Hide Away!
Does it sound like too much? Are you thinking you would like to hide away in the sand, put a little sign up telling everyone to stay away until you are ready?
It may sound like a lot when you are new to it. But when you take a small step at a time, it will eventually all come together.
An excerpt from my book might help. “When it’s time for you to communicate, do you look, act and move like the character you are trying to be? It’s sometimes easier for people to work from the “outside in.” In other words, walking and talking like the person brings the character to life. Most importantly, to allow the successful person to emerge, you must be comfortable with who you are.
Working from the “outside in” can be very powerful. As you start to look, act and move like the successful person, you’ll make the choices that will bring you closer to that goal. At each step of the way, ask yourself, “How would this character behave in this particular situation? How would the character respond to that particular question?”
You can start by how you walk around. Are you hunched over with your head down shuffling along? Are you holding your head high with good posture and taking definite steps? Are your arms naturally swinging or are they held tightly at your sides? Start simply and be aware of how your body language is and what it might be adding to your communication – either negatively or positively.
If speaking to someone, are you standing still or are you pacing back and forth? If sitting down, are your feet planted firmly on the floor or are you swinging your leg back and forth?
Then think about your face. Are you holding your face naturally or neutrally or are you grimacing or pouting? Are you making eye contact with people or are you purposely looking away?
Start with simply being aware of your body language. Be conscious of what you are doing and when you are doing it. Do you have certain body language responses depending on the situation you are in? And ask yourself if they are appropriate and what message you may be sending.
To Being Heard,
Linda