Regarding eliminating filler-words, My friend and I have a veryeffective strategy that we employ about once a year. In fact, we’re just about to commence another round—we called it “No-‘um’-November”.
The rules are simple:
Make a shortlist of words you want to eliminate. For me, they are typically “Um”, “Like”, “You know”, and “Kind of”. Don’t pick too many.
Every time you use the word, hit yourself hard on one cheek. A real firm, hopefully painful smack. It doesn’t matter where you are, nor who you’re talking to. No exceptions. Strike.
It is more enjoyable, and less odd, when you take this challenge with one or more friends or colleagues who you see on a daily basis.
The first time I tried this, I cut down nearly all filler-words within the first four days, and the rest of the month I spent simply being on high-alert.
Fortunately for us, we both have cheerful colleagues who are forgiving of “unusual” behaviour in the office.
Regarding eliminating filler-words, My friend and I have a very effective strategy that we employ about once a year. In fact, we’re just about to commence another round—we called it “No-‘um’-November”.
The rules are simple:
Make a shortlist of words you want to eliminate. For me, they are typically “Um”, “Like”, “You know”, and “Kind of”. Don’t pick too many.
Every time you use the word, hit yourself hard on one cheek. A real firm, hopefully painful smack. It doesn’t matter where you are, nor who you’re talking to. No exceptions. Strike.
It is more enjoyable, and less odd, when you take this challenge with one or more friends or colleagues who you see on a daily basis.
The first time I tried this, I cut down nearly all filler-words within the first four days, and the rest of the month I spent simply being on high-alert.
Fortunately for us, we both have cheerful colleagues who are forgiving of “unusual” behaviour in the office.