(MoneyWatch) Are you ever in a professional or personal setting where you feel intimidated, unsure of your abilities, nervous, awkward or downright scared? No more.

What would your life look like if you had more confidence and felt more powerful? Would you perform better at work, during a job interview or while giving a presentation? Would you be able to engage with members of the opposite sex more freely and have a little more swag in your step? Get ready to learn a simple and proven technique to boost your confidence instantly. It's a big promise to be sure and not one I make lightly. I really hate hyperbole and promises of quick fixes and easy solutions, but once in a while I come across something that really has the power to change lives. This is one of those times.

So what's the secret to a powerful performance? Preparation for sure, but don't make the mistake of thinking all you need is to be prepared. Even if you know your stuff inside and out, if you aren't confident you will fail to perform. You've seen this a thousand times -- the presentation where you focus more on the timid and awkward delivery than the message. There is no worse feeling than knowing you could have killed it if it hadn't been for your nerves, self-doubt or hesitation. When you get your shot, you have to be more than prepared.

The real "X" factor that determines who gets the job, the promotion and other rewards in life is confidence. Since confidence is the magical pixie dust that can mean the difference between success and failure, you should spend just as much time on your mental game as you do on your work. But if you're in a pressure situation and you don't have your sports psychologist on speed dial, there is another option that research shows can immediately boost your confidence.

It turns out mom was right. When she told you to stand up straight, she instinctively knew that how others view you can influence their perception of you. But what she didn't know is that when we stand up straight we not only influence how others perceive us, but how we see ourselves.As an executive coach working with individuals who need to perform at peak performance, I've long known that how clients' move their bodies can influence their confidence, outlook and performance. Now it turns out we have some research to back this up.

Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy has shown that even if we "fake" body postures that convey confidence and power -- what she calls "power posing" -- even for as little as two minutes, it "changes our testosterone and cortisol levels, increases our appetite for risk, causes us to perform better in job interviews and generally configures our brains to cope well in stressful situations."

Building on such research, ere is how you can immediately boost your confidence:

1. Preparation: Get big for two minutes. If you want confidence, it's all about becoming big. Before the presentation or job interview (or frankly anytime you want to have more confidence), move and expand your body. Stretch your arms outward or to the ceiling. Exaggerate your movements. Put your hands behind your back and your feet up on the desk. Do whatever you can to become as physically big as possible. The research shows that all it takes is just two minutes of this kind of movement in order to increase your confidence.

2. Performance: Fill the space. Now that it's game time, you don't want to make such exaggerated movements and you don't want to try to overpower someone who is naturally in a more powerful role, like someone interviewing you for a job. Nor do you want to shrink into a passive position like so many others do. You need to walk a fine line between being too much and too little. Cuddy's advice is to be as "big" as you can comfortably be by standing tall, keeping your shoulders back and having your feet apart. If you are sitting, don't sink into your chair. Sit up straight and keep your arms loose and on the armrests of the chair. Resist the natural tendency to shrink in this situations by doing what you can to "fill the room."

Success is about dreaming big, playing big and now, it seems, becoming big. Just remember to expand your body to expand your confidence.

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How to boost your confidence in 2 minutes

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Oct 3, 2012) - New research from SilkRoad Technology reveals that even in organizations that don't restrict access, the vast majority of employees use their mobile devices to check social media websites on a daily basis.Released today, SilkRoad's "Social Media and Workplace 2012 Report" surveyed more than 1,100 employees in North America to understand how people are using social media at work to communicate and collaborate with co-workers, customers, partners and acquaintances.A copy of the full report can be found here.

To tweet this report, simply click here: http://clicktotweet.me/d1E5gfp9

"Employees will use social media during the workday.These findings make it clear: companies can either find ways to use social media to achieve measureable business results, or they can ignore it at their own peril," said Flip Filipowski, CEO, SilkRoad Technology."There is a common misperception that people only use social media for personal reasons.This research proves that people are looking to social media to help them be better at their jobs -- including connecting with co-workers and customers."

The survey revealed attitudes and common practices from all three generations currently in the workforce, including Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials.Notable findings include:

The Social Media and Workplace 2012 Report was conducted from July-August 2012 through an online survey amongst a sample of 1,105 employees of corporations and not-for-profit organizations across the United States.Of the respondents, 33 percent came from organizations having more than 1,000 employees, 44 percent were from Generation X, 44 percent were Millennials and 12 percent were Baby Boomers.

About SilkRoad Technology SilkRoad is a leading global provider of cloud-based social talent management software.Their passion for creating the finest employee experience drives everything they do.The award-winning SilkRoad Life Suite is an integrated set of employer-branded TM/HCM solutions that power businesses with the latest Web 2.0 and social media innovations: OpenHire for recruiting, RedCarpet for onboarding and life events, WingSpan for performance management, GreenLight for learning management, Point and Eprise for Social Collaboration and Content, and HeartBeat for trusted HRMS.The Life Suite is ideally suited for businesses of every size because of its unique and open "start anywhere" architecture -- implement the complete suite or begin with one solution and add functionality as you need it.Either way, it's the fastest path to develop more productive and empowered employees who can rapidly boost business performance.Visit http://www.silkroad.com, follow them on Twitter @SilkRoadTweetsor call 866-329-3363 (U.S. toll free) or +1-336-201-5100.

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75 Percent of Employees Access Social Media From Personal Mobile Devices at Work According to Research From SilkRoad

Mark Winterbottom ahead of the Bathurst 1000. Photo: Getty Images

V8 Supercars championship challenger Mark Winterbottom has dismissed a vicious personal attack by the team boss of his title arch-rival Jamie Whincup, vowing to answer the criticism on the track at Bathurst this weekend.

A one-sided war of words erupted after Ford Performance Racing's Winterbottom snatched second place in the closing stages of last month's Sandown 500, by bumping Whincup's Triple Eight Holden aside.

Although the move was cleared by race officials, Triple Eight chief Roland Dane denounced the aggressive overtake as a B-grade move from a so-called professional driver and branded Winterbottom as being about as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.

But Winterbottom, who is dogging defending V8 champion Whincup in this year's points race, has shrugged off Dane's outbursts on the eve of the Bathurst 1000, declaring that he'll do his talking on the track.

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He came out with a personal attack on me, Winterbottom told Fairfax Media. I just use that as motivation because I've obviously got to him a little bit. We'll see what happens this weekend.

It'd make me feel pretty good if I can beat them and hold the trophy up.

Nicknamed "Frosty", the 31-year-old front-runner has been backed by hard-driving veteran Russell Ingall, who disagreed with Dane and questioned the team boss's tactic of making his criticism public and personal.

The officials ruled his move was acceptable, in which case, I reckon what Roland said was out of line, Ingall said. I wouldn't have said anything about it. What I would have done was shut up and next time the opportunity arose - payback time.

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Sideswiped: attack on Winterbottom gets personal

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct 2, 2012) - Cheer Sport Sharks, owned and managed by Alison Moffat and Alana Potter, has brought Canadian Cheerleading to new heights over the past 10 years.Their success has led to a revolution in the sport of competitive cheerleading.

Ten years ago, Cheer Sport Sharks Competitive Cheerleading started with a small group of 35 athletes meeting once a week.Within 5 years they had relocated three times to expand their cheer gym size, in order to accommodate the constantly increasing number of athletes within the organization.Training once a week soon turned into a 7-days a week operation, attracting 550 Cheer Sport Sharks cheerleaders who trained to an award winning competitive level.

Today Cheer Sport Sharks has reached a milestone.After 10 years of dedication and hard work, Cheer Sport Sharks has surpassed many expectations.Currently, there are 3 cheer gyms that reach out to many communities, including their recently opened Cambridge Cheer Gym Facility.Many competitive cheerleading athletes dream of being part of the Cheer Sport Sharks and by expanding in Cambridge, Ancaster, and Ottawa these dreams have come true.

All Star Competitive Cheerleading

Success for the Sharks has not come easy.Canadian competitive cheerleading has become a world-renowned sport and with each year that passes the standard of skill is raised.Coaches and cheerleaders must work harder each year to stay on top.Alana Potter, co-owner of Cheer Sport Sharks, states, "Every year our teams are better and stronger. Each year we are setting a new standard of what competitive cheerleading is all about."

The greatest asset Cheer Sport Sharks has is the passion and commitment the Cheer Sport Sharks cheerleading coaches and athletes have for the sport. Each day athletes show up at the gym ready and motivated to work towards achieving personal and team goals. To be on a team with up to 30 other athletes and grow with them through every heartbreak and success creates a special bond.With that bond and the love for cheerleading, together they shine as one.

The Road of Success for Recreational and Competitive Cheerleading

What is in the future for the Sharks?Cheer Sport Sharks will continue to strive to meet the needs of all recreational and competitive cheerleading athletes.Not only will they remain dedicated to supporting cheer teams and communities, they will continue to work to seek innovative ideas and offer the ultimate cheer experience for all athletes.Cheer Sport Sharks has provided and will continue to provide state-of-the-art cheer gym facilities with premier fun and competitive cheerleading classes and training to cheerleader athletes.Cheer Sport Sharks will continue to work hard to remain the top cheer gym in all of Canada.If you are interested in joining the Cheer Sport Sharks community, locations across Ontario are currently accepting all skill levels. Become a Cheer Sport Cheerleader today!

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Cheer Sport Sharks "Destined for Success"

PHILADELPHIA, October 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Interactive, online curriculumfor learners who provide care that promotes independent living for peoplewith physical disabilities and older adults

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced that Elsevier's DirectCourse has expanded, adding a new curriculum, College of Personal Assistance and Caregiving (CPAC). This interactive, web-based curriculum is designed to train and educate personal care assistants, home care providers and family caregivers caring for people with physical disabilities and older adults to live independently in their communities. A pilot program has been launched in several states, including Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

CPAC was created by the Center for Personal Assistance Services at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living and Elsevier. The curriculum, that currently includes more than 20 lessons, empowers organizations to provide their home care providers with a career path, increase their job satisfaction, and reduce turnover in the field.

Core lessons in the curriculum include:

"The inclusion of the CPAC curriculum in DirectCourse provides an unprecedented knowledge base for personal care assistance professionals," said Bill Tapp, Elsevier's DirectCourse Vice President. "This new curriculum offers organizations relevant tools and interactive capabilities required for advancement in today's workforce. Most importantly, CPAC provides a learning gateway for families, workers, and those who assist individuals with physical disabilities and older adults, enabling them to live independently in the community."

CPAC courses were created for consumers who are self-directing and are delivered and administered by Elsevier's industry-leading learning management system, Elsevier Performance Manager: Core Development. This makes it easy for administrators and supervisors to track progress, measure effectiveness, assign lessons and even create customized content.

"Building on the continued success of DirectCourse's online curricula, Elsevier is committed to advancing knowledge and skills in a growing number of working professionals in the best way possible," said John Schrefer, President of Elsevier's MC Strategies. "CPAC provides a robust, comprehensive knowledge base and will complement Elsevier's proven platform for educational and professional development."

About DirectCourse

DirectCourse is Elsevier's expansive suite of online curricula to train professionals who support people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as older adults. DirectCourse is anchored by the College of Direct Support, an online curriculum for direct support professionals managed in collaboration with Elsevier/MC Strategies and the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living. In addition, DirectCourse contains the College of Employment Services, a new online training curriculum developed by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. http://directcourseonline.com/

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Elsevier Adds the College of Personal Assistance and Caregiving to Expand DirectCourse's Web-based Learning Curricula

Virtual public schools, which allow students to take all their classes online, have exploded in popularity across the United States, offering what supporters view as innovative and affordable alternatives to the conventional classroom.

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Now a backlash is building among public officials and educators who question whether the cyber-schools are truly making the grade.

In Maine, New Jersey and North Carolina, officials have refused to allow new cyber-schools to open this year, citing concerns about poor academic performance, high rates of student turnover and funding models that appear to put private-sector profits ahead of student achievement.

In Pennsylvania, the auditor general has issued a scathing report calling for revamping a funding formula that he said overpays online schools by at least $105 million a year. In Tennessee, the commissioner of education called test scores at the new Tennessee Virtual Academy "unacceptable."

And in Florida, state education officials are investigating a virtual school after it was accused of hiring uncertified teachers; in the past two weeks two local school boards in the state have rejected proposals for virtual schools.

Some states, including Michigan, Indiana and Louisiana, are still moving aggressively to embrace online schools. But the anger and skepticism elsewhere is striking, in part because some of it comes from people who have ardently supported opening the public school system to competition.

"There's a sense that [online education] is a lot more mainstream now and we need to take a closer look at it," said Michael Horn, an advocate of digital learning at Innosight Institute, a think tank focused on education policy. "I don't think we need to put the brakes on completely, but we need tweaks to accountability models, which will slow growth."

Charter school movement Online courses first appeared in public high schools in the early 1990s. They were promoted as a way for students in isolated rural schools to tap into advanced classes not offered in their towns, or for students at risk of dropping out to make up credits.

By the early 2000s entrepreneurs were pitching full-time online schools - perfect, they said, for athletes with heavy travel schedules, children with medical conditions that confined them at home, or almost anyone who found the hustle and bustle of neighborhood schools uncomfortable.

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Online schools face backlash

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Funded on a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), a task force comprised of representatives of leading national organizations in online and e-learning in higher education, has issued a report on the future of online learning in higher education. The Task Force includes representatives from the American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC), the Association of Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), EDUCAUSE, the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C), UPCEA and the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET).

The Summit on the Future of Online Learning held in Chicago in September 2011 addressed many of the issues facing online learning in higher education today. An outcome of the Summit was a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to convene an Inter-Organizational Task Force on Online Learning.

"Each of these organizations is deeply engaged in the development, delivery and support of high quality online education," said Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA."This report lays the foundation for working together with the goal of advancing the interests of the students and institutions we serve through quality online learning."

The report, issued October 3rd, 2012, calls for several action steps to achieve that goal:

"This is a unique initiative among the leading national associations in online and e-learning in higher education," said Ray Schroeder, Chair of the Task Force and Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of Illinois at Springfield."In the rapidly evolving online environment, it is important that we draw upon the knowledge and experience of those who represent the colleges and universities who have demonstrated their commitment to quality and innovation in this field."

Please visit http://www.upcea.edu to view the full report.

Contact: Robert J. Hansen, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer University Professional & Continuing Education Association rhansen@upcea.edu 202-659-3130

Ray Schroeder Associate VCAA for Online Learning University of Illinois Springfield Schroeder.ray@uis.edu 217-206-7531

SOURCE University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)

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Online learning organizations create a national e-learning alliance to promote access to quality higher education online

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - A new online educational consortium, which will give students open access to the growing number of online courses and programs from institutions across the province, is one of many commitments outlined in the Council of Ontario Universities' (COU) submission to the provincial government.

The paper, Transforming Ontario Universities, is a response to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' discussionpaper that launched sector-wide consultations and institutional dialogues on how to improve Ontario's postsecondary sector for the 21st century learner.

"The Ministry's consultations confirmed that university faculty and staff are continually enhancing the educational experience for students," says Alastair Summerlee, Chair of COU and President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph. "These discussions have provided further momentum to build on the numerous innovations taking place on campuses across the province."

In addition to committing to the online consortium, universities are also working together to improve Ontario's credit transfer system; advance the definition and assessment of learning outcomes, so students and employers know what knowledge and skills they will acquire from their programs; and expand opportunities for experiential learning, so students are better equipped for their careers.

The submission also discusses ways to leverage existing innovations and share best practices in different areas, such as teaching and learning, credential options and degree supplements, including e-learning portfolios that provide students with a list of their learning outcomes and volunteer activities beyond the classroom to demonstrate their experiences and skill sets to future employers.

"Universities continuously update course content and identify new academic programs that meet student and labour market demand. They create new experiential and e-learning opportunities that will best prepare today's students for the future," says Bonnie M. Patterson, COU's President and CEO. "By continuing to effectively manage costs, they are ensuring that financial resources stay dedicated to teaching and learning activities, and essential student supports."

View the submission, Transforming Ontario Universities.

Visit the COU website at http://www.cou.on.ca Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CouncilofOntarioUniversities Follow us on Twitter at @OntUniv

SOURCE: Council of Ontario Universities

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Ontario universities respond to need for greater access to online education

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Columbia Business School Executive Education announced the launch of its first online executive education program, as part of a larger initiative to place the School as an innovative leader in executive education online learning. The program, in partnership with the Institute for Personal Leadership (IPL), offers a wider community of business professionals the opportunity to experience executive education in a dynamic online format that provides an interactive learning experience much beyond traditional online education programs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120905/NY68578LOGO )

The inaugural program, Personal Leadership Online, taught by Professor Hitendra Wadhwa, Columbia Business School's director of e-learning and founder of the Institute for Personal Leadership, provides insights and tools to gain mastery over one's goals, values, purpose, thoughts, emotions, beliefs, mindsets and motivations, so executives can operate at their best in all moments, become a more effective leader, build stronger relationships, and experience greater fulfillment at work and in life.

"As Columbia Business School's first venture into online executive education, we created this program and online format to substantially extend the reach of executive education programs within organizations and communities worldwide," said Professor Wadhwa. "Our online platform delivers an experience never before seen in online learning in a way that keeps participants interested and engaged."

Personal Leadership Online is offered in two versions the Essentials Edition and Executive Edition running from 10 to 12 weeks and priced at $989 and $1899, respectively. The program guides participants through two to three modules of core lecture content per week, with each module consisting of 30 minutes or more in high-quality video. The compelling documentary-style video lectures produced in partnership with former BBC executive Andrea Miller take students outside the halls of Columbia Business School to the university's campus and other New York landmarks.

In addition to video lecture content, the participants are able to engage with faculty in several live sessions through the course of the program. Participants also interact with each other throughout the program through a number of structured online formats. A second online program, Driving Strategic Impact, will commence spring 2013. Additional information on Columbia Business School's Executive Education online programs is available at: http://www.gsb.columbia.edu/execed/online-programs.

About Columbia Business School Led by Dean Glenn Hubbard, the Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School seeks to provide a truly global business education that lasts and evolves over a lifetime, preparing students for strong leadership in any industry. The School's cutting-edge curriculum bridges pioneering academic theory with industry practice, imparting not only functional skills but the entrepreneurial mindset required to recognize and capture opportunity in a competitive business environment. Beyond academic rigor and teaching excellence, the School offers programs that are designed to give students practical experience making decisions in real-world environments. The strength of its ideas, the breadth and accessibility of its alumni network, and the extent of its connections to New York City combine to make Columbia Business School one of the most innovative and dynamic business communities in the world. The School offers MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) degrees, as well as non-degree executive education programs. For more information, visit http://www.gsb.columbia.edu.

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Columbia Business School Launches Its First Online Executive Education Program

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02-10-2012 09:52 Subscribe for more: Watch More of this show: In this episode of Daily Dose, Jillian Michaels and Janice talk about their favorite blooper moments throughout the season. So, who do you think is funnier? Jillian or Janice? Make sure to leave your comments after the video! Daily Dose with Jillian Michaels Jillian Michaels: fitness expert, life coach, best-selling author and host of Everyday Health's Daily Dose. Jillian along with her co-host, Janice Ungaro, discusses a range of topics, from exercise and nutrition to finding success in all aspects of life. It is a mix of one-on-one interviews and musings which leads viewers on a journey to unlock their fullest potential. Jillian Michaels Jillian is one of the leading health and wellness experts in the country. She contributes to and is a New York Times best-selling author. She was the trainer and life coach on The Biggest Loser for six years and Losing it with Jillian (NBC) and she has released numerous exercise DVDs. Personalized diet and fitness plans by Jillian are available through which syncs seamlessly to her mobile application published by Everyday Health. Her mobile app is available on iTunes and receives a 4 star rating. Jillian has a long-standing relationship with Everyday Health, which launched her website, JillianMichaels.com, in 1996. Jillian Michaels Facebook: Twitter: Google Plus: Pinterest: Janice Ungaro Facebook: ...

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Favorite Daily Dose Bloopers⎢Daily Dose With Jillian Michaels | Everyday Health - Video