Self-improvement challenge: Vocal Image

Communication is the greatest skill any of us could have in life: it means better relationship’s, friendships and the best communicators excel in all sides of life. 

Communication is the most valuable skill that will enhance every part of our lives.
So this week I’m asking you all to take a moment to consider your ‘Vocal Image’.

We all spend a lot of time on our visual image; the way we look, the way we dress, our hair etc but have you considered your vocal image? What are you projecting? 

We can change the way we look… Easy right? A change of clothes… lose weight, put on weight… surgery maybe… all possible… some easier than others but all possible. 

But can you change your vocal image? I’ll ask you another question; is it possible to change a behavior? 
Of course it is… although some behaviors are easier to change than others (just like our visual image) but again… all possible!

The way you currently speak is simply a series of learnt behaviors. 
We have this attachment to our natural ‘authentic’ voice… but I ask you to try playing with your voice: higher, lower, accent… be silly. You’ll feel silly and you’ll say ‘Heids, this isn’t me… it’s not my natural voice’.

So again (my favourite word) reframe that thinking… You’ve already lost your ‘natural’ voice.

The last time we all had our ‘natural voice‘ was at the age of 2 before we were impacted by external influences. The voice you have now is your habitual voice.. accents, projection, phrases, noises… all built based around the people we were surrounded by growing up. We’ve built ourselves a series of habits, a series of engrained behaviors. 
It’s difficult to change because we’ve been replaying these behaviors for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. But I ask you again… can we change behavior?… the answer is yes. 

So consider your favourite speaker, actor, singer, performer… what makes them special? Do you have that showmanship? Let’s work on that….

Changing your vocal image is absolutely possible:

Step 1 is to detach yourself from the habit… realise that you just picked them up… you didn’t choose them… you adopted them… and randomly 

Step 2 Be aware of what your habits are and which are serving you and which are limiting your potential(Do we all need the same accent?-no… but if our accent is so strong that it hinders other peoples comprehension then it’s limiting us so we need to work on our annunciation or pace to ensure we are effective communicators) 

Step 3 Learn the more impactful habits that will serve us better and influence the people around us… this time build your habits with more intent  (leave random behind) 

So how do YOU work on YOU? (You’ll likely hate me for this!)

Record a 5 minute video of yourself on your phones… ideally standing up… and just speak. Don’t script… don’t plan… just speak. Any subject you like… not a work one because you want to see you natural. 

Then I want YOU to review it… in 3 ways: 

1) Turn the volume up… place the screen down on the table so you can’t see it and simply listen – conduct an AUDITORY REVIEW(Are you stuck in 1 volume, are you too quiet, too loud, emotion, pausing, speed??? Take notes) 

2) 2nd time: Mute it and just watch yourself – conduct a VISUAL REVIEW (Movement; too little, too much, hand gestures, emotion, happy, grumpy, blank, visual ticks: playing with your hair/glasses? Take notes. 

3) Then Have it transcribed (make sure you include the filler words and sounds you make) and complete a TRANSCRIPTION REVIEW. Print out the transcript and literally highlight all your filler words and noises. These are awful btw for your communication… they distract from your message, rob you of authority and lack clarity and credibility. You know the ones……’Errr, you know, err, like, and, you know what I mean, ummm, yeh, err, you know right, like, errr, right, like, errr and all that, and that, you know’.

Once you’re aware of your verbal ticks: every time you hear yourself say one … it will be like an alarm bell in your head… you’ll drop them quickly and learn not to fill the silence… but use it!

Remember, a pause is much more powerful than an ermmmm! 

What this should show you is that; we can all improve our communication: it’s just a skill that we all can learn and develop by adopting new behaviors. 
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What will you be working on? 

Visually: hand gestures, movement, facial expressions, emotion

Auditory: Pace, projection, volume, more vocal variety, energy

Transcript-ally: vocal ticks, filler words, noises. 

Let’s start this Friday with a plan to find our best selves and develop them! 

And what better place to start…