3 Things I’m Teaching, Loving & Releasing: The MEAN IT Method
Welcome to Speak Like You Mean It, where better communication isn’t about sounding perfect—it’s about connecting, being present, and actually meaning the words coming out of your mouth. WATCH HERE
Every week, I’m sharing three things: one thing I’m teaching and practicing, one thing I’m loving in life, and one thing I’m releasing.
Out with the old. In with the new. Let’s get into it.
1. What I’m Teaching: Activate the Words
This week with my coaching clients, I’m working on my MEAN IT Method.
Here’s the quick version:
M — Map It
E — Establish Trust
A — Activate the Words
N — Navigate the Room
I — Invite Them In
T — Take Your Space
Line those letters up and you get MEAN IT.
It works when you speak—and, frankly, it works when you live.
This week, I’m camping out on my favorite letter: A. Activate the Words.
In the acting world—and when I’m preparing to emcee or give a keynote—we often call this marking the script. But I prefer activating it, because that’s exactly what we’re doing: bringing the words to life instead of simply saying them.
Most people get a script, speech, pitch, or presentation and read it from beginning to end. Every word gets the same weight. Same speed. Same energy.
And it’s flat.
It’s like taking a road trip down one long, straight, desolate highway. Sure, you’ll get there—but wouldn’t you rather take the winding roads through Colorado?
Give me some hills. Some curves. Some scenery!
Your words need that too.
Find the words that carry the weight. The words that hold the meaning. Maybe it’s a present. A deadline. A memorial. Circle them. Underline them. Draw a picture next to them. Whatever helps you actually see what you’re talking about.
Then, when you speak, see those images.
Those words naturally get more energy because they mean something to you.
Same script. Completely different power.
Try it with your next speech, pitch, presentation, or scene.
Don’t just say the words. Activate the words.
If you can see the color, images, and meaning behind what you’re saying, your audience has a much better chance of seeing—and feeling—it too.
2. What I’m Loving: My Rebounder
Every morning, I jump on a little trampoline on my back porch for ten minutes.
And I love it. BUY IT HERE
First of all, try being in a bad mood while bouncing on a trampoline. It’s difficult. I’ve tried.
But more importantly, it gets my entire body awake. I start breathing deeper, my voice starts warming up, my energy comes up, and by the time I step off, my head feels clearer and I’m ready to go.
I’m a social introvert. I love people, but sometimes I need a little help getting my energy moving before I go out and show up for everybody.
This does it.
And that ties right back into communication, because presence starts in the body.
Mine apparently starts on a mini trampoline.
3. What I’m Releasing: Chips
This one hurts.
Chips.
I love salty food. And if there is a bag of chips in my cabinet, eventually that bag of chips is going to be in my belly.
Especially if I’m watching a good show.
So instead of having a nightly negotiation with myself about whether I’m going to eat the chips, I stopped buying the chips.
Revolutionary, I know.
No chips in the cabinet. No chips in my belly.
And it’s working. I feel lighter, I’m mindlessly snacking less, and I’ve discovered one of the simplest life hacks ever:
You cannot eat what you do not have.
Sometimes releasing something doesn’t require more willpower. Sometimes you just stop giving it space in your life.
Teaching. Loving. Releasing.
So that’s what I’m working on this week.
I’m teaching: Activate the Words.
I’m loving: ten minutes on my rebounder.
I’m releasing: the chips.
Keep what works. Release what doesn’t. And keep practicing how you want to show up—not just in the way you communicate, but in the way you live.
Because I don’t just want to Speak Like I Mean It.
I want to live like I mean it, too.
Want more?
Follow my weekly videos on YouTube @anaberry and follow @speak.likeyoumeanit on Instagram for communication tips, coaching tools, behind-the-scenes practice, and more of the MEAN IT Method.
Now go activate those words—and Speak Like You Mean It.
