Member Stories: Shattering Expectations
When I first walked into the speakers club, I had no idea what to expect. Public speaking is something that comes and all shapes and sizes, and I’d never considered joining an organisation before. But after hearing a friend evangelically talk about the speakers club, I wanted to know more.
I was intrigued.
What I found was something different completely to what I expected. A group of people who had a myriad of backgrounds and experiences.
And then there was the name. Toastmasters. I could see why some people would be wary or joining a club to be the town-crier of after-dinner speaking. But this was nothing of the sort. I soon discovered it was not just about being the master of the toast, or the speech.
It was about mastering my own confidence.
I found myself having an opportunity to speak in my first meeting. There I was – feeling the rush of adrenalin as I realised I was going to speak to this group of people who clearly wanted me to succeed. I gripped the lectern and I’m sure my knuckles were white as tried to deliver an impromptu ’table topic’.
And as soon as I had sat back down, I knew that I was hooked. I had managed to deliver a short speech with no preparation. The adrenaline made my hands shake as I realised just how satisfying it is to stand in front of others and simply talk with them taking in every word that you say.
An exciting and exhilarating moment had passed, and I had so much more to look forward to among a group of people that I could call my friends.
by John Reid