A lot of people talk fast because they think slowing down will feel weird.
But the real reason you talk fast is this:
fast talking feels like escaping.
Slowing down feels like staying.
And staying feels vulnerable.
The secret: you don’t slow everything down.
You only slow down two moments:
the first sentence and the last sentence.
That’s it.
When your opening is steady, your whole voice settles.
When your ending is steady, you sound confident even if you were nervous.
Try this: the micro pause.
Before your first sentence, pause for one beat.
Not a dramatic pause.
Just one breath.
Then say your first sentence a bit slower.
What to do with your hands (so you don’t rush):
➡️ put one hand lightly on your notes
➡️ or hold a pen
➡️ or rest your hand on the table
Your body will stop sprinting.
The line that fixes the awkward feeling
If you lose your place, don’t speed up.
Say:
Let me say that again clearly. Give me one second to frame this.
Those lines make you sound intentional not nervous.
Micro Practice
Record yourself saying one sentence twice. First at your normal speed. Then a bit slower with a breath before you start.
Listen back.
You won’t sound awkward.
You’ll sound grounded.
Reflection question: Where do you rush? The beginning, the middle, or the end?
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