Why am I writing about Toastmasters on a blog that is primarily about fashion and design and art and tshirts, and…
Did I say springleap!
But about 2 years ago I joined up with Toastmasters in Cape Town, and it has been such a wonderful experience that I thought I’d take a few minutes (and a little big of web space), and tell you how it has changed my life.
They say public speaking is the number one fear of people - that’s right, the NUMBER ONE FEAR! Bigger than death, bigger than spiders, bigger than all those horrible things that I can think of.
Standing up in front of a crowd of 3 or a crowd of 3000, and speaking about “stuff”. The topic can be anything, sometimes a subject you know well, and sometimes an impromptu congrats, but the situation is the same.
You stand up, and feel a bit nauseous, a bit light headed, your throat dry’s up, your stomach clenches, and you see a room full of people just waiting to pelt rotten eggs at you.
That’s where Toastmasters comes in - toastmasters is a group that lets you practice your public speaking in a room full of people that are there to encourage you to be able to deliver a great speech - on time, everytime.
The Toastmasters group i belong to is the E&Y Toastmasters group, and we meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month in the E&Y offices at the Cape Town CBD.
I remember the first speech I gave - the entire day I was nervous, flustered, and not sure what would happen when I finally stood up in front of the crowd (remember that day Duncan - I practiced a few times in the shop before I spoke, entertaining all of you).
Now, a little bit further down the line, and toastmasters has given me the practice to enjoy speaking - I speak regularly at conferences on internet marketing, springleap, and internet eCommerce, and also enjoy doing impromtu’s at celebrations.
Check out the toastmasters.co.za website for information about the E&Y Toastmasters club and some of the other toastmasters clubs in Cape Town (there are quite a few).
Thanks Toastmasters!
“When I think of my childhood, I always thing of my grandfather and teh way walks we had on the beach looking for treasure”….or something like that right?
Public speaking is the worlds greatest fear…..sheesh mine is a cannibal nuclear holocaust LOL.
Yep I remember when u started….u were SUPA nervous, but look at you now…now u are a toast mastering machine
I think I’m ok with talking in public as long as its spontaneous