Time to stick my neck out


 I had been in the Redlands Toastmaster Club 8950 for about two years when I decided that is was time to stick my toastmaster neck out.  The District 12, Division D, Area contest for areas 1,2,3, and 4 was coming up and I volunteered to represent the club in the contest.   

My speaking confidence had increased during the prior two years.  I didn't rock back and forth anymore.  That was a huge improvement! At my church I was able to tell "the children's story" without notes, without my voice quivering, and without the children running amok (their rapt attention gave me quite a boost).  The contest would be a great way to test the skills I'd learned.  Why not try presenting in front of larger group of people, unknown to me, in a new setting?   

Several of my club members "weighed in" on what speech I should give.  Their help in this was hugely appreciated.  The fact that they could remember some of my past speeches was a good sign.  The speech was chosen and it was time to polish it up.

Weeks before the contest, I presented my speech to my club.  A "round robin" evaluation after the speech allowed my fellow members to become my mentors.  Each contributed very worthwhile suggestions.  Here are a few of them: 1. speak to the back of the room (speak up) 2. decide if you're using present tense or past tense and stick to it 3. shorten the speech (yes, it was too long) 4. use more gestures  5. use more vocal variety 6. use "Yoodli", an AI tool for analyzing a speech  (it's on the toastmaster website) 7.watch on youtube  "How to speak so that people want to listen" by Julian Treasure.

The speech went through a rewrite. The suggestions were implemented. To further rehearse I presented my speech to my personal mentor, a former (and very wise) neighbor.  Ready and excited, with a little nervousness thrown in, described me on competition day.


 

 

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