If you still have a job and you're not on the front lines, you're probably spending a lot of time on Zoom. 

This might feel awkward at first, but just like public speaking and learning to play a new sport, it gets easier with practice.

I was already using Zoom to connect with clients, but now that leaving the house isn't an option, I've been spending a lot more time having virtual meetings, coaching sessions, coffee chats, happy hours, seders, craft dates, birthday parties (I turned 43 in quarantine), you get the idea. 

That's why I was delighted to share virtual work hacks, along with 4 other smart thinkers, to make your Zoom meetings more engaging in this #CareerCraft article for Brightly.

I taught 2 workshops last week, one for a nonprofit client on public speaking and one a collaboration with Danielle Zeitlin Hughes.

We had a great response and it turns out a lot of people want to create presentations (and Linkedin profiles and About pages) chock full of personality so keep your eyes peeled for more workshops coming your way. 

Last night I was reading to my 6-year old and thinking about how reading in character, acting out gestures, and being really playful with storytime is a great way to practice your speaking skills.  

So while you're at home, whether you're quarantining with children or without, I encourage you to make the most of your practice time, and try out these 9 steps to Emerge from Quarantine Speaking Like an Expert.

If I can be helpful in building your presence, putting together your signature talk or communicating with your team and clients through crisis, reach out. 

Just because the world is in chaos, doesn’t mean your communication has to be.

For the last few weeks, I’ve had this eerie experience waking up in the morning. 

Just before I open my eyes, I wonder whether the current state of the world is truly happening. 

For a split second I think maybe, just maybe, the twilight zone will end and I'll open my eyes to the New York I remember, to Brooklyn pre-coronavirus.

Raise your hand if you can relate. 

So how do you get out of bed when you'd rather stay under the covers?

Here are a few things that keep me going:

1. I have a 6-year-old.

Staying in bed is simply not an option.

2. I have work to do. 

Last week, I facilitated a workshop for the Jewish Museum that was supposed to be in person but moved online. I feel grateful that my work translates to virtual and that I have the luxury of staying home.

I love bringing people together for laughter and learning, and empowering others to speak up, share their ideas, and lead their teams. Work grounds me in purpose when the world has turned upside down.

3. I have people to lean on and people leaning on me.

I might be on physical lockdown but that doesn’t keep me from connecting with my community.

In March, I took part in Jenn Da Silva's Connect4Women challenge, to help women foster strong female networks.

When I wanted help spreading the word about Nancy Rhodes NYC Face Masks Initiative, I went to my network.

When I needed someone to pick up groceries for my brother (he's a nurse and has been sick with covid), I reached out to my network.

#Connect4Women is continuing into April so if there’s someone you want me to connect you with, reach out. That goes for everyone reading, regardless of gender identity.

And if we’re not connected on Linkedin, connect with me here.

4. Quarantine or not, I still have my creativity.

As my wise friend Jeff said, I’m pretty good at entertaining myself.

What I’m not so good at is homeschooling and teaching reading. So for right now, we’re focusing on activities that feed our creative spirit, things we both enjoy like coloring and crafting.

What about you?

Can I be helpful during this time?

If you’re looking for ways to talk about your work or yourself in authentic fun ways, join next week’s workshop Create an Engaging Presentation Chock Full of Personality. I’m teaming up with Danielle Zeitlin Hughes for 90 minutes of hands-on activities to help you create content that highlights your creativity - content you can use to update your Linkedin profile, write a new About page, or finally start that signature talk,

Tickets are here and limited to 15 people so grab an early bird ticket now.

If you want help engaging your team and communicating remotely, I'm here to support you. Email me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com.

How are you doing?

School closures, shelter in place orders, new coworkers in your home office – it feels like a month has gone by and it's only been a week.

Coworking with my hubby and 6-year old was about what you'd expect... loud, lots of juggling, and a fair amount of crying on the floor.

Some members of my household cried... and the rest wanted to. 

What about you? How are you holding up?

People are coping in such different ways so today I wanted to share 4 resources that might be helpful in providing stress relief, laughter, and connection in this time of physical distancing.

1. Feeling anxious? Check out the work of Jud Brewer. He has an amazing mini-course on Insight Timer and you can watch a recent interview here. 

2. Need a reason to get out of bed and get dressed in the morning?

Join Elysha Lenkin's creative styling challenge to create outfits from what you already have in your closet. Join the Closet Shopping Collective here.

3. Feeling isolated?

Add some laughter to your life and join an improv playdate.

I spent last Friday afternoon playing improv games with Gary Ware and it was a much needed mental break, offering laughter and lightness at the end of a loooong week. 

4. Want to communicate like an expert? 
Join me tomorrow for the Introvert's Guide to Public Speaking. Lunch Ladies NYC is going online and I'll be teaching a live workshop at noon, Tuesday March 24th and sharing strategies to:

• Increase your presence

• Manage your anxiety & stage fright

• Create content that resonates with your audience

Can I be helpful during this time? 

• Is there someone you want me to connect you with? 

• Do you need help keeping your team engaged?

• Do you want to communicate your message with impact?

Reach out to me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com. I'm not going anywhere!