Filler words, pause words or hesitations such as ‘ergh’, ‘um’, ‘like’, ‘ahh’, ‘so’, ‘right’, ‘you know’. They are easy to develop and difficult to get rid of. You could be are an expert on a given subject, yet with filler words you sound ill informed, like you don’t know your stuff and people may not continue to listen to the point you are trying to get across.
Here are 5 steps to remove your filler words.
Take note of what your filler words are and when you say them
Use your friends, your partner or people you talk to a lot to help you take note of what your pause words are. Notice what other people’s filler words are as well as it can help recognise your filler words.
Think about what you are going to say before you say it
Allow your brain to compose what you are about to say. By embracing the silence this will lead into this point.
Take a breath
Take a breath before in and out before or after you speak. This will also help to compose yourself when speaking and allow you to collect your thoughts.
Embrace the sound of silence
When you are speaking it is okay to have silence between your sentences. It allows people to digest what you are saying. This will also make you sound deliberate and confident with your speech. Do not feel the need to replace silence with your filler words.
You do not need to know everything
When you are asked a question, you do not need to know the answer to all questions. If you are high in agreeableness on the Big 5 personality traits, this could be an important one for you. You might want approval from the person you are speaking with and therefore want to provide an answer or assistance.
If you want to get rid of your filler words you will have to practice. They will not go away easy as your filler words are inserted without thought. You will need to be focused and work on this habit each and everyday until it becomes your new habit. By removing filler words you WILL be the expert on your given subject and people WILL listen to you when you do speak.
Sources:
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-are-filler-words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUY8DiQgUUg