Public Speaking Exercise Builds Confidence Muscles

I attended a Toastmasters (TM) Leadership Institute Conference at Cal Baptist University on Saturday.  District 12 is home to 100-plus, Toastmasters clubs throughout the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties: http://www.d12toastmasters.org

One of the things I like about conferences is meeting up and conferring with fellow TMs. No two clubs are alike either in club dynamics, accommodating venue or diverse membership.  I also favor continuous learning especially when mentorship in public speaking and writing are on the agenda; I don’t have to reinvent any wheels.  Rather, I can improve the trusty, dusty wheels on which I’ve traveled many a professional path, with ne’er an irreparable flat tire.

I’ve been a member of TM since 2007: formerly, Temecula Club 1677; currently, Menifee Club 2002786. Here’s how I make time for the meeting:  I mark it in my calendar as an ‘A’ appointment every week, to the exclusion of all else. The meetings occur whether I’m there or not.  If I miss out, I miss out, but there’s always next time – no demerits, no retribution, no kidding.  It’s kind of like going to the gym for a work out:  I’m more likely to reap the health and well-being benefits when I slate a little time each day to take care of my physical vessel. 

There’s nothing punitive about my work outs. In fact, the sessions provide many luxuries: I don’t feel badly when I eat an ice cream cone or a whole box of cookies on occasion. I like how I look at this stage in my middle-aged life.  What’s more, my health (physical, spiritual, mental) is governed by the gym’s playground.  I’m free to partake of any piece of equipment or scheduled class the gym offers when I’m sad, happy, indifferent, angry, frustrated, hyper, distracted, tired, feeling lumpy, wearing ratty sweats or a pretty yoga ensemble.  I can go any time, as many times, 24/7, 360 days per year.

Still, there’s room for improvement.  I LOVE going to the gym to see my defined biceps contract into taut, little muscle mounds when I do cable curls.  Watching my technique in the mirror, I think: That’s really me? Daaaang, girl!  Do another set!

Though the availability of TM meetings isn’t as infinite as the gym, it still offers similar, public speaking exercises for a nominal fee (since it’s a nonprofit, educational, international organization), depending on the club.  For example, leadership training in club operations easily translates into my professional arena:  accounting; tending to membership; leadership training; resolving minor conflicts; running logistics; planning events; meeting deadlines; proper attire, predicated on FUN!

I’m always ready to address various forums because I’m prepared to do so, imromptu, or no. I’m trained to facilitate meeting environments which begin and end on time. I know how to compose an agenda.  I’ve learned how to create and administrate websites in TM – the computer didn’t blow up, nor did the data disappear into cyberspace.  I’ve learned to effectively and diplomatically get to the point of the meeting or speech, with and without the use of PowerPoint.  I’m fundamentally timid, cultivating a growing confidence among TMs readily sharing their broad-based backgrounds.

Organizations can hold meetings either open or closed to the public.  Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), headquarted in Redlands, is open to the public.  The company is a renowned, international, private, geographical information systems software developer (ARC-info).  

Some municipal organizations train employees via TM in a closed environment.  As a Division ‘D’ Governor (Palm Desert region) for one year, I functioned as a TM emissary to 22 clubs while completing the goals toward earning the Distinguished Toastmaster credential.  Now I focus more on TM mentorship and the collective goals of the organization.  I continuously morph into a seasoned speaker and wonderful writer, in large part, because I GET TO practice among my peers in TM who grant encouragement and constructive feedback in return. I’ve never met a fellow TM I didn’t like.

I’ve never been to a hospitable, TM District 12 event where I didn’t go back for thirds, stealthily sweeping through the salad and the dessert bars.  I’ll be hitting the gym this evening with a clear, calorie conscious and a butterfly thought lighting on my vibrant, creative idea axons.

TM guests are always welcome.  For information on starting a club or attending a meeting, check the TM website:  http://www.toastmasters.org

Lynda StarWriter is a freelance writer and a professional speaking coach:  lyndastarwriter@aol.com