How to Avoid Being a Time Gobbler
How to Avoid Being a Time Gobbler -> Have you ever been in the audience when a speaker runs long, pushing the entire program behind schedule? Or maybe you’ve been on stage yourself, caught up in the moment, only to realize you’ve gone well past your allotted time.
That’s what I call being a Time Gobbler—and I know the feeling because I was one.
Early in my speaking career, I gave a keynote that was supposed to last 50 minutes. But the evening started late, dinner service dragged on, and by the time I got on stage, the whole event was already behind schedule. Instead of adjusting, I kept going. I added extra quips, stories, and points until I had spoken for a full hour.
When I finally caught sight of my anxious host giving me the “wrap it up” sign from the back of the room, I ended my talk in a clumsy rush. The event ran even later, and my host was not impressed. That night, I learned a hard but valuable lesson: no matter the circumstances, it’s my responsibility as the speaker to finish on time.
What is a Time Gobbler?
A Time Gobbler is someone who exceeds their allotted time—whether it’s in a keynote, a meeting, or even a casual conversation. The problem is that speaking too long doesn’t just affect you. It steals time from your host, the next speaker, and most importantly, the audience.
Often, Time Gobblers don’t mean to go long. They simply lose track of time or feel like they can’t cut their material. But intentional or not, it can leave a negative impression.
The good news? With preparation and awareness, you can avoid becoming a Time Gobbler.
4 Ways to Avoid Being a Time Gobbler
1. Be responsible and professional
If you’ve been given 20 minutes, stick to 20 minutes—or better yet, plan for 15 to give yourself breathing room. If the event is running late, ask your host if they’d prefer you to shorten your talk. Respecting the schedule is a mark of professionalism.
2. Use timekeepers and tools
Rehearse with a stopwatch so you know exactly how long your material runs. During your talk, keep an eye on the clock, or ask someone to give you a discreet 5-minute warning. Knowing your real start and end time helps you pace yourself.
3. Prioritize essentials over extras
Not everything in your talk is mission-critical. If you’re short on time, keep your opening and closing, and trim less important sections. You can always share extra material afterward as a PDF, video, or handout.
4. Don’t justify going over
Even if the event is late or the speaker before you ran long, that doesn’t give you permission to do the same. Two wrongs don’t make a right—your job is to reset the clock, not add to the problem.
Respecting Time Builds Trust
Staying within your time limit shows respect for your host, your fellow speakers, and your audience. It signals that you’re professional, prepared, and mindful. And ironically, ending on time often makes your message more powerful—it leaves people wanting more instead of checking their watches.
If you want to elevate your ability to give a talk, make a speech, or pitch your service with precision, heart, and impact, let’s connect. Together, we can make sure your message lands—and does so on time.
👉 If you want to experience the power of live group training, join me for a 2-Day Deep Dive Presentation Skills Workshop on October 25–26, 2025. Click here to learn more.
Or, if you’d like to bring customized, in-house training in Presentation Skills, Storytelling, or Communication Skills to your team, click here.
📘 P.S. Buy Eleni’s book, Charismatic Presence: Five Principles for Magnetic Presentations
Follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenikelakos/
Eleni Kelakos, CSP The Speaker Whisperer®