Your voice is a goldmine of information about you. Literally.
Did you know that many businesses now use clues from your voice to help manage customer service interactions?
If your voice is tagged as “tense” for example, you might be offered a discount, or be routed to a different customer service rep. Companies are increasingly looking for ways to harness the power of voice analysis to personalize ads and marketing.
Even if I find all this a bit creepy, as a singer, it makes perfect sense to me.
The human voice is a biometric, meaning it can be used to identify you. Some scientists believe it can also offer clues toward your age, ethnicity, personality, emotional state and more.
I don’t wear a Fitbit, an Apple watch or other biometric tracking device, but I can still glean all kinds of information about my current state of wellness by tuning into the feel of my voice.
In fact, the way it feels on any given day – not just to sing, but simply to speak – can show me tension in my body and my mind that I wasn’t even aware of.
The sound and the feel of your speaking voice is kind of like your own built-in organic Fitbit. It may not pinpoint your resting heartrate, but it will absolutely reveal how relaxed you are.
Are there people you can talk with for hours, without having your voice get tired? And aren’t there others – a challenging colleague or a family member – where you feel your voice getting tight after just a few minutes of conversation?
The more you get to know your voice, the more you’ll see how much it can tell you in any moment. Your voice will tell you when you’re thriving. It’ll also tell you when you need to pay attention and take care of yourself.
Businesses know how powerful this kind of information is, which is why they’re working to increase their access to it. So what do you do with what your voice is telling you?
If your Fitbit tells you that your resting heart rate’s a little higher than normal, you might take it easier that day. Similarly, if you notice your voice is strained, you can use it as a cue to check in with yourself about what’s happening right now.
What are you thinking? Who are you with? What do you need to do to take care of yourself? What would help your voice to become relaxed and full again?
Love,
Kate
PS – Please share this post with someone who might enjoy it!
PPS – Have you listened to “Space Between My Hands”? The first time I recorded the vocals for this song, I did so after a long day. Not surprisingly, I had to toss them and try again when I was better rested!
PPS – Curious to read more about how businesses are using voice analysis? Check out this article from the New York Times.