Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Finding My (New) Voice

"The only way to find your voice is to use it." 

- Austin Kleon

Almost a full year into new ways of working, connecting, growing, experiencing... and living. All of the rules have changed, right? Or, maybe all of the rules are exactly the same, but we've decided to overreact and behave differently? 

Should I put forth more effort, or less effort, or the same effort? Are the ways in which we respect each other in the virtual workplace the same as when we all stared at each other across conference room tables?

Some of you are back in those conference rooms again...at least for part of your workweek.

Lots to think about. 

Impact

I spent many years trying to make an impact for the organizations I was privileged to work for, the employees that counted on me, and for the clients that trusted me to work with them.

That feels harder to do from my condo 24/7 instead of face-to-face.

I've found myself thinking about what drives my ability to be impactful. So much of that has been 'my voice.' I defined that almost as much by the energy I could show in the moment in addition to the actual words I chose. Both, for me, were the recipe for my success.

But now...I have to be present differently. My energy has to show in a small square on my laptop during a video meeting. My presentations at conferences are pre-recorded zoom sessions. (no more stage diving for a while.)

My words...in fact, my literal voice, is now more important than ever. My new voice.

Finding Something New

Like many of you, I've had to adjust so many things about how I engage with others: colleagues, clients, business partners. My new voice has to make up for all of that energy that can't be seen in that small onscreen square. (although I still try like crazy to let that energy shine through, somehow.)

My new voice. It's taken me a while to get comfortable with it. It still sounds like the old me, but it feels as if I've transitioned to a new way of doing things. 

The upside of all of this introspection and self-analysis is a massive surge of excitement about all things being new. New ways to connect, inspire, motivate, cajole, joke, impress, stumble, learn, and grow.

I'm up for all of it!

How About You

Where is your voice in 2021? Am I the only one who noticed a change in myself; or, do we share a similar experience of finding our voice all over again?

Stay safe.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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