Voice Blog

Self-expression is part of our identity. We can express what we say, how we talk about different subjects and who we talk to. In today's society, the art of self-expression is often clouded by restrictions and taboos. To learn to express ourselves more freely, we must understand these constraints. In this blog, we will learn what these restrictions are and how to tackle these issues.

I mentioned that public speaking and self-confidence was intricately tied together. As I sit down to write this, looking back on how I was battling the years of self doubt and insecurities was not easy. How did I get to a place where my thoughts filled me in crippling anxiety? How did I let self-doubt and comparisons make me lose my unique self and drown out my voice? The thoughts that have been with me for so long racing through my mind, I've now learnt how to control them. As you read this, you'll join me on a journey where I discovered who I am, how I took my confidence from zero to new limits and how I can celebrate my voice.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone can seem daunting, but it is crucial for personal development and professional growth. People who go the extra mile and do things that are challenging get the most rewards because they are learning something new about themselves. As adults, we are less likely to change in our behaviour and in our mindset. When was the last time you commuted to work with a different route or changed your laundry detergent? It’s something that we don’t really consider on a day to day basis.

To learn how to stand out from the crowd and to be truly unique, we need to understand what the majority of us are doing and how we fell into the trap of abiding by the cultural norms in our society. When I was a primary school teacher, I noticed that children in schools were often shouted at and given a punishment for behaving inappropriately. By inappropriate I mean, acting in the wrong manner, being sillier than they should or small incidences that would cross the normal cultural boundary in that particular environment. Sometimes the children who were punished didn’t even have a chance to tell the teacher if they were in the wrong. However, children who are quiet and well-mannered were often praised.

Let’s face it: we’re all guilty of it. Those silent (or not-so-silent) internal conversations where we bash ourselves for mistakes, criticise our abilities or convince ourselves that we're simply not good enough. But have you ever stopped to think about the damage it’s causing?

When you are at work, attending meetings is a common part of your daily routine. These meetings are important for working together, making decisions, and creating strategies. Nevertheless, some people find it challenging to express their thoughts effectively in these meetings. This difficulty may be due to reasons such as the fear of criticism, low self-assurance, or not knowing how to communicate ideas clearly. Speaking up in meetings is essential not only for personal development but also for the team and organisation to thrive.