Raele Altano shows how starting with "I think" weakens what you say. Try "I'm confident that" or "research shows" instead, or skip the intro and state your opinion directly. Practice in low-stakes moments first.
Okay, picture this. Someone asks you for your opinion on something or for your feedback, and you're so well prepared, you know exactly what you want to say, but you always default to starting your sentence with, well, I think, or I believe, and you feel like it kind of takes away from your message or what you're trying to convey. Sound familiar? Sometimes these phrases can signal uncertainty and undermine your credibility. So here are some alternatives you can use to replace the I think or I believe and really take up space and be the authority in whatever you're talking about. I'm confident that, or I'm confident we, I'd suggest, I'd recommend, research shows, the data proves that. Ooh, I like that one. Or just skip the intro altogether and come out with whatever you want to say. I know, I know it can be difficult to make that tweak and cut out that filler, but that's what practice is for. Practice answering something that someone would want your opinion on and make it a two-part exercise. First, replace it with one of the alternatives here. And second, try omitting the intro altogether and just coming out with what you want to say. And see how that works for you. You have nothing to lose when you practice on your own time before you really face the moment in real time. I'm Well With Raele, here to help with your speaking skills and social confidence, and as always, I hope this was helpful.
