Someone asked me how to be more well spoken. Being well spoken is not a performance—it’s actually an understanding of what you think. In order to know what you think, you need to read a lot, reflect on experiences, and you need to write.
The Foundation: Write, Reflect, and Clarify
I’m an avid journaler. I’m constantly reflecting on my experiences, reflecting on the things I’ve learned. I’m getting clarity on what I value, what I think, and what I feel. Because I’ve already developed that clarity in my own time, when someone asks me a question or I need to talk about a certain topic, I already know what I feel and what I think. That allows me to communicate more smoothly and effectively.
Develop the Habit of Writing
If you can get into a constant habit of writing out your thoughts, it doesn’t need to be articulate, it doesn’t need to be pretty, it doesn’t even need to make sense. You just need to reflect on your experiences and uncover what you think. Engage in a consistent process of developing your thoughts.
Evolve Your Thinking
I constantly evolve. I’m constantly changing what I think, adding more nuance, adding different perspectives and experiences. Having a level of intellectual humility allows you to be a better speaker and communicator because your perspective is always open to more information. Your language becomes nuanced and your takes become multi-layered.
Practice Through Speaking
If you don’t like journaling, another thing you can do is just talk. Record yourself speaking about anything—what you’re learning, what you’re currently obsessed with, your feelings on a certain topic. This is a way to practice putting your thoughts into words in a low-stakes environment.
Prioritize Simple Language
It can help to read and widen your vocabulary, but it’s not about using big words. Prioritize simple language. Unnecessary jargon just makes it difficult for other people to understand you. The sign of truly understanding a topic is being able to explain it simply to someone who’s never heard of it.
Diversify Your Input
Reading can be books, Substack articles, podcasts, YouTube—anything that helps you understand things in depth and from multiple perspectives. You don’t need to force yourself into topics you’re not interested in. Focus on what naturally draws your attention.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
Let yourself stumble and practice. Being well spoken is about connecting with what you say on a heart level and having an understanding of yourself—your ideas, your experiences, your feelings—and being able to articulate that with an energy of confidence and clarity.
