Natasha D'Souza

I had attended a very interesting session by Barclay McMillan about “Your voice – your calling card”. At the age of 60 Barclay figured out what he wanted to do when he grew up. It was a series of health problems that embarked him on his journey and he now shares his insights with people. He provided advice on putting your best self forward through your most neglected but most important selling tool – your voice.

When we were babies we were very good at communicating our needs verbally. As we grew up we developed words and various social filters that made us loose our voice so to speak. By adulthood our voice lost its ability of the soul.

He offers a course called Life Song – it’s part physical and part psychological.

Getting back the ability of the voice to connect with the pain and passion. Your natural voice is bigger, carries desires, pain, passion, hopes and dreams to greater effect.

Words are made up of vowels and clicks (syllables). When we speak we tend to close down on the vowels and move onto the next click instead of making the vowels jump. If we speak authentically the air comes in contact with our musculature and guts. Our authentic emotions are alive. It lives in our bodies. It colors our sound as it goes through our larynx.

Slowing down a little so that the vowels are full makes an immediate improvement in the authenticity of your speaking. You do not have to slow down. Speak more deliberately so that the vowels are longer and fuller.

“Make your vowels big – take your time and your voice will come alive.”