Slow down!
“You talk too fast. I can’t follow you.”
I’ve heard this all my life. Admittedly, I’m still working on it and I have good days and bad days, good moments and bad moments.
I get gosh darn excited. I end up in the fast lane.
How do you down shift and move back to the slow lane? (And yes, it does matter. And yes, you have to practice it.)
- Make it matter that people follow you. And notice if they are. Ask if they are.
- Let your words and thoughts land on the person or people to whom you are speaking. Don’t move on to the next one until you see the first one land.
- Avoid caffeine before you speak!
You may find you lose your train of thought if you slow down so you have to practice and get comfortable with the slower pace.
And yes, it matters. Clear communication matters.
