Give me 14 minutes and I'll help you think & speak faster

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares effective techniques for improving both speech speed and thinking agility. To speak faster with clarity, he recommends practicing tongue twisters, timing speech exercises, and mastering breath control. For thinking quicker, the key is deep understanding, using frameworks for structuring responses, and reducing stress through breathing exercises. These methods have helped the speaker and his students enhance their communication skills, making them faster and more effective in real-time conversations while maintaining clarity and coherence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Improve your speech speed by enhancing your articulation through tongue twisters. They help develop muscle strength in the tongue and lips, allowing you to speak more quickly and clearly.
• 😀 Practice reading a 300-word story in one minute to track your speech rate and gradually increase your words per minute by 10 each time. This helps improve your speech speed over time.
• 😀 Focus on breath control to avoid speaking too breathily, which can slow you down. Proper breath support allows for more efficient speaking without needing to take frequent pauses for breath.
• 😀 Practice diaphragmatic breathing to manage anxiety and improve clarity of thought. This helps in staying calm and speaking more clearly, especially in high-pressure situations.
• 😀 Use the '321 Framework' to quickly and effectively answer complex questions. This framework involves giving a simple answer with three steps, two types, or one thing, depending on the situation.
• 😀 When you fully understand a topic, you don’t need to rely on memory. A deeper understanding enables faster, more accurate thinking and speaking, especially in professional or expert settings.
• 😀 Practice vocal exercises like counting with controlled breath to improve your breath control and energy in speech, preventing vocal fry and strain.
• 😀 Reduce anxiety and stress before speaking by preparing with breathing exercises like box breathing, which helps clear your mind and enables quicker thinking.
• 😀 Develop self-awareness to identify non-functional behaviors that may hinder your communication. Recording yourself and reviewing can help you become more conscious of how you speak and improve over time.
• 😀 Focus on continuous improvement rather than trying to give perfect answers right away. If someone asks a broad question, using the 321 framework helps you offer concise, clear responses without overwhelming the listener.

Q & A

What are the key exercises to improve your ability to think and speak faster?

The key exercises include practicing tongue twisters to enhance articulation, reading a 300-word story and gradually increasing your speech rate, and improving breath control to avoid expelling too much air per word.

How do tongue twisters help in speaking faster?

Tongue twisters improve articulation and muscle strength in the lips and tongue. By practicing them repeatedly and speeding up each time, you learn the efficient movements required for clearer and faster speech.

Why is improving articulation important for speaking faster?

Improving articulation ensures clarity in speech. Without good articulation, speaking quickly can result in mumbling or incomprehensible speech, which defeats the purpose of speaking faster.

How can I measure my progress in speaking faster?

You can measure progress by reading a 300-word story, timing yourself, and counting the words you read within a minute. Then, aim to increase your word count gradually, targeting an increase of 10 words per attempt.

What role does breath control play in speaking faster?

Breath control helps maintain a steady flow of speech without excessive breathiness. Efficient breath support allows you to speak for longer periods without taking frequent breaths, thus enhancing speech speed and clarity.

How can I practice better breath control?

You can practice breath control by taking a deep breath and making an 'S' sound for as long as you can to mimic good breath support. Additionally, practice counting in a controlled manner to energize each number with the right amount of breath.

What is the 321 framework for answering questions quickly?

The 321 framework is a method for structuring your response by focusing on three steps, two types, or one key point. It helps in delivering concise answers without overwhelming the listener with too much information.

How does seeking to understand rather than memorize contribute to faster thinking?

When you deeply understand a subject, you don’t have to recall information from memory. This enables you to think and respond more quickly because you're relying on your understanding rather than retrieving facts.

Why is self-awareness important in communication?

Self-awareness helps you identify and correct non-functional behaviors that may hinder effective communication. It's a key component in improving how you communicate and ensuring clarity and engagement.

How can anxiety and stress affect my ability to think quickly?

Anxiety and stress can impair clear thinking by clouding your judgment and slowing down cognitive processes. Practicing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing can help reduce anxiety and improve clarity in thinking.