cash power: elevate your eloquence

Want to supercharge your life?  Supercharge your speech.  Your verbal communication skills (or lack thereof) are one of the most profound aspects of how you’re perceived.  There’s power in perception.  Perception is reality.  Improving how you talk should be at the top of your to-do list.
First step?

Be.  More.  Eloquent.

It’s easier than you think. Contrary to popular belief, eloquence has nothing to do with big words and an expansive vocabulary.  It has everything to do with how your words hit the ears (or eyes, if you’re writing) of your audience.  It’s not about speaking smartly, it’s about speaking smoothly.  Confidently.  Without long pauses and awkward ‘filler’ words (uh, um, er, etc.).  One of the best orators of our generation, Barack Obama, still has occasional problems with this.  And he has a teleprompter. Listen closely to his speeches.  There’s a lot of painful pauses, and plenty of ‘uuuuuh’s’ to go around.  They’re distracting.  Unnecessary.  Easy enough to overcome.

True eloquence comes from an ability to see the future.  Or the teleprompter.  In either case, it’s about knowing what you’re about to say… a few sentences before you say it.  If you deviate from your script, or don’t have one to begin with?  Hesitations, stammering, and the waning attention of your listener, ahoy.

A great way to improve?  Comes with a side of sour cream.

The next time you’re at Chipotle (or Subway, or Quiznos, or any restaurant where you customize your meal) pay close attention to your interactions with the person working there.

If you’re like most people, it sounds a lot like this:

Chipotle Employee: Good afternoon sir, what can I make you?

You: Er, um, hmmmm, how about a chicken burrito

Chipotle Employee: What kind of beans with that?

You: Oh, hmm, well, uh, pinto.  Yeah, pinto.

Chipotle Employee:  Salsa?

You: Greeen, no, er, uh, which one’s hot?

Chipotle Employee: Red

You: Aaaaah, green!

And so on and so forth.  If you don’t see how ridiculous / mildly retarded that exchange sounds, read it aloud.  Or just listen to the five people in front of you the next time you’re there.  Eyes, prepare to roll.

Don’t let this be you.  Anymore.

My simply looking one item ahead, and committing to your choice mentally before you’re tasked with confirming it verbally, you come across as someone who knows what they want out of life.   And salsa.

Confident, eloquent and aware.

Chipotle Employee:  Good afternoon sir, what can I make you?

You: Chicken burrito, please.

Chipotle Employee:  What kind of beans with that?

You: Pinto beans.

Chipotle Employee:  Salsa?

You: Green.

Chipotle Employee (smiling at the smartest customer she’s seen all day):  Yes sir!  Enjoy your lunch.

You: I intend to.  Thanks.

Eloquence, increased.

Perceptions, improved.

Guacamole, devoured.

Not bad for a lunchtime’s work.