Enjoy The Party
Monday, November 29 2004I hope this finds you well and getting into the spirit of the festive season. I love this time of year when we collectively agree to work a little less, and socialise a bit more. It’s a great excuse to relax and catch up with friends and family and here in the UK we work more hours than our European neighbours, so we’ve really earned the right to party!
But socialising and partying can strike apprehension into even the most sophisticated person. The Office Party, a formal sit-down Dinner or a Drinks and Canapes scenario can all make an otherwise perfectly confident person lose their self-assurance. Even the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has sought professional help to become more socially adept and to help him on the political stage.
Mr Ahern was said in last week’s Irish Times to be taking lessons from the director of the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. He receives personal tutorials from Patrick Sutton on everything from voice projection and elocution to the use of gesture and body language. Mr Sutton was quoted as saying: "It’s all about the three C’s - confidence, clarity and conviction."
Well, if Prime Ministers can benefit from this type of guidance, so can we! Our wonderful Performance Coach, the actress Rita Hamill, has also trained under Patrick Sutton at the Gaiety School of Acting and is here to guide us all through the social challenges of the weeks ahead. If you feel you would benefit from a few personal sessions with her, get in touch at rita@fionaharrold.com.
A vital part of enjoying an event is knowing you’re looking your very best. I have asked the impossibly glamorous, impeccably groomed Jennifer Aston to step up and give us her top tips for looking great. Jennifer runs her own styling consultancy and has consultants located all over the UK, so if you feel you could do with some sartorial support, do get in touch with her, jennifer@fionaharrold.com
Enough from me - over to the experts.
