Three ways pausing makes you a better speaker

In the words of Ronan Keating, ‘you say it best when you say nothing at all.’

Silence isn’t empty, it's full of answers. Silence is GOLDEN.

You might be thinking as you read this, “I get the sentiment, but when I’m speaking I find it really hard to pause.”

You may associate pausing with negativity, like forgetting your place, not knowing the answer or being incompetent to speak.

It’s time to change this story, because there are at least THREE very good reasons to pause.

1. A pause means you have a chance to breathe in.

We think on the in-breath and speak on the out-breath. It’s impossible to breathe in while speaking which means if you don’t take pauses you don’t get enough air in and you run out of breath. At best you sound like you are rambling and at worst you hyperventilate.

2. A pause means your audience is able to digest what you’ve said. 

Don’t take away from your own wisdom! This is what happens when you drop amazing content and don’t allow the audience to absorb it during a pause. I hear this with many subject matter experts. You get so close to your subject, you think it’s basic, but to the audience it’s mind blowing.

3. A pause means the audience is on the edge of their seat.

A pause helps your audience lean in to what’s next. It’s an attention grabber. People want to know what comes next!

Remember this mantra - a pause is a gift. A pause is a gift to me and a gift for my audience.

Keen to learn more? Listen to episode 151 of That Voice Podcast called - The Power of the Pause: https://www.sallyprosser.com.au/thatvoicepodcast/151 

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