WHY WE COMMUNICATE

Chances are good you have heard the phrase “find your why” at least once or twice. It is something mentors say when reminding us to get back to why we do or want to do something. Some people call it your motivation, your reason, or your purpose. Whatever you call it, your “why” is a very important part of your life.

We all have different “whys” in our lives. Some of us are motivated by money, some by freedom, time, love, material possessions, or fame. It doesn’t really matter what it is, what matters is that it is (or should be) at the center of your behavior to reach whatever it is you desire.

Today I want to talk about the “why” behind communication. Humans communicate for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. We also communicate differently based on the stage of life we are in. Babies are limited in their ability to communicate verbally so they cry when they need something. It is simple; If they are uncomfortable in any way (hungry, wet, tired, etc) they cry. A baby’s cry is easy to understand, and it is effective. However, as we grow older, we are expected to communicate in different ways. Afterall, a 40-year-old can’t really go around crying when they are hungry and expect someone to feed them (if only…hahaha!).

As we go and grow through life, our communication processes change. We go from simply crying out for simple necessities to being able to verbalize our thoughts, ask meaningful questions, think critically, communicate non-verbally, write amazing works, and speak in ways that inspire the masses.

At a basic level, humans communicate for two reasons: survival and connection.

Babies communicate merely to survive. As we age into adulthood, enter the workforce or business world, and raise our own families, we communicate for a different reason: to connect with other humans.

Some would argue that connection with others IS part of survival (after the great quarantines of 2020 and 2021, I would agree with them). Connection is what drives us to communicate, it is the WHY behind the action. But connection looks different for everyone, and so does communication.

Public service announcement: I’m about to commit a cardinal sin here and start my sentence with “So” 😉

So, why do YOU communicate? What is your favorite way to communicate? Are you verbal communicator who can work wonders with spoken words, or do you prefer to “talk with your hands” as some people call it and speak through your body language? Or maybe you trip over spoken words, but your written words are as smooth as butter. Whatever your preference, WHY do you do it?

Let me share my WHY with you.

I LOVE to write, and I LOVE to speak (specifically to groups in a seminar or lecture setting). Writing is such a terrific method of communication because it is fluid, changeable, and permanent (or not…you can always erase or delete what you write or print and save it forever). If you don’t like what you have said in writing, you can change it, and no one has to “unhear” it. If you haven’t shared or published the words, you can take them back and no one ever knows the difference. You can write for yourself or for the masses. You can write poetry, prose, short stories, novels, or academic works. The possibilities are endless and potentially everlasting.

I write because it gives me a creative outlet and I enjoy it. It also gives me a means to connect with my audience in a manner that is comfortable for me and convenient for them.

Speaking is the opposite of writing. Even if you have your words written down, you will never ever perform them exactly how they are written. The beautiful thing about speaking is that it is truly a once in a lifetime event. Even if you give the same speech multiple times, it will never be to the same audience, in the same atmosphere, with the same emotion and feedback. Every experience of speaking is different, even if the content is the same. This is what makes it so fun.

I love to speak because I enjoy the rush of adrenaline that comes from being in front of a crowd. Even more, I love knowing that my words might have an impact on someone in the audience. That simply by hearing my words, their life may be forever changed. Spoken words are the most powerful words out there. What’s more, once spoken, they are gone. They exist for a mere moment in their spoken form, and just as quickly as they are breathed to life, they die. But the impact spoken words have can last forever.

Here's an example: Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I have a dream” speech in 1963. Nearly 60 years later, most Americans over the age of 18 know of his speech and the context in which it was given, even though most of them weren’t alive when it was delivered. THIS is the power of spoken words.

I hope you will be inspired to take a moment and determine your whys in life. Think about why you do the work you do, serve the people you serve, communicate the way you do, and live the way you do. What is the driving force behind your behaviors. Dig deep and the answers might surprise you!

Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to hear more about your why! Book a call or jump on over to my social media to leave a comment or say hello!

If you need some mindset help, have questions about your communication skills and strategies, or just need a new ear to listen to your business goals and fears, you have come to the right place! I currently have openings for new coaching clients, and I would love to help you overcome your mindset and communication hurdles! Head on over to my resources page to book a FREE call, download my communication guide, get on my email list, connect on social media, or enroll in my services!

I hope to see you soon!

Ciao for now!