How to Stop Talking So Fast: Practical Voice Coach Strategies
If you’ve ever searched “how do I stop talking so fast?” and felt overwhelmed by quick fixes and contradictory advice, you’re not alone. As a former fast-talker turned professional voice coach, I’ve explored the deeper causes behind rapid speech and developed realistic, sustainable methods to help people speak with clarity, control, and ease.
Should You Even Slow Down?
Before you try to change your speech, it’s worth asking: Is speaking fast really a problem?
Fast speech can be:
A sign of nervousness
A result of needing to compete for airtime
An indicator that your thoughts are racing ahead of your speech
According to journalist Theresa Fisher, there’s a distinction between Exceptionally Rapid Speech (ERS) and Cluttering. ERS might even be a skill linked to reading speed and verbal memory. Cluttering, by contrast, involves disorganised delivery—filler words, erratic pauses, and confusing intonation.
Other research suggests fast talking can persuade sceptical audiences, while slow speech is more effective with sympathetic listeners. So the real skill may be the ability to switch gears consciously.
Key takeaway: You don’t need to erase your fast pace—just gain control over it.
Why Telling Yourself to Slow Down Doesn’t Work
Slowing down in spontaneous speech is harder than it sounds. That’s because your brain is juggling multiple tasks: choosing words, tracking listener feedback, monitoring the environment—and if nervousness kicks in, your fight-or-flight response takes over.
You need to build the habit away from live conversation, so it becomes second nature.
Rule of thumb: Build slow, intentional speech in practice, then apply it when needed.
What Doesn’t Always Work
Some of the commonly shared advice is either too simplistic or impractical:
“Pause every 6–8 words” – doesn’t address speed within each chunk
“Open your jaw more” – can increase tension or feel unnatural
“Stretch all vowels” – risks sounding artificial unless you understand vowel length properly
That said, there are a few promising exercises that do help:
Chunking phrases with breath and clarity
Awareness of consonant precision
Repetition and pause variation
Let’s explore some of my go-to strategies.
3 Voice Coach Exercises to Reduce Fast Talking
1. The ‘Hum’ Exercise – Develop Spatial Awareness Between Words
This method helps you experience the rhythm and spacing of connected speech.
Step-by-step:
Take any short passage and speak it aloud, humming "mmm" between each word.
While doing this, articulate each consonant with clarity, particularly those at the ends of words.
Now, speak again—removing the hum but leaving a brief pause between words.
Next, halve the pauses but keep the consonant precision.
Finally, speak normally, but with full awareness of each word’s boundaries.
Goal: Make your speech feel deliberate rather than rushed.
2. Ask: Is It a Fact? – Interrogate Unhelpful Assumptions
Many fast talkers are driven by self-criticism or assumptions about how they’re being perceived.
Try this:
Notice a thought like, “They’re bored”
Ask, “Is that a fact?”
If unsure, name the uncertainty: “I don’t know what they’re thinking”
Sometimes, even checking in aloud (e.g., “You seem unsettled—is everything okay?”) helps reframe the moment and regain control.
Goal: Interrupt mental spirals that trigger rushed speech.
3. Small Slices of Cake, Please – Deliver Digestible Chunks
Think of your message as a rich dessert: if you serve a huge slab, it's overwhelming. If you portion it into bite-sized slices, it’s easier to take in.
How to practice:
Choose a paragraph.
Underline key words that carry meaning.
Use slashes to divide the passage into short, one-keyword phrases.
Read aloud, pausing at each slash and emphasising the underlined word.
This exercise improves clarity, pacing, and emphasis—even if your pace stays quick.
Goal: Help your listener follow what matters, even if you speak fast.
Beyond Exercises: The Psychology of Pace
Whilst the eye contact and body language of your listener can guide your rhythm, remember:
Don’t over-interpret your listener’s behaviour
People may seem restless for reasons unrelated to you
Check your assumptions generously
In my coaching, shifting a client’s internal narrative often does more for their speech than any drill. Confidence, curiosity, and presence are just as powerful as technique.
Reframe fast talking not as a flaw, but as a pattern that can be refined.
Free Resource
Want structured support? Download my FREE guide: How to Slow Down If You Speak Too Fast — packed with practical exercises and mindset strategies.
Or click here to enquire about coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fast talking always bad?
Not necessarily. It can show enthusiasm or intelligence. It only becomes a problem if it hinders understanding.
Can you change your speaking speed permanently?
Yes—with awareness and consistent practice, you can shift your natural rhythm.
Is speaking fast a sign of anxiety?
Sometimes. But it can also be a habit, a learned behaviour, or part of your natural style.
How long does it take to speak slower?
Change varies, but most people see progress in 4–8 weeks of regular practice.
Final Thoughts
Rather than eliminating your fast speech, learn to control and shape it. With the right mindset and exercises, you can become a more confident, clear, and compelling communicator.
Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with 18+ years of experience helping professionals and individuals develop clear, authentic, and confident communication.