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I hear it all the time. People complaining that their voice is boring; that it lacks excitement or emotion. Let me ask you a question. If you feel this way about your voice, can you give yourself permission to show some emotion, to allow for some excitement in your expression? You may find this to be a strange request, but when it comes to the voice which is a monotone, it is a most legitimate question. Everyone feels emotion; however, not everyone is comfortable showing it. Some people tell me that they will look silly if they let others see and hear how they feel. Really? If actors did not display emotion when they spoke, there would be no films and no television. The truth is that those who do not exhibit any emotion when they speak could be described as unfeeling, uncaring, wooden, stiff, dull, cold, and boring. It is as simple as that. And, that is just part of the descriptive adjectives for hiding how you feel. Here is a good test. Try the following exercise but make sure you are alone when you do it. Take your camcorder or your iPhone and video record yourself saying the following words with no expression: Now say those exact words again as if you just found out that you had won a million dollars. Play back the video and look at the two takes. Was there a difference? If not, you need some work, so I want you to record yourself again, saying those words again, but this time with a smile on your face. You can speak with color, with life, and with emotion if you will allow yourself to do so. It is important to recognize as well that color is not just heard in the voice. It is seen in your facial expression and in your body language. Your eyes alone speak volumes. One of the exercises I use with my clients is for them to say the words, She saw me as if they were in fear. What always gives the fear away is what is happening with the eyes. You can see it every time. There is also no one correct way to express color. There are many ways to say I won. Much will depend on your mood or attitude at the time. There may even be a time when you would say those words with no expression but not usually. Nothing turns off your listeners faster than a boring or monotone delivery. Why not give yourself permission to be expressive when you speak? Your listeners will appreciate it. The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. Visit Voice Dynamic and discover the best means of adding some life to your voice and your delivery.
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