Matt Abrahams

I just need a moment to think.

I'll just pause and I'll ask my students a question.

They think that's logical.

Anybody can come up with a question.

If you ever hear me, anybody listening, if you ever hear me say, I want to pause for a moment and have you think about how what we've just discussed can be applied to your life.

That means I have forgotten what I want to say next.

In my mind, what the heck do I say next?

Most of the people in my audience are like, how would I apply that in my life?

That's great.

It gives me that fraction of a second, gives me that sense of control.

Most of us can leverage a question to buy us that time.

So let's not say, oh my goodness, I've forgotten.

It's the worst thing ever.

I get passionate.

Sometimes I get ahead of myself.

Give me a moment.

Or just ask a question.

It's similar to, I advise people who are nervous speakers never to say, oh, excuse me, I'm so nervous.

A lot of people try to pre-apologize for their nervousness, and all they do is prime us to pay attention to everything they do that's nervous.

So let's not call attention to the mistakes we make.