The average speaking rate is 150 words per minute.  This is a rate of speed that is comfortable for the listener and manageable for the brain to process and digest information.  Speaking too slowly is painful for listeners!  Often valuable information is lost because the listener feels tortured by the slow, labored, monotone speech pattern.  This style of speaking can produce negative consequences for professional business situations.

Increasing your rate of speech is not about saying your words more quickly.  Easily learn how to be mindful of your speaking rate and use intonation to add rhythm and tempo to sustain your listener’s attention toward your important information.

Picking Up The Pace With Real World Practice
Strategy Training

1. Avoid Long Pauses

   Keep your speech free flowing and fluid.  When you feel yourself taking an unnecessary pause stop, and continue moving forward with your thoughts.   It may be helpful to ask a trusted friend or colleague monitor this habit to assist with your awareness your speech is always moving forward at a pleasant pace.

   2.  Proper Midsection Breathing
   Use your proper midsection breathing techniques.  This may help increase your rate of speech by blending the pace of your breath, thoughts and articulators into a smooth flowing unit. 

3. Match Your Tempo

   If you are speaking to another person increase your speech rate to match theirs.  By matching their cadence you will be prompted to pick up the pace.

4. Drive Your Speech to the Point

   People are very busy these days particularly those with a tight professional agenda. The average person only actively listens for 11 minutes. It is best to skip long pauses and wordy statements. To keep a potential client or customer’s attention, be mindful of your point and get to it.

5. Talk with Your Hand

   Use subtle and mild gestures with your hand to prompt you to keep your speech and ideas flowing.  Simply drop your arm down by your side and rotate your hand in a circular motion while you are speaking.  The movement from your hand will help keep your speech moving forward. It can be done discreetly to avoid distracting other people.