Expansion

Welcome to Your Weekly Words with Julie Avis Rogers, where public speaking meets personal flourishing. In these posts (the video and the written transcript below), I’ll share one word to enhance your effectiveness as a public speaker while also giving a boost for your soul! This week’s word is *expansion* so let’s dive in!

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Content warning: Today’s post about *expansion* touches on body image and self-esteem, which may be triggering for some readers. If you’re not in a place for that topic today, please (as always!) feel free to skip this one. Otherwise, hello! I’m so glad you’re here!

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I don’t know about you, but I have spent far too much of this earthly life trying to make myself SMALLER.

Whether it be in how to pose in photographs or trying to find clothes that “minimize”, it really is astounding to think of the time, money, and mental energy that I, for one, have spent on making myself SMALL.

And so, today I am thrilled that our topic is EXPANSION.

Recently I have been realizing that when speaking in front of a group, it is very common to shrink, minimize, and almost collapse in on ourselves. I particularly am seeing this in virtual formats. For some, that might mean curving our back so we don’t take up quite so much height. That might mean bringing our shoulders closer towards one another so we don’t take up quite so much width. There are quite a few different ways that we shrink ourselves in front of a group– and who can blame us? There is a powerful powerful message out there telling so many of us to be small!

When it comes to public speaking– and frankly when it comes to just about anything– I want so badly for each one of us to take up all the space that we need.

Let your shoulders stretch outwards. Let your spine extend into its fullest glory. Let your belly and your chest be their most spacious selves so that you can get the big nourishing breaths that you deserve! You have important words and ideas and perspectives to share– and your body is there to help you share it.

Next time you are getting ready for a speaking event of any kind, take a moment and let yourself EXPAND. Stretch out your arms. Stretch out your hands. Extend that spine. Expand and expand and let yourself enjoy the fullness of who you are. And if you are willing to give this a try, please let me know how it goes. I’m cheering you on always!

Thanks for joining and more importantly, thanks for expanding. See you next time!

Ready for more? Click here to book a free exploratory session with me where we can discuss public speaking coaching or bringing me in to work with your team, organization, or group. Visit my website to learn more about how to become a more confident, authentic public speaker while boosting your personal flourishing along the way!