While filler words may seem harmless, they can actually be quite detrimental to your communication. That's because they can make you sound uncertain, unprepared, and even unprofessional.
Are you a fan of the filler words? You know, those little words that we use to fill up space in a sentence, like "um," "uh," "like," and "you know." If you're like most people, you probably use them without even realizing it.
Tips
So, how can you avoid using filler words? Here are a few tips:
1. Listen to yourself
The first step is to become aware of your filler words. The best way to do this is to record yourself speaking and then listen back. Doing this will help you to identify the filler words you use most often.
2. Slow down
Filler words are often used when we're speaking too quickly. If you find yourself using them frequently, try to slow down your speech. This will help you to think about what you're saying and avoid using filler words.
3. Take a pause
If you can't seem to shake your filler words, try taking a pause instead. This will give you a moment to gather your thoughts and choose your words more carefully.
4. Practice
Once you've become aware of your filler words and are working on reducing them, it's important to practice. This will help you to get better at communicating without relying on filler words.
5. Be confident
If you're confident in what you're saying, you're less likely to use filler words. So, work on building your confidence and you'll likely see a reduction in your filler words.