Your Most Authentic Voice Comes From a State of Flow
I’ve spent nearly a decade tuning into my clients’ authentic voices so I can write for them. Whether I’m ghostwriting a blog post or a book, it’s essential to tap into their voice ahead of the project so I can replicate that energy on paper. I have written on the topic of finding your own voice before, but lately, I’m digging deeper into exploring the facets of authentic voice.
One thing all my clients have in common is that their truest voice comes through when they’re in an active flow state. My job is to plug into that flow state for the most accurate voice capture. That might mean reading their manuscript or previously published books, having a conversation with them, or listening to their TED Talk.
Think about it this way: Let’s say you’re uncomfortable on stage, so you overthink your message and find it difficult to talk about your calling in front of an audience. But when you’re at your desk writing, thousands of words easily pour out of you in a matter of hours. In what state will you find the stronger message and presentation? The writing, of course!
For instance, I recently worked with a website copy client who was having trouble articulating her business to me. We were in the discovery phase of the project, and she was struggling to explain her work. It was clear she was feeling anxious and under a lot of pressure, so I redirected her to tell me a story about one of her clients instead. Almost immediately, she relaxed, and the conversation started to flow. From her enthusiastic storytelling, I was able to capture her authentic voice.
Dialing into a flow state brings your authenticity and unique magic to the surface. That’s where your clearest, most profound thoughts come from. When you document these moments, you can convert them into the written word (or any other content format that reflects your message).
Here are the major states of being I’ve identified that often get people into flow state. You can operate under more than one of these, but you also may have a dominant state. (Because I’m a nerd, I played around with alliteration here. And they’re in alphabetical order.)
Conversation. Your flow state is strongest when you’re speaking with others, exchanging ideas, and digging deep into profound discussions.
Collaboration. Working alongside others fuels your flow state. Try coworking or bouncing ideas off a trusted colleague or friend. You might also be a good candidate for partner projects, such as finding a co-author to help you get your book over the finish line.
Creation. You find yourself in flow when you’re actively creating. Beyond ideation, it’s the action of creation that flips your switch. If you’re a musician or a visual artist, for instance, your flow state likely comes through creation. In this case, you likely need to tap into a secondary state of being (such as conversation or explanation) to capture your own voice. (Writers are blessed to both flow and communicate through the creative state!)
Explanation. When you’re passionately explaining the work you do and its purpose—and teaching others along the way—you’re in flow.
Exploration. Exploring really gets you into flow, whether you’re discovering something new about known territory or exploring an uncharted place or concept.
Imagination. Being in your head turbocharges your flow state; you do your best work when your imagination leads the way.
Intellection. Understanding concepts, people, industries, best practices, and changes in your market sets you up for a stellar flow state.
Introspection. Delving deep into personal reflection is what gets you into flow. You might share your ideas best by filtering them through lived experiences, learnings, and understanding.
Meditation. Similar to introspection, meditation triggers flow state for many. In many ways, it’s a preliminary step toward flow. This is the act of quieting your mind enough for ideas to pour in. You’re giving yourself the space to receive those ideas so that you can then articulate them.
Motivation. You feel most in flow when motivating others to be the best version of themselves. Pouring into other people is your specialty, and you feel switched on when you’re in that groove.
Presentation. You love being in front of an audience, so presentation is where you flow best. This could look like public speaking, or simply presenting your latest research findings in a closed-door session. Regardless of the setting, you shine when you have a chance to share from a leader’s perspective.
Speculation. “What Ifs” spark your flow state. You’re most tuned in and fired up when you’re asking all the deep questions about your area of expertise, then working to expand your knowledge base.
Do any of these sound familiar to you? Most of us find flow through one or more of these states, so I wouldn’t be too dogmatic about attaching to one in particular. Look at the work you do and how you help people, and those will give you clues to your strongest areas.
Once you’ve identified what states help you feel the most tuned into yourself, you can start finding ways to capture your voice in that state. Document yourself in flow if you haven’t before, or ask a trusted friend or colleague to help. Record that presentation. Transcribe that coaching call (with your client’s permission, of course). Spend some time in your “cave” writing down your ideas.
Shape your message through this state of flow. That will give you your best chance of truly connecting with your intended audience. When your magic rises to the surface, the people who need it most will be able to receive it.
When do you feel most in flow? Which states of being stand out most to you? Leave me a comment and let’s talk about it.