I say “uhm” too much
By Laurie Schloff

Vocalized pauses or fillers, including uhm, uh, ah, and their close relatives like, you know, and okay? are some of the most common concerns brought to a speech consultant. We don’t uhm want to uh get too um picky here, since one to three percent of everyone’s speech normally contains hesitations–and folks like Bobby and Ted Kennedy have spoken successfully in public life despite long aah pauses. However, a bad case of um-itis makes you annoying to listen to. So why do so many of us uhm along in life? Most often, vocalized pauses function as a way to fill up space as we formulate the next thought. Though old habits take some time to break, it is possible to banish the uhms and ahs forever.

For Uhm and Uh Extermination

1. Spend a week observing your uhm and uh pattern. One client kept an uhm tally on her clipboard whenever she spoke at a meeting. Just becoming aware of the dimension of the problem helps you cut down. Optional: Enlist the help of a friend to signal when you’re using too many fillers in your everyday conversation.

2. Practice deliberately inserting silent one- or two-second pauses into your speech. Many people who uhm their listeners to distraction don’t realize that short silences are less obtrusive and perfectly acceptable.

3. Your goal is to allow a slight pause instead of unnecessary vocalizing. Try to catch the start of uhm and uh (you can feel it in a movement of your vocal cords). Nip it in the bud and just be silent instead!

I say "Uhm" too much
Written by: Laurie Schloff, Executive Communication Coach
Excerpt from: Smart Speaking

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By Laurie Schloff (BS.,MA.)

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