TÍTULO TERCERO IMPUESTO DE SELLOS

The first common speech mistake is low volume. The obvious reason why this is undesirable is that people simply can’t hear you. However, projecting your voice out loud shows a great deal of confidence. If you’re a person that doesn’t project their voice sufficiently, there are exercises that you can do to remedy. For the following few exercises, you will need a mirror and a tape recorder (if you do not have a tape recorder you can use the microphone on your computer). Start the recorder and say the following sentence…

“From now on, I will constantly strive to speak loudly.”

While you’re saying this statement, look in the mirror? How do you look? Does it seem like you’re physically struggling to get the words out? How’s your body language while you’re saying it? Realistically, you should get a friend to help you assess these problems if they are occurring. Say it two more times. Each time you say the sentence, take a few steps away from the microphone, each time increasing your volume. Do not scream, though! Screaming is not the objective of the exercise. If you feel like you’re shouting, smile! Volume is relative to the amount of air exiting your mouth. You don’t have to put any significant amount of stress on your muscles. Make it seem natural. Finally, listen to your recording and assess whether it is easy to listen to. Repeat this exercise. Do it once a day.

171

The second common speech problem is talking speed. Speaking quickly is not only too hard to understand, but it also makes you seem nervous and make your statements sound trivial. For this exercise, you still need your mirror and your microphone. Start recording and say the following line…

“I will speak slowly and clearly from now on. I will no longer bunch my words together and slur them. I will still continue to speak loud and clear.”

When saying these statements, pronounce each and every syllable fully. Take an unusually long pause in between each and every word. This will seem unnatural at first but it is supposed to. Repeat these statements two more times. Each time you do it, shorten the pause slightly until it begins to sound natural. Again, get a friend to help you out with this. Don’t forget to look in the mirror while you do this and keep your body language in check – don’t forget that posture and stance can have an effect on your speech. Listen to your recording and assess whether it sounds natural or not.

The third common speech problem is…umm…uhhh…it’s…hmm…”brain farts!” I can personally admit that I sometimes do have this problem! It’s probably the most common speech problem people have. This is also probably the most difficult of all the speech problems to remedy, but it is possible. It is simple to suggest that to help, you should just think before you talk. However, there is an exercise that you can do to help you combat this, although it is very difficult. It also may seem to be counter-intuitive to do this exercise as well, but I assure you they work. You may need a tape recorder for this exercise. You will need to record a 10 minute conversation with your friend. Play it back

172

with a pen and paper handy. You are going to write down all the brain farts you get in that 10 minute conversation. When you are finished, say all of these so-called “brain farts” out loud and try to memorize them. By doing this, you will much more conscious of using them the next time you have a conversation.

The fourth speech problem is the lack of voice modulation. Obviously speaking in a monotone voice is not an attractive way to communicate. If you listen to good speakers such as comedians, talk-show hosts, and the odd politician, you will notice that they constantly vary the sound of their voices to keep things interesting. A great way to practice this is to simply turn on the television and mimic your favourite talk-show host. Another great way to improve your voice modulation is to practice telling children’s stories. This may seem ridiculous at first, but reading children’s stories to children is a great way to discover what voice modulations work for you – be creative with your voice intonation and your volume. Try and imitate the characters in the stories.

The last common speech mistake ties in with the fourth problem – making

definitive statements. I want you to read this sentence out loud as if you were genuinely saying it.

“Let’s go get some ice cream?”

Notice at the end of the statement, you tone changes to indicate that the statement was a question. Now read this sentence out loud as if you were actually saying it.

173

“Let’s go get some ice cream.”

Notice that the change in tone at the end of the statement is unlike the question. This is a definitive statement. Especially as a man, you need to be making definitive statements all the time. By doing so, you will seem more like a leader and not a wuss. The best exercise to improve definitive statement-making is to simply convince your friend to do small things while taking note of your tonality. Convince him or her to trying something new at a restaurant. Instead of saying something like…

“Why don’t you try the cordon bleu?”

Say something like…

“Try the cordon bleu this time. It’s amazing.”

Learn to put the figurative “down-stroke” on your statements. Sounds like you know what you’re doing and you mean it!

These are some of the most common speech errors people make. However, it is needless to say that there are many more. Just simply ask a friend how you sound like when you’re speaking. Have them suggest something that could be better. There’s usually always something that can be improved – we all don’t have perfect voices but we can perfect what we do have!

174