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As part of Toastmasters, I attempted my first three table topics in different clubs. But each of my attempts had two things in similar- first I did not manage to reach the one minute limit and two the content was nowhere related to the topic asked. When I attempted my fourth table topic, I had only one mission – I wanted to speak for one minute. Next time I was asked the question ‘Do you believe in ghosts?’. And all I wanted to answer was no. But since this time I had promised to myself that I would speak for no less than a minute, I concocted some childhood story and still when the timer would not show me the green card, I talked about some horror movies which was easy for me because it was Halloween just last week. Finally the much awaited green card was flashed and I heaved a sigh of relief. I had successfully completed my challenge.
Challenging oneself is one of the many things that you learn in toastmasters. When I joined toastmasters in May, I joined it to improve my public speaking skills. But soon I realised I had learnt a lot more than that. And today as I speak about those things, I am sure that the toastmasters here will identify with at least a few of them.
Speaking about table topics, if you also face the challenge of speaking for one minute here are two tips – you can repeat the topic once or twice to yourself and You can spend a few seconds thinking or you can waste your time greeting the audience.
So in a way toastmasters also teaches you time management. You can never speak less than the stipulated time and you can never go beyond the time. You will not believe how many times I have won the best speaker ribbon because the other speakers timed out – 4! And for every speech, all I am waiting for is the green card. Sometimes I even wonder, has the timer gone to sleep? Today as you will soon realise I am speaking slower than usual, with pauses in between because I am low on content. This is a part of time management skill that I have learnt.
It also makes you over punctual. Our toastmasters sessions happen from 9:30 every Friday morning. I want to make sure that I reach the venue by 8 . Why? Because the only two things that happen on time in Mumbai are the toastmasters sessions and rains. Whenever we have a session, chances are that it will rain and then all the transportation will be brought down. So I have only two options. One is to leave the house as the first sunrays appear or to sleep in the office the night before.
As part of the toastmasters you meet people who are multi-talented. People who draw, paint, write, run marathons etc. Meeting such multi-talented people helps you evolve more as a human being.
Toastmasters teaches you not to be selfish. You will always come across people in your club meetings, who will never ever attempt a table topic. And when you question them about it, they will reply that it’s not because they are scared, its because they want to give others a chance to improve their impromptu speaking skills.
When you are in toastmasters, you will face unexpected things. Trust me there will come a day when your evaluator will speak longer than your speech especially if your evaluator. Being a part of the toastmasters helps you prepare for such uncertainties.
In toastmasters, you will always come across positive people. They will always say that the glass is half full. If you come on the stage and forget your speech they will applaud you because you had the courage to come on stage. If you manage to finish your speech they will write you a sweet evaluation.
Coming to evaluators, this is probably the most important skill needed, when companies are laying off so many people. The trick here is to praise the person first on all the things that he has done right and then drop then gently drop the bomb on him, on what he could have done right.
In toastmasters you learn to deal with confusion. When I was first evaluated I was told that I should make use of the stage that has been presented to me. ‘ the stage is huge. Use it’ my evaluator quipped. When I gave my second speech, I roamed around the stage. This time though I was told I should stand at one place because it’s too distracting to the audience. So, today as I stand before you I will move and I will not move and lets see what the evaluator has to tell me.
So all in all, these past six months has been quite an educative journey for me and I look forward to learning more such things during my journey as a toastmaster.
If you want to learn more about Toastmasters, make sure you read this.
