My Toastmasters Journey

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.”

-Richie Norton

Lips instantly dry as desert dust; forehead, armpits, and palms sweat as an athlete’s after a long and tedious run, and a pounding heartbeat can be heard a mile away. My hands cannot hold a feather-light paper presentation steady, I try to calm my nerves with a gulp of bottled water but it’s a futile endeavor. All this stress, because of a 10-minute presentation before co-workers.

How many can relate to this feeling? Helpless, anxious, and powerless before an audience. You are not alone. Don’t be ashamed to admit it if you feel this way before a public speech or presentation. This had always been my story and most of my workmates had become accustomed to it. Any kind of presentation before people’s eyes was torture for me; I was terrified even at the thought of speaking. Sadly, several life-changing opportunities passed because of this dreadful fear.

Like me, many people have read thousands of pieces of literature on how to calm nerves before a crowd but none of the tips seem to make a significant difference. Professional lives have been ruined because of the fear of public speaking and it’s a tragic reality.

Consequently, I realized that professional intervention was needed and looked for help. Fortunately, an answer to my problem was not far away, it had always been close. A concerned friend introduced me to a Toastmasters Club.

Though desperate, I was skeptical about such clubs. But when I visited Rato Bangala Toastmasters Club in 2017 I discovered that my skepticism gave way to enjoyment. The club members were a lively bunch. The found the entire meeting very positive and encouraging.

The amiable and vivacious Toastmaster who was leading the meeting that day kept the audience (me included) captivated and engaged. Like a person witnessing a great wonder for the first time, I was awestruck. I wondered how another person like me could exude such confidence. She was articulate and eloquent in her speech – qualities I was dying to have.

Inspired by the Toastmasters meeting and the warm environment, I volunteered to give a two-minute impromptu speech. Worst mistake ever! All hell broke loose, the old me reappeared in a snap. I froze. Surprisingly, in dead silence, I could feel and see encouragement in the audience. “You can do it!” some retorted. Their supportive gestures inspired me to say just a few words. Embarrassing I tell you! But to my shock, when my dreadful two minutes were over, they gave a vibrant and resounding round of applause. I didn’t get it at the time.

After the session ended, several club members approached me, including the Club President at the time. They encouraged me and told me that I would get better in time, that I should come again and be a member, and that I had something special in me for standing up to my fears. From that moment onwards, I realized that it was not an issue of reading tips over the internet but that it was a matter of practicing and being in the right environment. My embarrassment that evening was overclouded by the positive aura of the Toastmasters setting. I felt better than I expected and a part of me was willing to try again. I did that exactly in the meetings that followed.

Toastmasters International has provided a safe place for me to learn public speaking and leadership skills – it does not stigmatize or ostracize one for mistakes and it nurtures and taps into human potential. I confidently say this because I’m a living testimony of how Toastmasters can transform one into a competent speaker and leader. At the moment I can proudly share that I am preparing for my tenth and last speech of the Competent Communicator manual. I feel elated, excited, and empowered.

My Toastmasters journey up to this moment has been nothing but memorable,  it has given me confidence that I only dreamt of and the extra benefit of networking with other professionals from different walks of life. Countless new possibilities have been opened up for me and the same is possible for you or anyone else who may be interested.

This is just the beginning, I have more to learn and grow to become a better communicator and leader. 

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep.” – Robert Frost                                                                               

Box text: From that moment onwards, I realized that it was not an issue of reading tips over the internet but that it was a matter of practicing and being in the right environment.