They say that the only fear greater than death is…
*Drum Roll*
Public Speaking
3 years ago, I felt the same way, so I joined up with my local toastmasters group - an organisation with 250,000 members around the world dedicated to improving people’s communication and speaking skills.
I try my best to make the monthly meeting our local group has (there are about 8 groups meeting monthly in Cape Town alone), and last night after our 3 hour meeting finished (each club is different but we make our monthly event into a dinner event - impromptu talking, dinner, prepared speeches, dessert, evaluation), I thought back over the last few years and realised how incredible the experience has been.
For the first 6 months, I didn’t speak at the meetings - I chameleoned myself in the room, and meticulously avoided any chance of speaking. Then I finally did my first talk (the first level is to do 10 speeches, each with particular learning points and focus), and for 24 hour solid hours before my talk, I had a high blood pressure, nervous, nauseous, and stressed!
Last night I participated throughout the evening, and enjoyed every minute - i’m currently the president of my club, so I welcomed the guests and members, and said goodbye at the end of the night. I entered the impromptu speaking competition, and won the best “spur of the moment” talk for trying to convince a company to take on a TOTALLY inappropriate candidate. (I pulled some names out a hat, and my assignment was to get “JubJub” a “Truck Driver” position - obviously he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a vehicle), and I presented an award to a member that had completed her 10 speeches.
3 years ago Public Speaking was high on my “Avoid” list. Thanks to Toastmasters, I’m now doing professional speaking assignments!
9 responses so far ↓
1 Joey da Silva // Mar 19, 2010 at 8:51 am
You’ve done well on that Eric! I joined before you, but after my initial needs became too intimidated to speak again. I’m half way to CC - perhaps time to make a come back!
2 Sean Nieuwoudt // Mar 19, 2010 at 10:53 am
This is awesome Eric!
I’m definitely joining up… see you there soon!
3 matematik oyunlar? // Mar 27, 2010 at 3:14 am
perhaps time to make a come back.
4 Michael Chadbourne // Oct 14, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hi Eric
I also joined a Durban Toastmasters Club and the development in speaking and leadership has been great.
5 Emmanuel // Nov 19, 2010 at 4:18 pm
You did the right thing. I have joined Toastmasters in Johannesburg a year and half ago and I am preparing for my 7th speech.
This is a great organisation with a supportive environment.
6 Erich // Nov 20, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Saw this link and linked to it from the blog
greenside toastmasters.co.za
Thanks for sharing!
7 Erich // Nov 29, 2010 at 11:36 am
I’ve put a link to this post on my home club’s site http://www.greensidetoastmasters.co.za
Thanks for posting!
Regards
Erich
8 Craig // Jan 30, 2011 at 8:56 am
Thanks Eric for the article, but a small correction. There are over 25 groups in Cape Town alone, and about 120 in Southern Africa.
9 Bongani // Aug 31, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hi Guys
looking at all your comments and testimies , it seems I have have finally found what I’ve been looking for .I would love to take public speaking classes or trainning , are the toastmasters meetings in Pretoria , I would really love to be part of that , how do I go about. If there isnt where are the ones in Johanessburg held
Thanks
Bongani
Leave a Comment