The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.  
– Albert Einstein

Do you feel like time is standing still when everyone is staring at you, or does time fly faster than you can think? You can refine
your timing by pausing, breathing, and focusing.

The moment you start to speak there is a lot happening.  Mentally, you are gathering your thoughts or wondering where they went.  Physically, you are positioning yourself or trying to prevent your hands from shaking. Emotionally, your are sensing the connection with your audience or fearing their rejection. Focusing on normally unconscious acts distorts your timing.

Your sense of time is acute when you feel uncomfortable. Your discomfort  increases the more you focus on it.  Take the focus off yourself and place it on your listeners.  Before you begin speaking, decide what you want your audience to feel. Then
focus your words and expressions to enhance that emotion.

Breathing establishes your emotional tempo. Your breathing rate effects your feelings and your perception of time. Quick and shallow breathing makes you feel like time is flying, while your public experiences your message as, um…  quick and shallow.  When you connect with your crowd, they will literally breath with you.  Breathing space lets you and your audience enjoy the
emotions in your message.

Pausing comes across as thoughtfulness to your audience. It feels like an eternity the first time you pause, especially if you
really forgot what to say next. The more often you practice pausing the less awkward it feels. Pauses improve your timing.

Pausing, breathing and focusing connects you, your message and your audience. With a refined feel for time, you can make it
happen all at once, every time.