1. If you've lost your audience, get them back or stop talking. Be on the lookout for subtle indicators that your audience has gotten distracted or bored.
2. If you can, think beforehand on what you want to communicate, and how to do it in the shortest time possible that still gets the message across. Kind of like debate team, except friendlier.
3. Remember, you have 2 eyes, 2 ears and one mouth: use them in that ratio.
4. Don't "filibuster". Sometimes I have a habit of talking to fill the void or just to hold on to control until I can think of what to say next. It's a bad habit, and I cut myself off if I catch myself doing it.
Regarding 3, I've always thought that was a weak justification for listening more and speaking less. I agree with the moral, but the same logic can be applied to arrive at a number of ridiculous conclusions.
Regarding 4, Yes. Absolutely. The art of conversation is a delicate one, and I've witnessed the 'hold the reigns' phenomenon often. (I'm one of the worst offenders.) What's helped me is to imagine what my point and the supporting statements are before opening my mouth. If I know what I need to say before I start speaking, I'm less likely to ramble until I'm satisfied my point is made.
1. If you've lost your audience, get them back or stop talking. Be on the lookout for subtle indicators that your audience has gotten distracted or bored.
2. If you can, think beforehand on what you want to communicate, and how to do it in the shortest time possible that still gets the message across. Kind of like debate team, except friendlier.
3. Remember, you have 2 eyes, 2 ears and one mouth: use them in that ratio.
4. Don't "filibuster". Sometimes I have a habit of talking to fill the void or just to hold on to control until I can think of what to say next. It's a bad habit, and I cut myself off if I catch myself doing it.