Designed to help you stay in the game, this is your weekly tip sheet for having maximum impact with your voice and in all your communication.

 WHAT YOUR VOICE NEEDS IS A GOOD WORKING VACATION

Many of you are planning to take some time off over the next couple of weeks. In fact, some of you are mandated to do so because of corporate shutdowns. Lucky you. It’s the perfect time to sit back relax, and become a better speaker. Here are three ways to let your holiday be a work out for your voice:

1. Watch your favorite movie and listen for the use of cadence. (Remember “upspeak” and “downspeak?”) Then practice telling the story to someone and listen for your own use of cadence. Can you be more decisive? Use more downspeak. Can you be more open or friendly? Use more upspeak, but be careful on the latter. We’ve all got way too much of that going on!
2. Is there a family member who lives far away? Record a message for them, and while you’re at it, analyze your recording for vocal variety. Can you use more? How? Try it until it sounds merry and bright.
3. Sing holiday songs. Singing is great for your voice and great for your brain. Hum a lot and have a very happy holiday!

I will be on holiday myself over the next two weeks. I invite you to enjoy a tune from my holiday CD, Christmas Caravan,  and I look forward to reconnecting in 2015. Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you all for reading my posts and e-blasts.

photo credit: mark plasma via photopin cc

This week I am starting a weekly post to give you tips for maximum impact with your voice and in all your communication. If you would like to receive these weekly tips in your inbox, please send me a note via my contact form to be added to my list. We will not share your information.

Just do it!

Not to steal Nike’s tagline, but the next time you give a talk,  take time to inhale and exhale deeply just before you get up to speak.  Then, as you start to speak, breathe into your first words.  Do this every time you give a presentation. You’ll be more relaxed thus improving your credibility.

Breathe, breathe, breathe and breathe again.  Of course, breathing isn’t everything.  Talent, skill and your message are also important, but if you are short of breath, you’ll be hard pressed to demonstrate those wonderful talents and skills, and you’ll struggle to make your message come to life. And if that doesn’t work, call me. We’re taking new clients.

For more on this, please read Breathe Life Into Your Talk on my blog.

More resources for breathing:

Breathing: 3 Exercises  from Andrew Weil

Breathing, the Seductive Key to Unlocking Your Vocal Variety on Six Minutes

Breathing Techniques from the University of South Florida

Join me on my Facebook page , on Linked-In , or follow me on Twitter. I welcome any comments or questions.