How’re You Doing?
I’ve been thinking about the value of a little time out. Or time away. A respite, perhaps, from what we’re all dealing with. Because it’s a lot.

Pause
Here’s the good news! You may not be able to press the pause button on current world events swirling around us. But you sure can build a few more pauses into daily life. And why not start with, you guessed it, your communications?

Less Is More
Simplify where you can. Over-delivering tends to diffuse your point, not clarify it. Try using one example instead of two. Spell out one overarching key takeaway instead of the three clustered beneath it. Explain your ‘6-Step Process’ by describing just two of those steps, as representative of them all.

Slow It Down
There’s never enough time to communicate as much as you want to. Pressure, time constraints, full agendas all lead us to speed up our pacing. We talk faster as we try to fit everything in. But in fact, slowing down gives greater impact to what you are saying. It gives your audience time to absorb your content. You stand out from the pack because you become easier to listen to.

Take A Breath
Ahhh, the simplest technique of all is simply to take in more air. Deep breaths are calming for us as communicators at the same time they give more gravitas and weight to our words. “Take a beat” is a theatre term that refers to the time it takes for a heartbeat. It’s a great way to consider creating a mini-reset before answering a question, or after making a key point. Think of taking a good breath as analogous to white space on the page. It sets off the type so it creates more of an impression and is clearer to read.

Your Permission Slip
Please accept this personal permission slip, illustrated with gold sparkles, to create your own Time Out. I hope you’ll enjoy this gift from me in any way that works for you. Even if it just puts a smile on your face, you deserve it!

And Spring’s a-coming…

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