skin.

The production of really beneficial lotion for the skin requires natural ingredients which are very costly. But most of the companies, even the famous ones, spend very little money in the actual production of the skin care products. They are more interested in spending huge amount of money in advertisement of their products. Consequently, the ingredients used in their products are cheap, bad, poor quality and even harmful for the skin.

To save yourself from getting deceived by the glitzy advertisement of big companies, you must have some awareness about the ingredients needed to make good and effective collagen firming lotion.

Many companies, whose products are available in the market, mention collagen as one of the ingredients in their product’s label. But, scientific studies have proved that collagen molecules are too large to penetrate through the surface of the skin. So, even if they use collagen as an ingredient in their products, it will have zero impact on your skin.

As we age, the production of collagen in our body decreases slowly; hence, we need some product that will increase collagen production. Therefore, you have to select a lotion which contains those natural ingredients that are necessary for the production of collagen.

The following are some of the natural ingredients that increase collagen production -

Cynergy TK – it is extracted from the wool of sheep. Its Functional Keratin stimulates the production and regrowth of collagen.

Phytessence Wakame – it is Japanese kelp. It has the ability to inhibit the activity of hyaluronidase enzyme; hence, the damage caused by this enzyme, that is breaking down of hyaluronic acid, does not occur. As a result, this acid keeps together elastin and collagen.

Coenzyme Q10 – it is available in all of our body cells and essential for healthy skin. With advancement of age, its quantity goes down in our body, thus requiring outside insertion. But the coenzyme Q10 used as a dietary supplement has big molecules which cannot penetrate the surface of the skin. With the help of nano-technology its size has been reduced and it is known as Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10. This nano-emulsion can penetrate deep inside the skin. Therefore, only the presence of Coenzyme Q10 among the ingredients of a product is not enough, as it will fail to penetrate the skin. Hence, only where Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 is used it will be effective as it promotes collagen production and most effective in repairing free radical damage.

Active Manuka Honey – it also produces collagen.

Only those products where the above mentioned ingredients are present will be best collagen firming lotion and with their use your skin will become firm, flexible, soft and healthy.