I often talk very fast. I've had to learn to slow down. I tend to talk fast when I'm excited or anxious.

I don't have a voice that projects well, so I've also had to learn how to be heard.

These were hard skills for me to learn...it meant I'd be noticed when I talked! Yikes! But, I did learn them. I had to. Over the years, I've had to refine those skills, especially in the workplace where I'm communicating with people in other countries where English isn't their first language. I have to slow down or they can't understand me.

I've found that when I'm really taking the time to think about what I'm saying, that I speak more slowly and clearly. T can usually tell how excited or anxious I am by my talking speed. When I slow down, I'm starting to calm down and think, rather than just throwing words out there.

When I catch myself speeding up, I force myself to stop and take a deep breath and then make an effort to slow down again.