Being a clear communicator is a powerful social skill. Not only does it build relationships, but it also creates authentic connections.

But in high-pressure situations, confident speaking can start to crumble. We’ve all been there. For example, when talking to your boss or even on a first date.

It’s easy to start rambling and jumbling your words. To prevent this, communication expert Vinh Giang shares a clever 3-2-1 speaking trick that can help anyone slow down and communicate clearly and concisely when it matters most.

What is the 3-2-1 speaking trick?

According to Giang, it starts with training your brain for moments when you feel put on the spot.

“When someone asks you a question and you’re not prepared, what happens? Your brain hits the panic button,” he says in a YouTube video.

As you struggle to verbalize your thoughts, you may start to ramble, which Giang notes, can lead to frustration and embarrassment. To avoid feeling flustered, he offers a 3-2-1 framework to keep in mind when speaking off the cuff.

“Without a communication framework to fall back on, your mind goes blank,” he explains.

@askvinh These 5 speaking tips will force you to stop rambling! Most people ramble because they’re thinking out loud instead of thinking first. Here’s how to fix it: 1. Pause after important points Give your audience time to process. Silence creates clarity and makes your message land harder. 2. Finish your sentences Stop starting new thoughts before completing the previous one. This is where most rambling begins. 3. The six-year-old test If you can’t explain your idea simply, you don’t understand........

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