The Speed of Thought

When Words Get Ahead of You

If you’re anything like me, you probably know all too well what it feels like to get ahead of your words—to speak as if your foot is on the accelerator with no clue how to access the brake.

Whether it’s nerves, excitement, or something deeper under the surface, cluttered speech can take many forms:

• Rambling

• Circuitous explanations

• Filler words

• Cutting off one thought to chase another

The Momentum Problem

“Once the engine of communication is running, there’s no turning it off.”

That’s why cluttering isn’t always preventable. In fact, we’re most susceptible to it mid-conversation—when old habits creep in, we lose our thread, or we rush to finish a story only to realize we’ve forgotten the point.

For some, that level of verbal handling feels completely out of reach. Others don’t even realize they’re hitting any bumps at all.

So—what does it take to find a way of communicating that feels both free and intentional?

The Simplest Shift: Take. More. Time.

“Speed often works against us when we speak.”

Slowing down may sound obvious, but it’s powerful.

Research shows that as our speech rate increases, the rate of successful communication drops.

And that’s worth pausing on—especially when we remember that speaking isn’t just about getting through our ideas.At its best, it’s about engaging and connecting.

Slowing Down ≠ Losing Energy

“Slowing down doesn’t mean sacrificing energy or enthusiasm.”

It means giving yourself space:

• To arrive at the heart of what you want to say

• To consider what truly needs to come next

• To think, to feel, and to listen

The more we practice this subtle shift in pacing, the more clarity, ease, and presence we bring to every interaction.

Ease Off the Gas

So the next time your engine revs up, don’t slam on the brakes—just ease off the gas.  You might be surprised how far that takes you.