How do I organize my thoughts quickly before I speak?
How do I organize my thoughts quickly before I speak?
Jan 13, 2026
Many professionals have great ideas, but struggle to translate them into the right words.
Thinking is sharp, nuanced, and fast-moving. But when asked to speak on the spot, everything feels scrambled.
What was clear a moment ago is coming out disorganized. Words arrive in the wrong order. The point gets lost.
Been there done that...
What’s Actually Happening
Inside your head, thoughts don’t need order.
They can overlap. Jump. Loop back. Skip steps. Your brain fills in the gaps instantly because it already understands the context.
Speaking is different.
The moment you speak, your thinking has to become linear. One idea at a time. In sequence, for someone else to understand through their own thinking clutter.
That translation process uses working memory. And working memory has limits.
Research shows that when people are under time pressure or social evaluation, working memory capacity drops. The brain reallocates resources toward self-monitoring and threat detection, leaving fewer for organizing and articulating ideas clearly (Baddeley, 2003; Dickerson & Kemeny, 2004).
So when you feel rushed to respond, your thoughts aren’t gone... they’re competing.
The Common Misdiagnosis
Most people assume this means they’re bad at thinking on their feet.
“I just need more time.”
“I’m better at writing.”
“I should’ve prepared more.”
So they overprepare. Or they stay quiet. Or they wait until their thoughts feel perfectly formed before speaking.
But the issue isn’t intelligence or preparation.
It’s that no one taught you how to organize your thinking fast enough to speak.
The Reframe
Clear speaking doesn’t require faster thinking. It requires SLOWER thinking.
It requires fewer decisions in the moment.
When you know how you’re going to organize your thoughts before you open your mouth, pressure drops immediately. Your brain stops scrambling for structure and starts delivering ideas.
Organizing your thoughts quickly is not about finding the perfect words.
It’s about finding the next idea.
The 20-Second BLUF Flip
(Used by the U.S. Army and top consulting firms)
BLUF stands for Bottom Line Up Front; a communication technique, originating in the military, that places the core conclusion, decision, or main point at the very beginning of an email, report, or conversation. It ensures readers immediately understand the key message or point, saving time and improving clarity.
I'm not sure if it was designed for writing, but it also works when speaking.
When your brain feels messy, do this:
Step 1: One breath. Three seconds.
Say the point first, even if it feels ugly. “The main thing is ___.” Don’t make it pretty.
Step 2: Add ONE why.
“This matters because ___.”
Step 3: Add ONE example or proof.
“For example ___.”
Boom. You’re organized.
Immediate Reward (You’ll Feel This Fast)
Your nervous system relaxes because:
- You know where you’re going
- Your thoughts stop racing
- People follow you
Mess to clarity in under 20 seconds.
Why This Works
Your brain panics when there’s no structure.
BLUF forces:
- Priority first
- Logic second
- Detail last
Which is exactly how confident speakers think.
The military uses it so people don’t ramble under stress.
McKinsey famously uses it so executives don’t zone out.
Turn It Into a Daily Speaking Muscle (Fast + Fun)
In your next five conversations today, use:
Point → Why → Proof
Even for dumb stuff like a conversation with my wife.
Point:
Hey Jody Lea, I want to work on my skidoo this afternoon.
Why:
I did some work this morning, and if it snows, I really want to go for a ride with my pops.
Proof:
I set up my WhatsApp group, sent an email blast, and published a blog. I’ll play games with Isabella (daughter) tonight. I’ll even make dinner.
SILENCE.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend begging as I did.
But notice what changed.
It's speaking with purpose. You pay attention to what you say and the reactions you get. When you consistently control the reactions, the pacing, and tone of the daily conversation... it is impossible to freeze under pressure.
Practice This Today
When someone asks you a question, and you feel the urge to rush, pause for one breath.
Silently organize:
- One point
- One reason
- One example
Say the point first. If you drift, come back to it.
If you forget a phrase, good.
If you reword mid-sentence, perfect.
That’s thinking out loud with structure.
The goal isn’t speed, it’s direction.
The Broader Implication
When you can organize your thoughts quickly, something subtle changes.
You speak up.
You interrupt yourself less.
You sound calmer under pressure.
People don’t think you’re fast.
They think you’re clear.
And clarity is what builds trust, authority, and influence.
Devin Bisanz
Related Posts
- How should a speech be structured so it sounds natural, not rehearsed?
- Is it normal to feel like an imposter when you speak as a leader?
- Why do I sound clear in my head but messy when I speak?
- AI Isn’t the Threat... Declining Critical Thinking Is
Fresh off the presses, check out our brand new mini-course for aspiring speakers!!
Cited Works
This article draws on research from cognitive science and psychology examining working memory, stress under social evaluation, and motivation in performance contexts.
Baddeley, A. (2003). Working memory: Looking back and looking forward.
https://home.csulb.edu/~cwallis/382/readings/482/baddeley.pdf
Dickerson, S. S., & Kemeny, M. E. (2004). Acute stressors and cortisol responses: A theoretical integration and synthesis of laboratory research.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15122924/
Grant, A. M., & Berry, J. W. (2011). The necessity of others is the mother of invention: Intrinsic and prosocial motivations.
