Managing your-self (I talk too fast)

My contention is that it’s not physically possible to talk faster than our brains can compute.

Here are some statistics that supports this point.

On average, speakers talk at a rate of about 150-160 words per minute. Our ears are comfortable with the rate, it’s become a standard. For example, that pace is recommended for people who record books on tape.

Although researchers have proven that adults can fully comprehend what they hear at a rate of 300 words per minute. That’s certainly twice the average rate you know?

I TALK TOO FAST CANNOT BE A PROBLEM

John Moschitta, the actor who made a series of deadpan fast talking ads for FedEx in 1980’s.  The Guinness Book of world records clocked him at a mind boggling 586 words per minute. The fun of those commercials are that he is been understood by everybody. This means, although he talks too fast, faster than 300   words per minute his words are pretty much understandable

So, is it really possible for people to “talk too fast”? I don’t think so. But do we hear speakers who make us think, “Gush, he talks too fast!” Sure. What’s going on?

When we think a presenter talks too fast, what we really mean is that he’s confused our ear. It’s not that there are too many words per minute, but rather that he blurred the indicators our ears need to d-code spoken language. (This assumes that her speech is understandable and that diction isn’t the issue)

The comparability would be, if this entire tip were written without punctuation or spacing. It would still be English but, it would be tough to decode.

So what can you do to be sure you don’t turn our listener’s ears off?

This few three things, they are:
(i) End ideas with a downward inflection and breath
(ii) Ask for understanding

(iii) Talk to them (your listeners)

FIRST: “END IDEAS WITH A DOWNWARD INFLECTION AND BREATH”.

No matter how quickly you string your words together, stop at the end of your sentences.

The downward inflection and pause indicator that tells our brains to compute the idea file it away and gets ready for the next idea. You need this if you are to make sense. The easiest way to be sure you’re giving us the indicator you need is to breathe when you end a thought.

The downward inflection and the pause are to our ears while the white space, punctuation marks and full stops between letters are to our own eyes. It helps. So do well not to blur it.  

SECOND: “ASK FOR UNDERSTANDING”

If you have a concern that you speak too fast, one way to slow yourself down is to ask your listeners if they have any questions, and then wait for the answer.

Actually any tactics you devise to interrupt yourself will help you slow down.

THIRD: TALK TO THEM (YOUR LISTENERS)

One major reason (but certainly not the only reason) people speed up on their speech is because of the nervousness. As adrenaline turns anxiety, they begin to race through their material as if they’re trying to outrun a cheater.

Try to manage your nervousness.

Nervousness is ultimately you focusing on just you.

“Am I good enough?”……. “Do they like me?”….. “How am I doing?”….. “My voice/diction seems awful to me!”….. “Can I really convince my audience?”

Nervousness is completely self centered.

The instant you’re able to shift from focusing on yourself to focusing on the people listening to you, nervousness disappears.

Engage yourself with questions that focus on your listeners: “do they understand this?”…. “I wonder how this sounds to them.”……. “What questions do people usually have at this point?”…… “What do I have/want `to make them understand?”

When you get focused on the people in the room, the natural pauses and rhythms that help clarify, rather than blur your meaning will begin to emerge.

ENGAGE YOUR NATURAL BEING:

Think of it this way: when you are chatting with close buddies, do you speak too fast or blur the indicator that helps your audience d-code your speech?

I doubt you do! You probably speak completely natural.

            So why does that behavior change when you’re in front of people waiting to hear you speak to them?

It’s your negative self talk or yourself esteem or your sock puppet. But your natural cadences live inside you. If you will talk to your audience and take focus of yourself, you will do just fine.

            Try out these tips and see how wonderful your speaking ability would be!