Toastmasters Reclaims Motivation

August 26, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

How does one go from feeling overwhelmed with a mind full of chaos, to a sense of calmness with empowering motivation? Step outside your comfort zone, play the game of life and allow Toastmasters back into your busy schedule.

My mind was feeling like a complete mess with so many work activities and commitments. I was starting to feel like that image of the calm looking duck upon the lake… with those webbed feet madly paddling beneath. At what point do we say enough is enough?

How many times in life do we question our direction and our choices? We allow ourselves to be dragged along, ensuring that we do everything that we must and somehow try to saviour a little time for yourself.

I had been crossing off events from my calendar and any activity that was not work-related got scratched. Trying to free up some space in my daily schedule. But was I crossing out the correct choices for me?

Tonight I made that decision, without planning, stepped outside my comfort zone once again. I had not attended a Toastmasters meeting for months. Thinking I needed a break and I wouldn’t miss it for a while. But what I noticed was that I was losing my confidence. That confidence that was starting to develop when speaking to a group… had started to be lost.

Nervously I jumped into Tamworth Toastmasters again tonight and I am loving the outcome. Feeling full of motivation with a feeling of complete support and friendship, I have realised that Toastmasters is what is missing in my life. I am keen to work on my next speech already.

From a morning with back pain and lacking the enthusiasm to do anything more than office work… to a vibrant and interesting evening. Have you ever felt the need to pike out and push something aside?

After nearly 12 months of no real haircuts because farming finances became far too important to be spending it upon me. I finally went back to my hairdresser, feeling guilty that I wasn’t able to support her business when the drought had impacted farther afield. Almost like magic, a simple haircut… no colour, no style… just a haircut, lifted my spirits. It felt like a load off. A fringe that had grown out. A good tidy up, far exceeded expectations.

Then the doctor visit for the dreaded pap smear. Ladies, I know you understand! Say no more. The anxiety and stress around this visit clearly subsided. Then to review my health care plan. NOOOO! I have put on 2kg. Feeling sorry for myself again about now.

Waiting at the pharmacy for medication, one brief phone call was to change my thought process and how I might react. A lady cared enough to phone to see how I was going and to make sure everything was OK. Truthfully no not OK, but I was reminded of what Toastmasters could do for me.

A simple phone call encouraged me to come along tonight. Without any paperwork, no plans, no badge… I rocked up to the meeting. Within minutes I felt almost at ease, was speaking on an impromptu task and took on the task of evaluating a speech.

It absolutely amazes me how I can be so nervous yet so calm and excited, all at the same time. I am so very shy when it comes to speaking, but something ignites within me and I share my passion verbally.

The highlight of the Toastmasters evening for me, was being told that my impromptu speech comes straight from the heart and is spoken with complete honesty. That is exactly what I want to be able to do when I speak to inspire people.

I think we all have more ability than what we realise. Every time I hear somebody speak, whether it is a newcomer or a more experienced speaker… we under-estimate our own ability yet think everyone else speaks wonderfully.

Toastmasters gives you the opportunity to improve your communication skills, build confidence and leadership skills, all within a fun supportive learning environment. We all share our experiences, share stories and help each other. We laugh and enjoy the evening, and we listen to interesting speakers. Some of us share knowledge and educate, some share inspiration and uplift us and some share their unique passions in life.

I would like to extend a formal invitation to you if you live in the Tamworth area to attend our next Tamworth Toastmasters meeting, as a Guest. It will be held on 9th September at West Tamworth League Club, Phillip Street, West Tamworth, 6:45 for 7pm start. Come and see for yourself what Toastmasters can offer you.

If you live outside this area, I invite you to seek out your closest Toastmasters club and encourage you to challenge yourself and see how your life will improve. You will be more confident, will have better communication skills and life just becomes more interesting.

Be the best person you can be and with Toastmasters you may just discover that person hiding within. If I can do it… so can you!

Take care, Karen.

“The Three C’s of Life:

Choices, Chances, Changes.

You must make a Choice

to take a Chance

or your life will never Change.”

~ Zig Ziglar

Toastmasters Proves To Be Life-Changing

February 23, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Who cringes at the mere thought of public speaking? ME for one! It is Toastmasters International Week. The week to reflect upon and promote the intense personal improvements that are waiting to be unveiled for all.

Toastmasters is a self-development group of people that are aimed at helping members improve their communication and leadership skills. Toastmasters was established in 1924 and now operates in 52 countries with more than 200,000 members in over 8,000 clubs.

Only a few months ago, I joined Toastmasters International and ever so quickly… my life has improved, in confidence and my public speaking skills are starting to emerge. Despite feeling anxious and somewhat overwhelmed at speaking publically, Toastmasters has incredibly helped me overcome my initial fears and is helping me develop some insight into the art of speaking.

I wouldn’t say miracles have happened in this very short time, but my involvement at Toastmasters has certainly improved my confidence levels and ability to not “run away” at the mere thought of speaking to an audience. I like the structure and opportunities presented at each meeting. I also like the supportive members that assist and guide with their friendly natures and mutual desire for personal improvement.

Our level of confidence improves with our ability to control our nerves and overcome the fear. Toastmasters helps you to overcome that fear, control your nerves and increase your confidence. Leadership skills are the great underlying strength in Toastmasters with their structure, organisation and operation. Toastmasters can help you improve your ability to think more quickly, learn meeting procedures and have an evening of fun and enjoyment.

For me, I like to speak from the heart and give an emotional authentic style of speech. My problem is I like to write, so of course, I can prepare an engaging speech of some sort. But presenting a speech is my struggle. When I stand up, I lose the words, I don’t know what to say. This is my challenge to overcome and I have enjoyed the journey to date.

I attended my first meeting to check it out and observe as a guest. Then I joined up on the spot, despite thinking that “I am way out of my depth here”. I believed I could never speak in front of people like this, even though it was only a small audience of about 12 people.

But I was on a recent mission to challenge myself and gain personal growth. Nevertheless, I joined up because I knew that would make me return and I would not give up without even trying. I am really a scrooge and money is very valuable in farming… so in my mind… if I paid the membership, I would have to return to get my money’s worth. I know… I am a little eccentric… but it worked for me.

Toastmasters has produced a new program called Pathways that allows members to choose their own unique path, subject to their own aims and desired outcomes. I find this very personalised and more dedicated to the individual. I also enjoy the online opportunity of my pathway.

The new program Pathways was introduced in 2010 with 5 core competencies:

Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
Management
Strategic Leadership
Confidence

There are 11 different Pathways to choose from, based on your own objectives and to develop those skills as you embark on this new experience and journey. Through answering questions about my aims and purpose, several Pathways were suggested. I chose “Innovative Planning” and was guided to the tasks and their purpose.

So I was keen, although nervous, at the next meeting to present my first 5-minute speech the “Ice Breaker” which is all about introducing yourself and learning the basic structure of a public speech. I would normally have quit before I even started… because I feared public speaking so much that I would even refrain from asking questions for the lack of words. I have recently managed to shift my mindset, so I was very nervous yet very eager to begin and get it over with. Surprisingly under the nerves, I actually enjoyed presenting my speech and my passion in life to the small audience.

As part of my new challenge for self-improvement, I elected to take on the assignment of the “Inspiration” segment at the next meeting. My short speech entailed Christmas and the festive season and an inspiring poem. I also enjoyed doing this, despite the nervous energy within me. I am still amazed by how a supportive group of people with a mutual interest in improving speaking skills can encourage me to be so involved.

At following meetings, I have continued to take on an assignment role where needed, in an attempt to make myself step outside my comfort zone. This has lifted my confidence and improved my ability to speak and find those words somewhere within. I do feel empowered to explore and enjoy what Toastmasters offers in developing my communication skills.

My next big speech will be in a few weeks, so I have been thinking about where to begin. The topic can be about anything of my choosing. I would like to talk about drought in Australia, the mental health of farmers, the empathy of strangers with drought support and the unspoken yet heartfelt gratitude of farmers. As a farmer, this is quite an emotional topic, so I am not sure how it will come together and be presented. I would like to try presenting a speech without having it written on paper, word for word. But I am fearful that my true message will get lost when I forget all the words and I will feel disappointed. I must talk to some more experienced fellow Toastmasters to get some advice.

Toastmasters really is a supportive and positive learning environment with opportunities for members to develop communication and leadership skills. This leads to self-confidence and personal growth.

Anyone over the age of 18 can join Toastmasters… male or female… from any career or background. I encourage you to make enquiries at your local Toastmasters Club as you will be amazed by this incredible life-changing experience that will improve all areas of your life.

Take care, Karen.

“The thing you fear most has no power.

Your fear of it is what has the power.

Facing the truth really will set you free”.

~ Oprah Winfrey

How To Have Courage In Public Speaking and Succeed

November 26, 2018 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Courage is the commitment to begin something without any guarantee of a successful result. But courage also allows you to fail and learn a powerful lesson… therefore you don’t really fail at all. If you never courageously take a risk you will never accomplish anything in life. It is my time to challenge myself and to confidently learn public speaking skills with my local Toastmasters International club.

I took a risk tonight and stepped way out of my comfort zone, delivering my first structured speech at Toastmasters. I was nervous but excited… ready for the challenge and looked forward to suggestions and improvements from my fellow Toastmasters.

I joined up only last meeting and was keen to step up and give it a go tonight. Courageously I stepped up to the lectern, delivered a 5 minute “Ice Breaker” introductory speech about myself and what I am passionate about. I felt relieved when finished, but I also felt a sense of satisfaction, that I was courageous enough to speak in front of a small audience. This was an achievement in itself.

Proudly I accepted an Award for being voted the Best Speaker on the night. Secretly I thought I may have got a few sympathy or encouragement votes for being a “virgin” speaker. But I did feel my passion and words were from the heart, and was very content with my first speech.

The beauty is other members give you feedback with an evaluation of your speech. This includes detailed commendations and a recommendation for improvement. I still have so much to learn, skills to develop and confidence to be formed. But I am on the right track and have found the right place.

My favourite part is the support and guidance that fellow Toastmasters give you. It is with their positive reinforcement that I have been able to have faith in myself and believe that I can do it. There is no such thing as failure, it is all a learning curve.

Success is having the courage, determination and perseverance to see something through. If you have the courage to begin, you will certainly have the courage to succeed. Believe in yourself!

Take care, Karen.

“Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death.”

~ Earl Wilson