The day I lost my voice

This month, on the 1st November 2011, I lost my voice. Yes, that’s right. Possibly the worst thing that could happen to a speaker and speaker trainer, happened. I whispered for three whole days (you didn’t think I would actually stop talking did you?!) and then it croakily came back. Nearly a month later, I’m only just now able to sing (I do a spot of jazz, did you know that?).

Now I’d like to point out that I didn’t wear my voice out – after all I do teach how to preserve your voice! What seems to have happened is that I had a slight head cold, and it was lingering by the time I went into hospital for a minor operation. It seems that the breathing tube that pushed the cold down and caused an infection of the pharynx. So it’s true what they say – hospitals make you ill!

So what should the learning be here? To be honest, I’m still trying to work that out, but here’s my thoughts so far:

1. The most dangerous number in a business is 1. One computer (crashes), one person (ditto), so I was really glad that I had built up team over the last 18 months and so I was able to delegate phone calls and training to others.

2. My clients are really nice. They didn’t mind that I had to rearrange a webinar, a coaching session and two days of training that week and that made me really appreciate the people I choose to serve.

3. Always have a contingency plan when you speak: I was due to give a talk at our Professional Development Club on the Wednesday evening, but instead my friend, Phil, gave it for me. I always write out or record my talk for this very reason – so that someone else can pick it up and do it, or at worst, you can watch my rehearsal video!!

4. I love speaking and I really hate email. So I’ve vowed to phone people more, now that I know what it’s like not to be able to.

5. Prioritise fiercely. Why wait until you have to? Losing my voice meant I really questioned everything that was in my diary. I hope it’s a habit that stays with me because it’s really easy to get sidetracked by nice requests that aren’t strictly the best things for me to speak at or train on.

What would you do if you lost your voice? Have you got some backup plans? What would you do differently?

Lots to think about! Speak soon,

Celia

p.s. My husband likes to make out it was bliss that I couldn’t speak…but he missed it really.

Related articles

• Why do I keep losing my voice? (zocdoc.com)
• A Worship Leader’s Lost Voice (yahwehssong.com)