Toastmasters

My 10th Speech, Toastmasters

This is my tenth speech in Toastmasters. In Toastmasters, after the tenth speech, the toastmaster earns the "Competent Communicator" award. For me, I feel Competent Communicator is a bit of an oxymoron. I might communicate, but I certainly don't feel competent.

I have come a long way in my time with Toastmasters. It has helped me grow as a person outside of the Toastmaster experience. What I love about Toastmasters is those who attend, want to make the most out of their lives and become better people. I respect my fellow Toastmasters.

Toastmaster's Speech

Sometimes we can't help being depressed. I was feeling that way today.

I had to give a speech for Toastmasters and I didn't think it would be any good. And the last thing I want to do is waste others' time.

This is the 4th speech I gave since joining Toastmasters. And there is a saying: Stage time, stage time and stage time. In other words, get up and speak.

So while I didn't know if my speech would be any good, in fact I was fearing a meltdown, it turned out that my speech was well liked. The topic was "New England". My wife, dog and I just spent our vacation there and enjoyed its tremendous beauty.

What I was able to accomplish in this speech is making eye contact. I'm sure I could have done better, but I spent time looking at an audience member in the eye, and then going on to another person. I had been critiqued before that that was one of my shortcomings.

Also, I said a few "ahs" and I said the same word twice four times. I wasn't even aware that that was a fault, and now I can take notice of it when I speak.

I wish that I had learned how to speak in front of people earlier in my life, but I'm ok that I'm just learning now. Sometimes I think it takes growth of experience, just to be able to speak in front of others.

Toastmasters is a good way to learn to speak in front of others. The group is supportive. I feel bad sometimes because when this one person is speaking I can't help laughing. I wish I wouldn't laugh but sometimes I just can't help it. I'm the kind of guy that starts to laugh at funerals, that's why I always try to sit next to an exit.

I hope that I could learn to be a dynamic speaker. There are certainly topics that I'm passionate about, and I would love to share this stuff with other people. It's public speakers who I respect most, probably because I so lack the skills in my own life. But as I give more speeches, I'll learn. Today, I actually felt comfortable in front of everyone, and I was able to slow down. And I did a little thinking on my feet that was not in the speech.