How To Not Ramble And Be Taken Seriously
Read Time: 2 Minutes
Ever notice how some people command attention the moment they start speaking, while others seem to talk themselves in circles?
The difference often comes down to a few key habits that anyone can master with the right practice. Today, I'll share a simple daily game that's helped thousands of my students speak with more authority and impact.
The Problem with Traditional Advice
Most speaking tips focus on surface-level fixes: "Just be confident!" or "Practice in front of a mirror!" But these don't address the root causes of rambling:
- Speaking before thinking
- Leaving thoughts unfinished
- Burying key points under unnecessary details
A Better Approach: The Freestyle Game
I developed this 5-minute daily practice after studying how top performers – from military leaders to freestyle rappers – organize their thoughts under pressure. Here's how it works:
- Set a timer for 5 minutes
- Pick any familiar topic
- Speak continuously with two key rules:
- No filler words (um, uh, like)
- No conjunctions (and, but, so)
Why These Rules Matter
Eliminating filler words forces you to pause and think before speaking. Avoiding conjunctions trains you to complete each thought fully before moving to the next one.
The result? You develop:
- Cleaner, more authoritative delivery
- Sharper, more organized thinking
- Greater comfort with strategic pauses
The BLUF Principle
To supercharge your practice, incorporate the military technique BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):
- State your main point first
- Support it with relevant details
- Resist the urge to meander
This creates a clear structure that keeps both you and your audience focused.
Your 7-Day Challenge
For the next week:
- Practice the Freestyle Game for 5 minutes daily
- Record yourself and count filler words/conjunctions
- Focus on completing every sentence
- Start each practice with your bottom line
If you want to practice this, try doing the Freestyle Game in my free, 7-Day Impromptu Speaking Challenge. You'll be able to identify your strengths and areas for growth.
But to become much more comfortable and confident speaking on the spot, it's important to 1) follow speaking frameworks, 2) practice with others, and 3) get personalized feedback. I built The Impromptu Speakers Academy to help people become great on-the-spot speakers. We just finished Cohort 1, and we're already getting testimonials like this.
"I gained invaluable insights from this course that will significantly impact my professional and personal life. By learning effective communication skills, I'm now empowered to articulate my ideas, showcase my worth, and position myself for future promotions. Preston is an exceptional coach, and I highly recommend the ISA to anyone seeking to enhance their communication skills and unlock their full potential." - Art K, Business Development ex-Microsoft
Join the ISA HERE.
Talk soon,
Preston
