Inside Advice: How to Overcome Filler Words

So, let’s talk about, you know, those uh filler words. We call them “non-words,” right? They make you sound, like, unprofessional and less sure of yourself.

These seven filler words are the most common. There is no doubt you’ve noticed them finding their way into your conversation.

1. So
2. Uh, Um, Ah
3. Right?
4. You know (y’know)
5. I mean
6. Like
7. Okay

Non-words are forms of hesitation, discomfort, stress, stalling while searching for the next word, and the act of preventing silence. In bulk, they keep us from sounding charming and make us much less eloquent.

5 Ways to Overcome the Use of Filler Words

1.) Slow Down

Most people think about 400 words per minute but can only speak around 125 words in the same period. Your thoughts are quicker than your speech, and if you talk faster than usual, your mouth will have an even harder time catching up with your ideas — and rushing forces you to use filler words.

The solution is to take a breath and slow down. Slowing down lets you speak expressively, which helps your audience understand without the stress of trying to keep up.

2.) Embrace the Pause

Work strategic pauses into your speech. These purposeful pauses not only lessen your “ums” but also add dramatic impact to a sentence and give your audience time to absorb an idea.

When you settle into a rhythm, you’ll be able to speak more comfortably. If you use slides, you can pause between them and then compose your next thought, allowing your audience to prepare for the new insight.

3.) Prepare and Practice

Adrenaline disrupts your thought process, making it easier to say “uh.” But preparing and practicing can help you feel more confident and navigate the adrenaline. Practicing also helps you become more comfortable with your content, preventing you from relying on verbal fillers.

Practice is vital to improving your speaking skills, and you’ll become more aware of your crutches and habits as you practice.

4.) Record Yourself

Your mind doesn’t usually register your filler words, and recording yourself allows you to catch all those places where you tend to say “right?” or “like.” Knowing your favorite filler words will help you break the habit. Hearing your filler words can be frustrating at first, but trust the process.

5.) Chunk Your Information

Chunk your material, pause between natural breaks and establish a cadence. A strategic moment of silence gives your audience a moment to segue into the next section. Short breaks allow you to breathe and reset. The audience hardly notices these breaks and you are now easier to follow.

You can learn presence, and it just requires self-awareness and practice. If you want to be an engaging speaker, start by paying attention to the words you use — and those you want to weed out.