Break a leg and break the Ice!

The toughest speech you will ever give in your entire toastmaster journey is - the - icebreaker speech! 

You are probably extremely nervous doing your first speech - and for some - like me - that could be your first ever public speech. You probably do not know what to expect as you might have just joined toastmasters. Dramatic experienced toastmasters with huge body movements enough to cause an earth quake and vocal variety to put the sopranos and altos to shame - totally freak you out. Worst part - you have no idea what exactly you should speak about. 

Do not worry -  all of us have been in the same boat as you. And hundreds of toastmasters around the world are probably going through the same as they embark on their toastmaster journey. Here are some words of advise to alleviate your fears.

Nervousness

Remember - this is the whole reason why you joined toastmasters. Be a warrior - combat it. Unless you give it a shot you are never going to over come it. No matter how good or bad you think your speech is - stop yourself from telling your VPE that you cannot speak as you are not prepared enough. Just go for your meeting and go on to stage and simply do it!

What helps is if you get your script ready early and practice it with a friend or fellow toastmaster. It is best to practice with another toastmaster who is in the same project as you so that you can motivate each other not to drop out!

What to expect

Expect everything good. You are about to alleviate your fear of public speaking and get some very valuable feedback from experienced toastmasters! The only rule here is : your speech needs to be within 4 - 6 minutes. You can speak about anything. Do not speak to impress anyone. Always remind yourself - this is your journey - you are in it for yourself - impressing people is not on your agenda.

Try not to prepare an extremely long speech that is difficult to manage - timewise and memorywise. Stick to a small speech and speak slowly allowing yourself to remember your content. If you cannot memorise your speech yet - just get it printed and have it for reference. It is not a requirement for you to have no script with you.

Jim Carrey or Toastmaster

It can be quite overwhelming when you meet toastmasters who are a little dramatic. You might even think it is expected of you. But do not worry - these are skills you will pick up along the way. And dramatizing can happen at your own comfort and pace.

To an extent, these are useful skills but noone would expect you to do it right away! Just speak naturally. Ice breaker is for you to understand your existing strengths and areas where you may need to improve.

Topic Phobic

I totally face this till today. Sometimes I am just not sure what to talk about. I either have too many topics to choose from or none at all! However, keep it simple for the ice breaker speech.

Once, my mentee told me that he was a boring person and he really had nothing to talk about himself for his ice breaker speech. Distracting him a little, since I was meeting him for the first time I asked a little about his career. And out came stories one after another from where he worked to how he had to travel and then about how he was stuck in the Airport for bizarre reasons! Eureka! He had his speech right then and there!

So the tip here is - think about the one story from your life you would tell someone if you met them for the first time. Surely, something interesting, annoying or mind boggling would have taken place that is worth the mention. Stories are a good way of drawing the attention of the audience. 

If you are not ready to share a story yet - think about the one thing that makes you different from others. It could be your nationality, your upbringing, your school or your wierd interests!

Embark your journey with pride and confidence. You will never regret your ice breaker speech no matter how nerve wrecking it had been!

Knowing the why

Before planning your toastmaster journey you need to ask yourself why you have joined in the first place. Toastmasters offers a lot more that simply a platform to speak. Once you understand what you are set out to achieve it will be easier to plan your journey in toastmasters.

                                  

Many people join toastmasters to conquer stage fear. If this is in your agenda then plan your toastmaster journey to include the following :

• Start with prepared speeches as table topics is a whole different set of challenges
• Speak as often as possible. Try to get slots in advance. If you are unable to find slots find other roles that allow you to speak : Tabletopics Master, ToastMaster of the day
• Do not feel shy to repeat your speech for multiple projects so that you spend less time memorising but more time rehearsing and conquering your fears
• Repeat the same speech in different clubs so that you get to perform in front of varied audience. 
• Do not focus on completing the manual. Focus on getting over your fear of public speaking

                                   

I am completely terrified of impromptu speaking. If you are like me you are at the right place!! ToastMasters provides you plenty of opportunities for impromptu speaking

• Start with doing ah-counter. As an ah-counter you get to take note of the usage of unnecessary pause fillers used by speakers. Towards the end of the meeting you would have to read out your report. You could do it simply by reading it right out. Or you could find creative ways of presenting it. This is one chance for you to practice your impromptu speaking at the most basic level.
• Once you have completed your P4 project consider doing a project evaluation for P1. You will have very little time to prepare your evaluation speech so it forces you to think on your feet.
• Grab hold of a couple of like minded toastmaster peers and practice tabletopics between yourselves. 
• Finally practice practice practice tabletopics at as many meetings as possible
• When you do ToastMaster of the day use the opportunity to comment on speeches, or joke impromptu.

                                            

That's the comic version of me - trust me. I have major writer's blocks and am always ready for my speeches only at the last minute! Preparing for several speeches eventually alleviates this situation!

• Listen to as many speeches as possible - on youtube, go to various clubs, contests. This will give you more perspective on structuring your speech
• Attend speech craft workshops held by various toastmasters to learn techniques
• Speak often so that you get the chance of writing and forcing yourself out of the block

                                     

Toastmaster gives you an excellent platform to improve your leadership skills. From famous politicians, to models, to management experts - many leaders have had a go at toastmasters.

• Join the ExCO to be part of the team that manages your toastmasters club
• Chair and organize Contests and other big toastmasters events
• Spearhead new initiatives to improve membership and education at your club.

No matter what your reason is in joining toastmasters, I can assure you that you will have a "Speak"tacular time here! Once you are sure of your goals, you can design your journey accordingly!

My ToastMaster Journey

It has been a little over a year since I joined Toastmasters. What can I say?

Fun .. Fantastic .. Fascinating!

In a year, the way I think, talk and write have changed completely. I think of adjectives in groups of 3 (triards), use body language when I am speechless and enjoy being questioned by my boss as I use that opportunity to practice my tabletopics (not to the particular liking of my boss). Jokes apart though, my toastmasters journey has been incredible.

Incredible learning - As my speaking skills improved steadily from my P1 onwards. The evaluations given by my toastmaster peers have been valuable and the main reason for my improvement.

Incredible friendships - Meeting my toastmaster buddies regularly in meetings have fostered wonderful frienships.

Incredible expanse in thought paradigm - Thanks to the wonderful toastmaster speeches on a variety of topics!

Through this blog, I hope to help new toastmasters get started on their journey, discuss issues I face in my own journey and hopefully in future convert this blog into a discussion forum!