Speaking with Purpose

How Changing the Way I Speak Improved My Self-Confidence

Hi, I'm Manuel Saez, 2x Founder, Award-Winning Designer, and Emotional Intelligence Coach 🌻 Here I Share the advice I wish I had while building my businesses ➜ I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵🏍️

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Have you ever noticed how closely your mood and energy levels affect the way you speak?

A few years back, I started paying closer attention to this connection and discovered something fascinating:

My speech didn't just reflect how I was feeling—it could actively shape my confidence and emotional state, especially when I became intentional about the way I spoke.

On days when things were going well—when I felt energized and inspired—my words flowed effortlessly.

I spoke clearly, confidently, and built strong connections. People responded well, conversations clicked, and my self-assurance naturally grew.

But on other days, when I felt drained, anxious, or unmotivated, my speech revealed my internal state immediately.

My voice became quieter, sentences trailed off, and I struggled to express my ideas clearly. People seemed less engaged, and their reactions reinforced my lack of confidence.

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One day, I questioned this pattern:

Could I flip this equation? Could I deliberately change the way I spoke to elevate my internal energy and self-confidence?

I decided to experiment and found the results transformative.

Here is what I learned 👇

Awareness Changed Everything

Every positive change begins simply with noticing our actions.

When I started paying closer attention to the way I spoke, I noticed clear patterns.

Sometimes my speech was assertive, confident, and precise. Other times, it was hesitant, scattered, and filled with unnecessary filler words.

Once I became aware that I was slipping into these uncertain or weaker speech patterns, I consciously made adjustments.

I'd immediately correct my posture—straightening my spine, pulling back my shoulders, and lifting my head slightly. Taking a deep breath to center myself, I'd intentionally slow my speech, articulating each word clearly and deliberately.

Developing this kind of awareness isn't complicated; it starts with small, mindful check-ins. I'd briefly reflect after conversations, noticing how I spoke and how others reacted.

Occasionally, I'd record myself speaking, even if just for a moment, and listen back to identify habits I hadn't noticed. At times, I even asked trusted friends for gentle feedback on my communication.

Simply becoming aware of how I spoke made lasting change possible.

Now I'm consistently mindful of how I communicate and carry myself because I know that awareness truly is the first step toward any meaningful transformation.

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Speaking with Intention

When you speak with intention, the world around you responds differently.

As soon as I began practicing intentional speaking, I noticed something remarkable:

whenever I consciously adjusted my tone, pace, and clarity, my emotions and energy quickly followed suit.

My confidence rose, my anxiety eased, and I felt more grounded and present in every conversation. I was genuinely surprised by how swiftly this change happened.

Taking one deep breath before speaking became my simple ritual to center myself.

This small action calmed my nerves, reset my mindset, and allowed me to speak authentically without feeling the need to artificially project authority or confidence.

What I discovered is that intentional speaking isn't about external tricks or forced behaviors—it genuinely starts from within.

By aligning my internal state first, my words naturally carried greater weight and impact. Speaking intentionally has transformed not only how others perceive me but also how I perceive myself.

Self-confidence Comes From Within

Through experimenting with intentional speaking, I discovered that changing my behavior in small but meaningful ways made a huge impact.

Here are three powerful insights that emerged from this process.

First, posture makes a huge difference.

By simply standing or sitting taller, I felt immediately more confident.

Straightening my spine, pulling my shoulders back, lifting my chin slightly, and making eye contact allowed me to tap into a feeling of personal strength.

Even subtle adjustments like keeping my hands relaxed or planting my feet firmly on the ground made my internal state shift, increasing my sense of authority and clarity.

Second, intentional breathing focuses my energy on my strengths.

Before important conversations, consciously slowing down my breathing helped center my thoughts and ease my anxiety.

I'd take a slow, deep inhale, pause briefly, and exhale intentionally. This simple practice quickly shifted my emotional state, allowing me to connect to my strengths and speak from a place of confidence.

It became a powerful tool to calm my nerves and bring out my best self.

Third, deliberate speaking improves impact.

For me, this started by clearly organizing my thoughts before opening my mouth.

Writing regularly has greatly improved my ability to articulate ideas clearly. The key was to concentrate on one concept at a time, reducing filler words, slowing down my speech, and deliberately emphasizing important points.

Intentional pauses gave listeners the chance to absorb my words fully, significantly enhancing how my message resonated.

Whenever I apply these strategies, people respond noticeably differently. They become more attentive and respectful. Even more importantly, I feel a newfound respect for myself, reinforcing that these small adjustments truly have a big impact.

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Your Voice Creates Your Reality

Through experience, I've discovered that our voice isn't just a reflection of how we feel.

The way we speak actively shapes our emotions, our confidence, and how others perceive us.

Thankfully, we have complete control over this powerful tool.

True confidence doesn't come from waiting for validation from others. It emerges from within, strengthening each time we choose to act deliberately and purposefully.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways I've found to cultivate this internal confidence is by intentionally changing the way I speak.

Next time you find yourself feeling uncertain or anxious, consider this simple approach:

Start by noticing your current speaking style. Then, consciously adjust your posture, slow and deepen your breathing, and speak with deliberate clarity and a confident tone.

You might be amazed at how quickly your internal state shifts, and how positively those around you begin to respond.

Have you ever noticed this connection between your speech and your confidence?

I'd genuinely love to hear your own experiences and insights—please share them below!

Sending you good vibes 🌻

Manuel
manuelsaez.com