7 Tips to Stop Using Fillers While Speaking
One of the most negative speech habits we often hear is the overuse of fillers such as “um” or “like”. It is highly noticeable and can negatively affect how others think of you and the message you are trying to deliver. Reducing or eliminating fillers in your speech can significantly improve communication and help you sound more confident, deliberate, and articulate.
Here are seven strategies to help you stop using fillers when speaking:
Increase self-awareness: Focus on your speech patterns and identify the specific fillers you tend to use. Common fillers include "um," "uh," "like," "you know," and "so." Becoming aware of your fillers is the first step towards reducing and eliminating them from your speech pattern.
Practice silence: Embrace silence instead of feeling you need to ‘fill the space; when you need to gather your thoughts or formulate a response. Pausing for a moment not only allows you to gather your ideas but also gives your speech a more deliberate and thoughtful quality.
Pace yourself: If you speak too quickly you can tend to use more fillers as your brain tries to catch up with your thoughts. By consciously slowing down your speech, you give yourself more time to articulate your ideas without relying on fillers.
Prepare and rehearse: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare. If you’re giving a presentation or participating in a meeting, take the time to prepare and rehearse your speech or remarks. Familiarity with the content will reduce the need for fillers or speaking ‘off the cuff’ and increase your confidence.
Use transitional phrases: Fillers often emerge when we need a moment to transition from one thought to another. Instead of using fillers, use transitional phrases such as "Moving on," "In addition," or "Furthermore." These phrases signal to your listeners that you're transitioning and give you a brief pause to collect your thoughts.
Active listening: Actively listening to others can help you become more conscious of your own speech patterns. Pay attention to how others speak and observe if they use fillers. This awareness can help you internalize the importance of reducing fillers in your own communication.
Seek feedback and help: Ask trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors to provide feedback on your speech. For additional assistance and improvement of your speech, work with the speech therapists at SpeechScience for a customized program to address your specific speech habits.
Remember that breaking the habit of using fillers takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and keep practicing these strategies consistently. Over time, you'll notice a positive change in your speaking habits and become a more effective communicator.
