Reflections - One Speech Away from Success

Is there something you avoid because it does not feel comfortable? Does this thing come up time and time again? I sure do.

Public speaking is many people's greatest fear. Public speaking was my greatest fear. Unfortunately, I waited far to long to face this challenge head on. Only recently did I identify public speaking as the number one thing holding me back from further success.

One of my biggest mistakes was skipping my final speech as a senior in high school. This one speech itself did not cause me to fail the class (although I finished with a D-). This one speech did not cause me to miss my high school graduation. This one speech did not cause me to miss graduating from college, or from graduate school or prevent me from gaining employment. This one speech did cause me to not put value in oral communication.

As a result of missing one speech in high school, I was derailed from the possibilities that lie ahead for me to practice and improve my communication. This one cowardly, lazy act, prevented many doors from opening throughout my career.

There are so many opportunities that good oral communication provides. Finally realizing that fact a year and a half ago caused me to join Toastmasters International.

Toastmasters groups are available all over the world and provide many opportunities to practice your communication and leadership skills. These groups allow you to go at your own pace while receiving positive encouragement from club members. I have been involved in most of the meeting roles and have given two speeches since I have joined. Please encourage me to continue on towards my Competent Communicator (CC) designation in the coming year.

If you have any other thoughts about how to improve your communication or have been involved in Toastmasters, please share your experiences with us.