Episode 088: Break Free – Find Your Voice

Finding Your Groove With Kathleen Thompson

Your voice is the most powerful communication tool you have. Yet you may not be harnessing its power. In fact, your voice could be holding you back. Today we explore how you can use your voice to help you break free.

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On This Episode

Rhythm of Life – Taking Up Space
Random Riffs – Don’t Start With Why
Feature Segment – Break Free – Find Your Voice

Today’s Quote

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. –Neil Gaiman

Rhythm of Life – Taking Up Space

I heard Dr. Amy Cuddy talk about presence, and taking up space. How people who feel powerful expand. Those who feel powerless, make themselves as small as they can.

I saw an immediate connection to the work I’ve been doing with my Alexander teacher. I’ve made a lot of progress since starting lessons. I still have a long way to go. It will take patience and gentleness with myself as I keep at it. I want to take up the space I’m meant to have.

How about you? Are you taking up the space you were meant to have, or are you shrinking to make yourself small? I’m encouraging you to take up your space. You are a gift to the world. Share that gift by showing up all the way.

Random Riffs – Don’t Start With Why

One of my favorite books is called “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek. Its main premise is that what you do not as important as why you do it.

As important as it is to start with why, there are times when why isn’t helpful. When would that be? When something goes wrong, and we ask “why” questions.

What’s wrong with “why” questions?

1. They often focus on the negative, like “Why can’t I…?”
2. They focus on the past, not the future.

Both often lead to rumination, which is not productive.

What works better?

“What” questions. Like “What patterns can I find across these situations? What could I do differently next time?” These questions get to both the cause and solution in one step.

You want to know your motivation and purpose? Start with Why. You want to solve a problem? Go straight to What.

Feature Segment – Break Free – Find Your Voice

Have you ever made an important presentation and had everyone in the room completely engaged? To the point where they couldn’t wait to pepper you with questions like “How could we make this work? Can you go deeper into the numbers? What are the next steps?”

What made that presentation work? Well, it helps to get your facts straight. And prepare a compelling story. But here’s the thing: studies show that 93% of communication is HOW we say what we say. Only 7% is the words we choose. And of that 93%, the most important piece is how your voice sounds.

Unfortunately, many of us don’t know how to use our voices to speak our truth. It’s important to find our voice and develop it. It’s one of the keys to breaking free.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’ve had my voice my whole life. It’s done just fine.” Are you sure? After all, the voice you use most likely isn’t the voice you were born with. Why? Because your voice was developed through imitation.

I know this firsthand. Even with years of voice lessons, my voice began to take on the sound of co-workers, who were low and monotone.

What do you have to say that’s important for others to hear? Wouldn’t you like people to hang on your every word? Receive the gift of what you say with gratitude? The stakes are high. You have only about 15 seconds to make that first impression.

It’s important for you to find and develop the voice that works for you – in whatever setting you find yourself. If you’ve been trying to break free in some aspect of your life, now is the time to find your voice. Learn to communicate in a way that reaches other people with more impact than you ever have before. And the funny thing is – as you find your voice, may find yourself in other ways too.

I believe so strongly in the difference finding your voice can make, I opened a voice coaching program to help you find the voice you were created to have. Help you speak what is in your mind. In your heart. In a way that others will listen. Feel like they know, like, and trust you.

The program includes a 3-step plan:

• Assessment
• Customized strategic plan
• Action

It can be live in my studio or virtual. I want to make it as easy as possible for you to find the voice you were meant to have.

Where do you start? With a conversation. Click the button below to schedule a free 20-minute chat. We’ll talk about how you’d like to break free with your voice. And then you’re on your way.

I Want to Find My Voice

There’s no pressure. No deadlines. It’s just an invitation. To help you be the gift you already are to the world. To help you find your voice.

How could your voice help you break free? Leave a comment.

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Your voice is a gift to the world. Make it one they want to receive.
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