As a member of Biltmore Toastmasters, I have the privilege each week of practicing presentation skills. Communication is not just about the one way delivery that is often the message presented about Toastmasters. Communication is about connecting with others in a meaningful dialogue that actually produces change. In that vein, today's post is about getting rid of fillers. 

Fillers are the speed bumps and pot holes on the highway of communcation. A filler word is speed bump or pot hole like an um, ah, so, and so, but, for, double clutch, or pause that slows down or distracts our communication. No matter whether the setting is a dyad, a roomful, or a stadium sized crowd, fillers slow the connection in communication. 

At Toastmasters, we use a little clicker that makes quite a loud noise. A functionary role called an Ah-counter clicks when they hear someone hit one of these speed bumps or pot holes. The click is a reminder for the speaker to be aware of their particular filler words and work on removing them from the highway of communication. 

This week, work on ridding yourself of filler words and if you want more practice in a nurturing environment find a Toastmasters group to help you along the way.