How To Shed Verbal Filler

Verbal fillers make a speaker seem less articulate and less sure of themselves and their message. Here are techniques that can help to shed the use of verbal fillers (uh, um, so, like, you know, basically, etc.)

1. Video tape or record yourself delivering a presentation or in a conversation. Watch your videotape or listen to the recording once just counting your verbal fillers. It may be painful and embarrassing but can fuel your determination to shed the fillers.

2. Enlist the help of others - your partner / spouse, friends, coworkers, family, etc. Empower them to repeat your fillers whenever they hear you using it.

3. Listen for your use of verbal filler at ALL times, whether presenting, in conversation, on the phone, in social situations, etc.

4. Don't beat yourself up about it. Just make a mental note and remind yourself that you want to ...

5. Use a pause instead of filler. Grow comfortable with silence and even learn to enjoy it.

6. Discipline yourself to pause even in the middle of sentences while you struggle to think of the word that you want.

7. Focus on the behavior you want. It's said that you can change any behavior if you focus on it for 21 days. Put "I will use pause not filler" on your to-do list for 21 consecutive days.

8. Stick with it! You can accomplish the change you seek if you don't give up.