Public Speaking - My Passion

People that know me know that my absolute passion in life is public speaking. I LOVE it. I discovered my life's passion when I attended my very first Toastmasters meeting. If you've never heard of Toastmasters, it is quite simply the best, most cost affective way to learn public speaking and leadership skills hands down. I first heard about Toastmasters in "How to Win Friends and Influence People" which I read years ago. Back then I had zero self worth and nil self esteem so I couldn't bring myself to attend a meeting however the name always remained in my head. Many years and a failed marriage later when I had decided to make my life into what I wanted it to be rather than what circumstances had shaped it to be, I attended my first Toastmasters meeting. I remember walking up on stage and looking out at the small audience, maybe 8 people, I started to speak and I just knew, it felt like I belong on a stage speaking. Not singing, not dancing, but speaking from the heart.

I was extremely lucky to have an incredible mentor in my home club, Margaret, whom is still a close friend of mine today. She is wise and compassionate and tactful and she always knows the right thing to say. Early on I learned that in Toastmasters there is no greater achievement than to become World Champion of Public speaking, a competition that is held each year, usually in America, that hundreds of Toastmasters compete in "heats" to take part in. And that ladies and gentlemen, is my ultimate goal. To become World Champion of Public Speaking. Unfortunately I can't even get a sentence out now without becoming breathless, let alone a 5-7 minute speech so I have had to stop attending meetings however I fully intend to re-commence after transplant.

Toastmasters has done more for me than just teach me how to give a speech, it has helped develop my self confidence and self worth as well as given me the opportunity to learn and grow in ways that I would have never thought possible before. And the friendships I have made will be with me for the rest of my life as well. A couple of years ago I was honoured to be asked to give an evaluation of a speech given by the then head of Toastmasters International, a lovely gentleman named Gary. I gave this speech to the largest audience I had ever spoken in front of, around 300 people and I absolutely loved it! It is the highlight of my Toastmasters experience to date.

So if you are looking for a supportive, cost affective way to improve the way you communicate with people, I highly recommend Toastmasters as the way to do it. Perhaps you'll be there when I become World Champion of Public Speaking.