THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER by Matt Abrahams | Core Message

Summary

In 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter' by Matt Abrahams, the author shares practical strategies to manage speaking anxiety and improve impromptu communication. The 3S anxiety management plan—Separate yourself from anxiety, Slow your exhales, and Stick your landings—helps calm nerves and boost confidence. Abrahams encourages embracing silence, avoiding filler words, and daring to be 'dull' to quiet inner criticism. The book introduces the 'What, So What, Now What' structure to help speakers think on their feet and respond effectively. This guide equips readers with tools to speak more clearly, confidently, and authentically in high-pressure situations.

Takeaways

• 😊 Separate yourself from your anxiety: When you're anxious, treat it as if it were happening to someone else to gain better control.
• 😌 Slow your exhales: Extended exhales calm your nervous system, helping you slow down both your breathing and your speech.
• 🤐 Stick your landings: Avoid filler words by controlling your breath between points and embracing silence, which conveys confidence.
• 😅 Dare to be dull: Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on contributing simple, meaningful ideas to conversations.
• 🧠 Use the 'What, So What, Now What' structure: This three-part format helps organize thoughts and present them clearly during impromptu speaking.
• 🏗️ Think of conversation as building blocks: You don’t need groundbreaking ideas; sometimes, adding small but meaningful points to the discussion is enough.
• 😬 Manage anxiety by practicing: Executing the 3S plan—Separate, Slow, Stick—before speaking helps reduce performance anxiety.
• 🤝 Embrace spontaneity: Giving yourself permission to be less perfect leads to more authentic and effective communication.
• 💬 Structure your speech like a story: Just like Pixar uses story structures, use frameworks like 'Problem, Benefit, Solution' to present ideas persuasively.
• 🔄 Practice thinking on your feet: Regularly challenge yourself by summarizing content and applying the 'What, So What, Now What' structure in everyday situations.

Q & A

What is the 3S anxiety management plan mentioned in the book 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter'?

The 3S anxiety management plan consists of: 1) Separate yourself from your anxiety, 2) Slow your exhales, and 3) Stick your landings. These steps help reduce anxiety and improve speaking performance.

How does separating yourself from your anxiety help with impromptu speaking?

Separating yourself from anxiety involves observing your anxiety as if it were happening to someone else, which allows you to manage it better and still speak calmly, despite feeling nervous.

Why is slowing exhales more effective than simply taking a deep breath when nervous?

Slowing your exhales reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in your body, which helps calm your nervous system. This also slows your speech, making it more controlled and deliberate.

What does 'stick your landings' mean in the context of speaking, and how can it reduce filler words?

'Stick your landings' means embracing silence and avoiding filler words like 'uh' or 'um.' By timing your inhales after making a point, you prevent yourself from using fillers and convey confidence.

What is meant by 'dare to be dull,' and how does this mindset help in impromptu speaking situations?

'Dare to be dull' encourages speakers to let go of the pressure to be perfect or say something profound. By allowing themselves to say something simple and straightforward, they become more authentic and relaxed, which often results in better communication.

How does the 'what, so what, now what' structure help in impromptu speaking?

The 'what, so what, now what' structure provides a clear, logical format for impromptu speaking by first discussing an idea (what), explaining its importance (so what), and suggesting next steps (now what). This makes it easier to think on your feet and communicate clearly.

Can you give an example of how the 'what, so what, now what' structure might be used in a business meeting?

In a business meeting, someone could say, 'Our monthly report shows that sales have dropped by 15% (what). If this continues, we may have to lay off staff (so what). To prevent this, I propose launching a new marketing campaign (now what).'

Why is it important to manage expectations about speaking perfectly in high-pressure situations?

Striving to speak perfectly increases anxiety, which can disrupt communication. Accepting that it's okay to be 'dull' helps reduce self-criticism and allows for more authentic and effective communication.

What is the role of breathing in controlling speech pace, according to Matt Abrahams?

Breathing plays a key role in speech control. Slowing your breath also slows your speech, making it more deliberate and less rushed, which improves clarity and confidence.

How does practicing the 'what, so what, now what' structure help improve impromptu speaking skills?

By regularly practicing the 'what, so what, now what' structure after consuming information, such as listening to a podcast or reading an article, you train your mind to quickly organize thoughts, making it easier to respond effectively in impromptu speaking situations.