How to Keep From Getting Tongue Tied

Getting tongue tied often happens at the least opportune moments, during the big interview, on a first date, in the presence of a traffic cop. However, there are ways to tweak your speech and turn your sputtering words into eloquent sentences.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Slow down. When we get excited, nervous, scared or intimidated, it's easy to lose our heads and start babbling. When you notice your words racing, stop, collect yourself and then continue speaking slowly and distinctly.
2. Relax. Take a deep breath through your nose, and then exhale through your mouth. Release the tension from your neck and shoulders. Let your heart rate return to normal.
3. Know your game plan. Don't enter any important conversation without knowing your goals and how you hope to achieve them and supporting. Have your supporting arguments and evidence ready to get your point across.
4. Organize your thoughts. Identify the main points and make sure you hit each one. It's easier to say what you want to say when you can file them away in your brain in some kind of loose order rather than dumping all your thoughts out at once.
5. Stick to the point. Say whatever it is you need to say, and then end it. The more you try to reinforce your points through repetition, the weaker and more awkward your statements become.

Tips & Warnings

• If the situation allows for it, use note cards to keep yourself on track.