My $100 Challenge - Donate To Stop Saying "Umm"

Ummm, so I like kinda have a confession....I've given conference keynotes, been on panels, presented in front of classes, and generally feel confident with public speaking. But since starting an experiment to create a YouTube channel, I've been surprised by just how many times I say filler transition words ("Um", "Like", "So", "Kinda").

I developed a plan to remove those words and have more clear speech.

Scroll to the bottom and give me a comment with your most used filler word AND any of your public speaking strategies. Then scroll back up and read the rest, ha :)

When I'm recording a 10 minute video, I probably have about 30-45 minutes of footage that I end up editing. And after posting my 7th video on QuinnTalksMoney this year and realizing the unbelievable amount of filler words I use, I thought of a plan.

Donate to charity to stop saying the filler words!

I decided that I would record the videos in one take AND any time I used Um, Like, So, or Kinda, I would donate $1 to a charity. Once I hit $33 I would choose a charity and donate the money. This would force me to slow down, be more intentional with the words I chose and put me in a situation where I would truly know the extent of my "Um" problem.

I would do this three times until I hit $100 to charity. This should take me a while...right?

WRONG!

1st Attempt - I recorded a video on recommendations for online investing platforms. It was a topic I felt confident completing in one take.

While I was recording, I tried to keep track of the Um, Like, So, and Kinda uses.

At the end, I was proud because in my head I had counted 3 and thought to myself, "It's going to take me awhile to get to $33 at this pace."

NOT SO FAST!

Let's just say that I must be really bad at counting too.

As I rewatched the footage, I kept a tally. Within the first minute or so I had already passed 3...

Then it was 10...

15...

20...

25...

30...

THIRTY THREE!!!!

I could not believe it! In the first video, the one I had so much confidence in, I said the filler words 33 times. That was $33 toward a charity (see charities chosen below).

Hitting the $100 mark

7 videos later, I have exceeded the mark! There's a good chance I even missed some when counting during the editing.

Here are the stats:

• Attempt 1 (Investing Apps): $33 for 33 filler words
• Attempt 2 (Extra Income Ideas): $9 for 9 filler words
• Attempt 3 (Investing Mistakes): $15 for 15 filler words
• Attempt 4 (Charlie Munger): $15 for 15 filler words
• Attempt 5 (GameStop Part 1): $10 for 10 filler words
• Attempt 6 (GameStop Part 2): $12 for 12 filler words
• Attempt 7 (GameStop Part 4): $8 for 8 filler words

*Some of these I ended up not being able to do in one-take. I counted the filler words while editing.

Maintaining perfection

It would be great if maintaining perfection was as easy as that, but I know I'll continue saying filler words every now and then. Although I've definitely reduced my filler words, it will take a conscious effort to change this habit.

Practice is the best I can do, and I vow to continue bringing clarity to my content and speaking :)

Charities I've Chosen

I am overjoyed to have been able to donate $33 to each of these amazing charities:

• Lunch on Me - After spending the month of December in Los Angeles, I found this incredible organization. They bring nutritious meals to skid row and serve 10,000 people per month. They have an awesome bodega, LaRayia's Bodega that is an extension of the non-profit. If you are in LA, please go check it out. Buy a kombucha, some sea moss, a crystal, and support/volunteer.
• Got Green Seattle - Another great org in Seattle that is helping to raise voices and break down the "green ceiling" that keeps low income communities from finding benefits in the green economy. And check out that great website art.
• Good Cheer Food Bank - This is a local non-profit in my community that runs a food bank and thrift store to help support the community on South Whidbey Island in Washington.

In addition, I'm joining a Toastmasters group to continue learning and growing.

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