“Um”---“u” ---“ok”---"so” ---”you know”.

Repetitive, negative speech habits can be grating or annoying to your listener. But here’s the good news ------ you can get rid of them. You can improve. You can speak impactfully!

But where do you start?

First, you must identify YOUR habits. Read below and be honest with yourself. If you’re really open to it, ask a trusted friend or colleague if you have any of the negative speaking habits listed below.

• Bad Speaking Habit #1: Using Fillers.  Saying “um” “like” “so” “you know” in regular conversation or in presentations. Using these words as filler can make you sound unprofessional or unpolished.

• Solution: Learn to enjoy the silence. Just like white-space is used in design, silence and pauses can be a powerful tool when speaking and presenting. You do not need to fill every open space with sound.

• Bad Speaking Habit #2: Speaking with “up” tone at the end of a sentence. This sounds like you are asking a question ( when you are not), or are unsure of what you are saying. Think – “ valley girl” talk.

• Solution: Practice ending your sentences with a “down tone”. Record yourself and listen to the difference when you actively work to lower your tone at the end of your sentences.

• Bad Speaking Habit #3: Sounding monotone. Booooorrrring!!! If you speak without expression or variety of tone – your listeners will be checking their email  while you are talking asap.

• Solution: Understand that inflections and tone changes in the voice conveys your meaning, and your feelings or emotions. You can exude confidence, energy, and encourage agreement from others by changing the tone in your voice. Recording your voice and listening back – (be honest with yourself!) is a great first step to using tone and inflection to your benefit.

• Bad Speaking Habit #4: Not speaking clearly. Mumbling, mispronouncing sounds, or speaking under your breath means others wont hear you correctly – and will not appreciate the full value of your ideas. Do you often see people looking at you as if they are trying to hear what you are saying? If so, mumbling or mispronouncing sounds may be possible reasons.

• Solution: Take a deep breath ---and  project your voice. Use your mouth to articulate your words.
  

• Bad Speaking Habit #5: Speaking too fast. Speaking too rapidly, and without pausing is a sure fire way to  lose your listeners - both literally and figuratively.

• Solution:  Similar to problem #4, deep breathing, slowing down, and pausing intently can help you pace yourself. When making a presentation, you can build in pause breaks that will serve as reminders to slow down. 

While these are some suggestions to make some improvements on your own, remember working with a speak therapist will ensure that you learn techniques that will specifically address your problem areas.

And always remember - you CAN become a better speaker--- and Speak Successfully!

Ready to overcome your negative speaking habits?