Oh my goodness, as I listened to my client on our first private call together I nearly passed out!

She spoke SO quickly.  It was as if she expected a trapdoor to open any second and just had to get everything out without pausing.  Or breathing.

When she did finally stop to let me ask a question or observe something *like her pace* I asked her “Has anyone ever noticed the pace at which you speak?”.

Jane, let’s call her, breathed in and then rattled off how her husband, family, boss, fellow Board members ALL say the same thing.  “Slow it down Jane” or “You don’t have to speak so quickly”.  But – still she continues.  Or let’s say “Continued”.

When I played back to her how she sounded, speaking what I wanted to share but at her pace she looked shocked.

I asked her “How was that for you Jane?”

She said things like “Exhausting.  You looked flustered.  Doesn’t sound so professional as when you speak normally Kay”

Here’s the thing though.

I don’t speak ‘normally’ when I have my professional hat on.  I slow it all down.  Make time to breathe, pause, think.

You can’t do any of that if you’re just cantering through your thoughts, thinking them as you speak them AND sounding out-of-breath at the same time.

Hmmm.  

So, try to slow yourself down if you want to (or when) and why will it help you?

• People will be more engaged
• They can comment/ask questions
• You get to consider what you want to say next
• You sound more professional, considered, thoughtful.  All of which add to your credibility ‘

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” The Dalai Lama 

In other news…

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Douglas Puppyhound still acts like a lapdog puppy when, clearly, he’s not! 🥴

Not being a mother myself and not ‘having’ a Mum for 20 years this year, Mother’s Day is a bittersweet one.  I do always raise a glass to her and am forever grateful she was there on our Wedding Day 💕