Ever finish a presentation feeling that your audience didn't fully grasp your message? What could you have done to get the people hanging on your every word? Presentation coach Sims Wyeth explains how pausing throughout your speech could be the answer.

Rather than rushing through all the information as if a storm is chasing you, pause to let people catch up. Pause to let your words resonate. Pause to let people absorb your ideas. These pauses will convey the impression of composure and thoughtfulness.

As an example, / mark up your paragraphs / in this manner, / into the shortest possible phrases. / First, / whisper it, / breathing / at all the breath marks. / Then, / speak it / in the same way. / Do this / with a different paragraph / every day.

Where you pause is up to you; there are no hard and fast rules. The goal / of this exercise / is to teach your body / to slow down.