The idea of making New Year’s Resolutions is a strange tradition that mostly becomes a to-do list that doesn’t get done. Michael Hyatt suggests if we turn the idea of a resolution into a goal we are much more likely to act on it. I’d go farther and say every goal needs a plan. So as we pause here between the old and new year, I suggest you make a plan to turn some resolution(s) and goal(s) into reality for your voice:
Find It
Heal It
Improve It
Protect It
Use It
So what’s stopping you?
- Time? You are in charge of your time allocation. Accept responsibility to do so.
- Finances? You are reading this blog at no cost, aren’t you? There are economical ways to train your voice, including CD courses such as I have available on my site. You don’t have to take 10 vocal lessons to get better… even one should move you to your goals.
- Fear? Don’t let being afraid, timid or stuck be your payoff for not putting forth the effort. Trade fear for persistence, patience, and don’t expect others to do it for you. This is your life!
- Lack of knowledge? Whether it’s career success, places to use your voice, or finding out who is trust-able and can help you, just resolve not to be lazy… because the information is out there! Choose to reach out, brainstorm with others, use internet search engines, study music business books, enroll in workshops and training programs.
Unknown says
I have been diagnosed with vocal inflamation and very small ulcers on my vocal cords following a bad head virus and cough and laryngitis. I was told to treat with voice rest, Zantac. This is the 4th time in 23 years that I got this. The last 3 times I went to a speech therapist to teach me voice techniques to speak in my head so the strain is off my vocal cords. It usually takes a few weeks to get my voice back without hurting. I am a psychotherapist, so I need to be able to speak. Do you feel that t am abusing my voice causing this problem or just do to viruses every 5 to 10 years. It is very debilitating and isolating. I would like to avoid ever happening again.
Judy Rodman says
Dear Beverly, if it's taking a few weeks for your voice not to HURT when you use it, I really do think that you must be normally letting too much air pressure work your vocal cords. The method I use for creating much more efficiency in breath management for sounding the voice has been remarkably helpful for people with such issues as Muscle Tension Dysphonia, scar tissue, polyps, nodes, partial cord paralysis and even in a couple of people with Spasmodic Dysphonia (which is neurological in cause so breath pressure management does not cure, only helps with symptoms). I can't promise cures, I am not a doctor. But my PPP method of minimizing the air pressure used at the vocal cords and stretching the scaffolding for the larynx and diaphragm does seem to help every case I come across. If you'd like a lesson, let me know. Meanwhile, check out the following video for the speaking voice… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdJqnKGT4I