“Remember to use your inside voice“. I hear that one quite a bit. It is often good advice for a crier, but not always. Being loud does sometimes have its benefits you know. Oyez, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to embrace the volume.
First and foremost, being loud can be a great stress reliever. We all know how good it feels to let out a good scream or yell on occasion. Yelling releases bags of endorphins, which help reduce stress and make you feel happier. I know that getting out onto the street and delivering a full volume proclamation is guaranteed to cheer me up If I am feeling a little down in the dumps, Now, not everyone can go and shout in the high street without fear of being arrested, but if you’re feeling stressed, find a quiet place and let out a seriously good yell. Trust me, you will feel better! People may stare, but you won’t care.
Loud and Proud
Loudness and confidence go together. If you need to speak with authority, turn up the dial a bit. When you speak a little louder you sound more confident. As a result, your audience will be more attentive. Obviously you don’t want to deafen your work colleagues, but next time you’re in a meeting and want to make sure your ideas are heard, don’t be afraid to literally ‘speak up’. There is a lot of psychology surrounding volume of speech. Be unapologetic about your presence. you know you have something valuable to contribute so don’t appear afraid to let others know it.
All of this is good advice as long as you don’t take it too far. After all, higher volumes can be seen as a bit aggressive. Think about when and how to use your in-built megaphone effectively and when to leave it ‘switched off’. As a man who has shouted too loudly on many occasions and suffered many a sore throat as a result, I know whereof I speak. (I should buy shares in Jakemans throat sweets).
We all know loud voices can often be annoying, but trust me, there is a time and place to crank it up to eleven. I say, when the time is right, don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard. Make like a town crier; turn up the volume and turn a few heads.