The art of speaking gracefully — life lessons from a klutz
I’m learning to do business (and life) with the same cool, calm and collected manner I adopt on the yoga mat. Wanna join me?
I am one of the least graceful people you will ever meet. One of my team members once joked I should be wearing 4×4 sandals every time I take a walk. I slip, slide, trip, fall, slop about in mud and step in puddles (although I’ll admit some of the playing in puddles is done on purpose). The state of my shoes and scars on my shins are proof of my clumsiness. Do you know what trips me up? I’m usually thinking about 18 different things while walking. I’m not there, focused on the task at hand.
I’m not being intentional about my body’s movements.
But put me into tree pose or half-moon pose and I’m there. I’m present, unfaltering and steady. I move through the asanas gracefully and with ease. I breathe, I focus, I move with intention. Now I’m working towards bringing that calm and grace into my daily interactions. And just like my yoga poses, I need to pause, breathe and move with intention.
Here’s how that looks in practice: Dealing with a crummy email that’s sent you into a spin? Pause. Breathe deeply. And repeat. Take a few hours (even a full day) before responding. Then, re-read the email. Create a response with care and loving-kindness — both for the recipient and for you. Then re-read the email again (both your response and the original).
On Speaking/Writing Gracefully: Make adjustments. Breathe. Send.
Dealing with a person in real-time either in a meeting or on a call? Before you answer the phone or enter a meeting … pause and breathe. Then realize that you don’t have to make decisions on the spot. Thank your client/friend/associate for their request and tell them that you need time to review what was discussed or asked and you will get back to them in the next few days.
Simply put, here are the 4 steps to the art of speaking gracefully: Breathe. Be Present. Focus. Act with Intention. That’s all there is to it. What awkward clumsy situations can you rescue yourself from using this technique?
Tell me about it in the comments below.
love and lemonade
