Most people are terrified of silence when they speak (I was too). You feel that gap open up and rush to fill it.
So often when people use filler words like “Um, ah, so, you know, like”, they’re not replacing anything meaningful, they’re simply using these to avoid silence.
Stop Filling Silence. Start Using It.
Let’s flip the perspective, instead of seeing silence as awkward, see it as intentional.
Think of music, the most breathtaking moment in orchestral music often isn’t the crescendo, it’s what comes right after: The pause. That sharp intake of breath between notes, that’s what makes the sound hit harder. That’s what gives the moment weight.
Even if we’re comfortable using all the other notes (our words), many of us forget to use silence. And yet it’s one of the most beautiful notes available to us.
When you pause, something incredible happens.
People listen.
And more importantly, you give them time to think about what you’ve just said.
The Simple Trick To Stop Saying Um
When you feel yourself about to say “um” or “uh” or “so,” don’t fight it with more words, simply replace it with a pause. 🤫
It might feel weird at first, like you’re forgetting what to say. But I promise, it gets easier and the more you do it, the more confident you sound. 👊
