Vocal exercises can make a difference in many areas of your life, especially your confidence.
Teaching voice is not simply what I do, it is who I am. I have been teaching voice for over 50 years. I have taught at universities, in corporations, theaters, luxury resorts, at conferences, and in classrooms around the world. I teach voice lessons on-line and over the phone, Skype, or FaceTime. I've taught voice in conceivably any place that you can imagine, and perhaps some you even can't.
My Work, Vocal Awareness, did not make me into somebody I am not, but helped bring out who I was truly capable of being. The vocal exercises I created strengthened my inner Voice as well as my vocal voice. The goals and discipline of my Work enabled me to be my Self, not merely 'present' myself while seeking approval of others.
In my books and lessons I often share that when I first created Vocal Awareness over 5 decades ago, "you couldn't find my Self- esteem with the Mt. Palomar telescope."
I lacked personal confidence as well as Self-esteem. I am a classical singer by training and I had the ability to show-up as a performer, but I did not have the ability to show-up for my Self.
I tell my students/clients, "When you give me your voice, you give me who you are." and that relationship is sacrosanct.
Sociologists tell us the greatest fear in our society is public speaking. This is a misnomer. Rather, there are two fears: fear of abandonment and fear of our own greatness.
When we are afraid of what others think of us, of how we are judged and when we are afraid of our own greatness, of taking ownership of our power, we are not living in the Vocal Awareness principle of sovereignty.
The root of the word sovereignty means supreme excellence or an example of it. Also connected to this principle is a deeper understanding of the word intimacy. It is both an intimate personal experience of our Selves when we speak and share who we are with others as well as a revealing intimate experience--whether conscious or unconscious.
However, the root of the word 'intimate' intimus means intrinsic or essential. Therefore, it is intrinsic to be who we are, essential that we must be who we are. This is the foundation of sovereignty.
I have been identified as a voice teacher, a vocal coach, a speech coach, as well as by other titles. To myself, I am simply a Teacher. My public identity is Communication Strategist.
Through Vocal Awareness I teach us how to communicate with our voice intra-/inter-personally in full Conscious Awareness.
5 Vocal Exercises For Improved Confidence
Here are 5 tips to support you in becoming your own Confident Communication Strategist:
Please begin your Journey of Self-discovery by answering these first 2 questions:
1. What is my vision?
In answering this question, explore the contribution I want to make to my Self, my family, society?
2. What does 'voice' mean to me?
Once you have completed the first two answers, then do the following:
3. Create a Vocal Awareness Journal.
In it identify where, as a communicator, you feel most confident and where you feel least confident.
4. Record yourself on a conference call, on a telephone call. Play it back--without judgment.
Do you like what you hear?
What do you like?
What do you dislike-- Why?
5. Commit to doing something about it.
For example, you can get a vocal coach, read my latest book Vocal Leadership, or find virtual voice lessons online on sites like my own at VocalAwareness.com where you can learn in meticulous detail everything you need to do to build your confidence, your ability--your Self.
In Vocal Awareness I am always teaching that the Journey is never outward toward accomplishment--achievement. Rather, it is always and only inward toward Discovery of the Deeper Self.
When we are congruent in mind/body/spirit, no longer afraid to claim our power--confidently embodying who we are capable of being--achievement/fulfillment become the natural outgrowth of this integral integration.
by Arthur Samuel Joseph, M.A.
Founder of the Vocal Awareness Method