Observe: Cloudy Days

It would be nice to be always 100% in our capabilities, certain that what we know will spring forward when it is needed. I really wish this were true (really, ask me about recently forgetting how many siblings I have).

Most people have some cloudy days. These are days when memory is hazy, words form more jumbles than usual, and/or you just don't feel like your best self.

There can be many factors but here are a few to observe on this cloudy day.

1. Environment - Weather, location, situation are all factors that impact how centered we feel. Observe how your environment affects your confidence in communication.
2. Fuel - Are you hydrated? Focused on good breathing habits? Well-nourished? Well-rested? When the answer to any of these is no, then your acuity is compromised. The question is, how compromised?
3. Antagonists - This can be any number of things. For some, it is certain people or places. For others, chronic illness or other factors. For me, it is almost always about improper food management. The issue is knowing where your demons lie and navigating them.

Most importantly, forgive yourself for those off days. And if you catch yourself in a haze, try to create a focus line of truth and stick to the things you know. It is better to be unsure than to be blatantly wrong.

Gina Razón is the principal voice specialist at GROW Voice LLC, a full-service voice and speech studio in Boston’s Back Bay.  She has over 16 years of experience both as a teacher of voice and speech, and a voraciously curious voice user.  Gina has worked professionally as a classical singer for over a decade and more recently as a professional public speaker.  For more information on the studio or to book Gina visit www.growvoice.com.