No One Gets A Prize for Finishing First in Public Speaking: Slow Down and Reap The Rewards

No one wants to get a speeding ticket.

The fact is that speeding may get you to where you’re going a few minutes ahead of schedule but ultimately the price of crashing, being penalized, or losing control of your car and hurting someone just isn’t worth it.

It’s the same with public speaking.

When you race through your presentation, pitch, or update at a meeting, you not only risk stumbling over your words and losing your audience but you also increase your chances of feeling panicked, anxious, and nervous.

Racing to get to the end of your presentation might seem like the most likely course for survival but there are huge benefits to slowing down your delivery and taking your time.?

Remember, if you’re rushing, your audience will feel rushed.? And an audience who feels rushed is not a happy audience.

Here are my top five reasons why you need to slow down in your public speaking and how you and your audience will benefit from a slower pace in your delivery.

#1 Slowing Down Your Delivery Will Help with "Um's" and "Uh's"

One of the most common pitfalls in public speaking is the use of filler words such as "um," "uh," "like," and "you know." These verbal crutches can undermine a speaker's credibility and distract from the message. One effective way to minimize the use of filler words is by slowing down your delivery.

When speaking quickly, it becomes harder to maintain a steady flow of thoughts and words. The brain races to keep up with the mouth, leading to moments of hesitation where filler words often sneak in. Slowing down allows you to think more clearly and deliberately, providing the necessary time to formulate your thoughts. This deliberate pacing helps reduce the frequency of filler words, resulting in a cleaner, more polished presentation.

Additionally, a slower pace enables better control over your speech. It gives you the opportunity to breathe and collect your thoughts, reducing the need to fill gaps with unnecessary words. When you're not rushing, you're more likely to find the right words and expressions, making your message more coherent and impactful. This level of control can be particularly beneficial during Q&A sessions or when addressing complex topics, where a measured response is crucial.

#2 Create a More Resonant Voice

A resonant, powerful voice can captivate an audience and enhance the delivery of your message. Speaking too quickly, however, can hinder vocal resonance. When you rush, you tend to speak in a higher pitch, which can sound strained and less authoritative. Slowing down allows you to maintain a lower, more resonant pitch, which conveys confidence and authority.

A slower pace also enables better breath control. Proper breath support is essential for a strong, clear voice. When you speak too quickly, you may not have enough time to take deep breaths, leading to shallow breathing. This can cause your voice to sound weak and breathy. By slowing down, you can take deeper breaths, providing the necessary support for a full, rich voice.

Moreover, slowing down your speech allows for better articulation. Fast speech can lead to mumbled or slurred words, making it difficult for the audience to understand you. Taking your time ensures that each word is enunciated clearly, enhancing the overall quality of your delivery. This is especially important in public speaking, where clarity is key to effectively conveying your message.

#3 Master Those Nerves

Nervousness is a common experience in public speaking, and it often manifests as a tendency to rush through the presentation. Many speakers feel the urge to get through their material as quickly as possible, believing it will ease their anxiety. However, speaking too quickly can exacerbate nervousness, as it creates a sense of urgency and tension.

Slowing down can have a calming effect on both the speaker and the audience. It gives you the opportunity to relax, breathe, and settle into your presentation. When you take your time, you have more control over your pacing and delivery, which can help reduce anxiety. This sense of control can also boost your confidence, making you feel more comfortable and at ease.

In addition, a slower pace allows you to better manage the physical symptoms of nervousness, such as a racing heart or shaky hands. By taking deep, deliberate breaths, you can calm your nervous system and maintain a steady, composed demeanor. This not only helps you feel more confident but also creates a more positive impression on the audience.

#4 Going Blank or Forgetting Your Words

One of the most dreaded moments in public speaking is going blank—forgetting what you were going to say next. This can be especially concerning when speaking quickly, as the pressure to keep up the pace can make it difficult to recover. Slowing down can be a valuable strategy for preventing and managing these moments.

A slower pace gives you more time to think and organize your thoughts. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with complex or unfamiliar material. By taking your time, you reduce the likelihood of getting lost or confused. Even if you do forget a point, a slower pace allows you to pause and regroup without the added pressure of needing to fill the silence quickly.

In the event that you do go blank, slowing down can help you recover gracefully. Instead of panicking and rushing to find the next point, you can pause, take a deep breath, and calmly resume. This approach not only buys you time but also demonstrates confidence and composure to the audience. Remember, the audience is usually unaware of your intended script, so a calm recovery can make any lapse seem intentional.

#5 Engage and Connect with Your Audience

Ultimately, the goal of public speaking is to communicate effectively with your audience. A key component of this is ensuring that your message is clear and engaging. ?Speaking too quickly can overwhelm the audience, making it difficult for them to follow along and absorb the information. Slowing down enhances the overall audience experience by making your speech more accessible and enjoyable.

A slower pace allows the audience to process and reflect on the information being presented. It gives them time to think about what you're saying and connect it to their own experiences. This can be particularly important when presenting complex or detailed information, where a quick pace can lead to confusion or misunderstanding.

Furthermore, a slower delivery can make your speech more engaging. It allows for greater use of vocal variety, emphasizing key points, and adding dramatic pauses. These elements can capture the audience's attention and keep them engaged throughout your presentation. A well-timed pause can be just as powerful as a well-chosen word, allowing the audience to fully grasp the significance of what you're saying.

In addition, slowing down can make your presentation feel more conversational. It gives the impression that you're speaking with the audience, rather than at them. This can foster a sense of connection and rapport, making the audience more receptive to your message. A conversational tone can also make you seem more approachable and relatable, enhancing the overall impact of your presentation.

Don’t Get a Speeding Ticket!?

At the end of the day, slowing down your delivery in public speaking offers numerous benefits. It helps reduce filler words, enables a more resonant voice, calms nerves, prevents you from going blank and panicking, and helps you connect more fully with the most important person in the room, the audience.

By taking your time and speaking with intention, you can deliver a more polished, confident, and engaging presentation and get the results you want in all your communication situations.

See you on the inside!

Maria T. xx

PS. Book your FREE discovery call here with me and become the confident, powerful, inspiring speaker you want to be.

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