??Stop Saying "Like" and "Um" So Much, Dude! ??
Loribeth Pierson
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Drop the "Likes" and "Ums" - How to Speak with More Authority.
We've all had those super cringeworthy moments where someone in class or at a job won't shut up with the "likes" and "ums." It's like, um, like, they can't, like, form a complete sentence without, um, uttering those stupid filler words every other word. Pretty annoying, right?
Those bad language habits might not seem like a huge deal when you're just chatting with your besties about your latest Netflix binge. But listen up, because using "like" and "um" too much in serious situations can totally sabotage your future goals and opportunities.
Here's the deal - when you go on job interviews, give class presentations, or try to sell your entrepreneurial ideas, pumping your speech full of verbal crutches makes you come across as immature, unprepared, and not very sharp. It screams "I have no clue what I'm talking about!"
Dude, could you imagine bombing a huge interview to work at your dream company right out of college because you kept saying "um, like, yeah, so, um" every few seconds? Or trying to convince investors to fund your amazing startup idea but sounding like a rambling valley girl who can't articulate a coherent thought? Not a great look.
On top of that, peppering every sentence with filler garbage like "like" and "um" makes it way harder to effectively communicate and get your point across. It's distracting and undermines your credibility big time. If you want people to take you seriously as a future leader and high-achiever, you got to ditch those bad verbal habits pronto.
Luckily, you can absolutely train yourself to stop saying "like" and "um" through persistence and self-discipline.?? Just record yourself for practice, become hyper-aware of those filler slip-ups, and make an active effort to pause naturally instead. It's an easy way to immediately level up your communication skills.
Unless you want to be stuck saying "ummm, like" while asking customers "do you want fries with that?" for the rest of your life, cut that junk out of your vocabulary ASAP. Start speaking with clarity and confidence now!
?? Future multi-millionaire you will be grateful you did.
?? Here are 3 examples of how to stop saying filler words like "like" and "um":
1?? Use Pauses Intentionally Instead of filling silences with meaningless filler words, get comfortable with brief, intentional pauses. Pausing allows you to collect your thoughts before speaking again. It makes you sound more deliberate and authoritative. Embrace the pause as a powerful tool rather than fearing the silence.
2?? Practice Power Statements Prepare and memorize a few concise "power statements" that summarize your key points or positioning. Having these punchy statements at the ready makes it easier to speak with confidence and without relying on crutch words. Use them as anchors when you feel filler words creeping in.
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3?? Record and Analyze Yourself One of the most effective ways to reduce filler words is to video record your practice presentations, interviews, or pitches. Review the recordings and make a tally of every time you said "like," "um," or other filler words. Seeing and hearing it for yourself makes you more aware of the habit. Set a goal of reducing those filler instances by a percentage each practice session. Deliberate self-critique leads to meaningful improvement.
?? The common thread in all of these is conscious commitment. Eliminating filler words from your speech patterns takes consistent effort, self-awareness, and deliberate practice. But the payoff in more polished, persuasive communication makes it worthwhile. Adopt these strategies, and soon phrases like "um, like, you know" will be things of the past.
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I wish you the best of luck! ??
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Cybersecurity Expert | Visionary IT Leader | Proven 15+ Yrs. InfoSec | Transformative Leadership | Strategic Developer of Security Policies | World-Class Team Builder | Published Cybersecurity Author
8 个月I totally agree with this, it's very distracting in an interview.
Program Manager | Strategic Administrative Leader | Driving Operational Excellence & Sustainable Growth | Building High-Performing Teams
8 个月No one wants to listen to a valley girl 24/7! lol
Senior-Level Writer and Editor
8 个月Um, like, this is so true! : )