Death to Um: Killing Your Filler Word Habit

Um… I was thinking, um, I would do a write up on filler words and like how they can um be distracting and how if you keep saying when you could pause, it just creates a really fun run on sentence and rather than ending a thought and moving onto the next one, people can like get lost in their own stream of consciousness and it’s not always a bad thing though but the audio medium is better suited to shorter sentences which is like the opposite of the written text, ya know?

Today we’re talking about filler words and how to stop using them as much. Reducing your filler words will not only make you a better podcaster, but a better conversationalist and preacher.

The Dreaded Um

Filler words are words (or sounds) we say as a natural way of processing. Um, and, like, ah, and so are among the most common. If you’ve ever edited your own audio recording, you’re painfully aware of how many filler words you use as a crutch. I often catch myself saying “You know?” rather than taking the time to explain the thing.

Studies found people who use less filler words came across as more credible. On the flip side, ums can help you appear more honest, like you haven’t rehearsed a lie. In a podcast, if an episode is completely void of an um or ah, it can feel robotic and unauthentic.

Truly, we all need to strike a balance.

Putting Um to Bed

Good news: you can kill your filler word crutch! Like any habit, you can learn, unlearn, and hack your way to improvement.

First, you have to observe how often you say it. It’s probably more than you think. Trying doing one of these things every time you say your filler word. The goal is to pair a physical activity with the mental one.

1. Snap your wrist with a rubber band
2. Pinch your leg
3. Tap the top of your head
4. Throw a crumpled piece of paper toward a bin
5. Transfer a paper clip from one cup to another
6. Tap your heels together twice (like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz)
7. Use American Sign Language to sign um
8. Mark a tally in a notebook
9. Do a squat
10. Scream as loud as possible ← Unreasonable? Yes but it would be funny.

Next, you’ll want to replace the filler word. But what to replace it with? Silence. It’s more than okay to collect your thoughts, take a breath, and then speak. Not to mention silence is easier and faster to edit in a recording (enter the Delete Silence effect).

Finally, slow down how fast your talk or wait a few seconds before you respond. I know people who have gone a week or so counting to five in their head before they respond to people. Yes it’s awkward at first but helped them learn to process first and then speak.

To Do

Pick one way from the list above to be conscious of your filler words. I’m personally going to have a pocket full of paper and try it for the next week. Whether I’m recording or having a conversation, every time I use a filler word, I’m going to toss a piece of paper. Pick a timeframe that works for you and then check in with me when you’re done! I’d love to know how many filler words you used.