I talk fast. I mean, really fast. I mumble at times, too. During a morning walk, I had a flash of introspective insight, that explains my quick tongue.
I am afraid.
I am afraid that if I don’t speak quickly enough, you will lose interest. I am afraid that if I don’t get my message out fast, you will stop listening. I am afraid that I don’t have enough time to keep your attention. So I speak fast.
Of course, if I am interesting, if I am communicating value, if I listen to you, you will listen to me. But my fear overrides that logic and I speak quickly, sometimes mumbling to keep the pace up.
The other fast talkers I have spoke with have the same feelings. Us fast talkers are a fearful group. That quick talking sales guy, that speed speaking CEO, that fast talking business partner. All have a fear for losing your attention. Weird, huh?