Speak It. Live It. Let It Go.: What I’m Learning, Loving & Releasing ep. 2

SPEAK IT: Your Face Is Communicating, Too

We spend so much time worrying about the words coming out of our mouths that we forget something important:

You’re communicating before you ever say a word.

That’s where my SHINE Framework comes in, and one of the simplest places to start is with your face.

Smile. React. Let people see you.

I’m not talking about pasting on a giant fake grin while you give a quarterly report. I’m talking about allowing your natural facial expressions to support what you’re saying.

When we get nervous, we tend to tighten everything up. Our shoulders rise, our face freezes and suddenly all the warmth we have in real life disappears.

Your audience needs to see the human being behind the message.

So before your next presentation, meeting, video or speech, check in with yourself:

Does my face match what I’m trying to communicate?

Sometimes one small shift can completely change the way people experience you.

LIVE IT: Life Looks Better Through Rose-Colored Glasses

My "Live It" pick was a little more literal this time: my amber-tinted glasses.

I love finding simple things that make everyday life feel a little better, and sometimes it really is about changing the lens through which you’re looking.

Which, come to think of it, isn't a bad communication lesson either.

Perspective matters.

LET IT GO: The News

Yep. I said it.

I’m letting go of the news.

Or at least my need to constantly know what is happening every second of every day.

There is a difference between being informed and being consumed. I started noticing how much mental and emotional space I was giving to things completely outside of my control.

So I'm experimenting with stepping away.

Less noise. More presence.

And that brings us to the newest episode…