Because I was the Ah Champion of my Toastmasters club when I first joined in 1991, I've been asked many times, "How can I reduce my ahs, ums and other filler words?"
First, I explained that many people use filler words thus, if you are surrounded by these people, the ahs and ums are not as noticeable to others simply because they are used to hearing filler words. I've heard a District Attorney, elected to office and having spoken to many, many groups have over 100 ahs and ums in the first 5 minutes of a 20 min. presentation. I've seen a criminal attorney asking the judge to reduce the bail for his two clients with multiple ahs and ums. Additionally, he was pacing back and forth and his eyes were focused on the floor rather than making eye contact with the judge. In actuality, the use of filler words may be due to a lack of confidence, inability to think on our feet, etc.
Before continuing, I don't mind
