I sometimes work with clients who I describe as communicating in 2D rather than 3. This usually happens for one of two main reasons: fear or focus.
- People who are afraid get tangled up in their own system. They want to hide, so instead of turning outward, they turn inward and contract.
- People who are focused get caught up—not necessarily in themselves, but in the content—and they can’t get past it.
While the solutions for these two challenges may differ – particularly the mindset part – there are common strategies that help both:
Two Techniques to Expand Your Presence into 3D
Breathe Outward
- Breathe into the space in front of you. Imagine it going past you into the room.
- Imagine that breath connecting you with your audience.
Use Panoramic Vision
- Engage your peripheral vision—while still looking ahead, be aware of what’s on either side of you, and even behind you.
If you can go panoramic with your vision and breathe outwards, you can override the tendency to get stuck in 2D, too close to yourself—whether due to fear or content focus.