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!