This is not another article on nonverbal communication.
This article is about your energy. It’s about that thing people experience about you they can’t put their finger on, but it’s there.
You’ve felt it. You’re standing next to someone and you get a vibe. Maybe it’s pleasant… or not. You’ve certainly heard the call from safety professionals to get out of an elevator if you get a bad feeling from the person standing next to you.
I had a similar situation once, but not in an elevator. One beautiful sunny day here in Phoenix, my cable went out. Bummer! At that time, all my tech was wired through my cable, so I immediately called the cable company and requested a repair man. They sent one out later that day.
The doorbell rang. I opened the door and was literally hit with the most scary energy I’d ever experienced from another human being. This man said hello and asked me where my cable hook up was. He wasn’t frowning or doing anything menacing, but I knew this guy was trouble. I felt it. It was unmistakable. I didn’t quite know how to handle this — this was a first! So, I showed him the cable hook up outside, then closed and locked my door. I stood on the other side of the door for a few minutes trying to make sense of this. Thing is, it had nothing to do with making sense.
He finished the job an hour or so later and knocked on the door. I opened my door, signed the paperwork, and he left. Thank goodness!
Now, I didn’t know this gentleman. I had no information on his background. But, I knew he was not someone I wanted to be around. Even now, when I tell this story, the hairs go up on the back of my neck.
This is an extreme example, but sometimes those are the best ones to make a point. And, my point is, we all communicate who we are without saying a word.
Yes, we give off clues with our nonverbal behavior. If we’re happy, we may be smiling, standing up straight, expressing open body posture. If we’re sad, we may be frowning. Our voices might change in volume and pitch. Our body may contract. And, with or without any of this, our energy speaks volumes.
So, how do you know what energy you’re sending? How do you to shift your energy if you want to?
Here are three techniques you can use to shift your energy before you speak:
- Consider your intention. What do you want to experience? What do you want others to experience? This can give you a clue of the state of your energy. When we consciously set our intention, our body-mind can line up with that. Just taking this one action can completely shift your energy.
- Look at where you are placing your attention.Bring your focus into the present moment. Use all of your senses to be right here, right now, and if you are experiencing some tension somewhere in your body, or notice some upset, breathe into it. Let it be, and let it pass.
- Laugh! Sing! Dance! Get your body moving. Put a smile on your face. Let your body tell your mind how to be. Do this for a few minutes before your presentation and you can completely shift your energy.
When you take the platform, you have incredible influence. You will impact everyone in that room with your energy. You are that powerful.
Use your powers for good, Luke. (Had to throw that in!)
Be well!
Image courtesy of rhino99 flickr.com
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