This informal CPD article ‘No “Ums” allowed – How to stop using filler words‘ was provided by UK Body Talk. Body Talk believes that everyone can be a great communicator, they offer workshops and coaching that help you remove habits that might hold you back and equips you with the tools you need to unleash your inner communicator.
Do you ever find yourself using "um," "er," "like," and other filler words? Maybe it's to indicate to your listener that you haven't finished speaking, or perhaps you're trying to mask a pause in your speech. Maybe you don't even notice that you're using them! It's important to be aware of your use of filler words. They may hurt your communication ability—making you look ill-prepared, nervous, or unsure about what you say.
Why do we use filler words?
Nervousness
Sometimes, nervousness can result in speaking too quickly as we try to rush through our speech to get it over with. When we talk too fast, it can be difficult for our brain to catch up and identify what the next word or phrase is going to be. We may use filler words to fill in the gaps when thinking about what to say next.
Lack of preparation
When you don't know what you'll say, sometimes you find yourself at the end of a sentence without knowing where to go next. This can mean we struggle to communicate an idea concisely or have difficulty summarising or linking concepts. Again, we're using filler words to buy time while we think about what we want to say next.
Insecurity
If we're worried about being judged, we may feel uncomfortable. Focusing on ourselves and whether or not others may judge us and our ideas can cause us to stumble, hesitate, and fill in the gaps with filler words.
Fear of conflict
If you're faced with an objection or a difficult conversation, knowing how to respond immediately can be difficult. As your brain tries to process, you may use filler words, but this can come across as being shifty or lacking conviction.
How can we avoid using filler words?
You will never be able to avoid using filler words altogether, but you can take steps to decrease your usage of filler words and speak more fluently and confidently.
1. Practice self-awareness
Identify how and when you tend to use filler words. Try to identify which ones you use and when. How do you feel in those situations? Bringing awareness to your speech will help you focus on the areas you can improve while also becoming more deliberate in your speaking choices.
2. Take it slowly
The easiest way to decrease your use of filler words is to slow down your pace when speaking. You will have more time to focus on what you will say next. It will give you more control over your words and make you look more confident.
3. Embrace the pause
Much like slowing down your speech, well-timed and deliberate pauses can give your audience time to think and process. When you have something important to say, you can pause before or after it and by embracing the pause you're less likely to use one of those pesky filler words.
Use these top 3 tips to appear more confident, well prepared and knowledgeable in your upcoming conversations, team meetings or presentations and prevent filler words from holding you back.
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