As we begin yet another New Year, it’s a time to share ways to make life a little better through etiquette. This year’s tip is especially personal to me as it is something I must constantly work on to improve.  It’s my top resolution for the year.

Communication has two parts: content and delivery. Often delivery is of greater importance than the content. Sure, whatever we want to say matters, but how we say it and how we relate to the people we speak to makes all the difference.
Yes, that time-honored saying, “It’s not what you say but how you say it” is true. If we can’t deliver ideas and information that connects with people and relates to them in a meaningful way, we won’t get results.

Watch this Charisma Matrix video called The Impact of Tonality (Also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFgJCPzkuy8), which confirms the most important aspect of non-verbal and verbal communications we need to watch is our tone of voice.

After viewing the video, think about how you communicate with specific individuals in your life at home, in the community, and at work. Do you find yourself always speaking to certain people in a specific tone of voice?  Many times we reserve our worst tone for the closest people in our lives: our spouse or partner, children, siblings, family members, close friends, and co-workers. Think about the tone you use for each person. If you realize you’ve been speaking with them in a less than positive manner, make a point to alter the tone. Doing so will definitely build a better relationship with each and every person, I promise.

So above all other resolutions you make this year, please choose to dedicate 2016 as the year you pledge to constantly monitor the tone of voice you use in every form of communications… oral/written, verbal/non-verbal.

Curious, what other commitments (resolutions) are you willing to declare for 2016?  Please share… I’d love to hear them below.

A few reminders to get us moving…
Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
— Mahatma Gandhi.

Motivation is what gets you going. Habit is what keeps you going.
—John Wooden, American College (UCLA) Coach in 2013

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou.

Happy New Year! and… Happy Practicing!