Tag: Public Speaking

15 Years and Counting…

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Public Speaking

As of the 1 March this year, I have been a member of Toastmasters International for 15 years.

In some ways, it seems a long time, in other ways not. In that time I have:

  • Been a member of 4 clubs, and am currently a member of Gledswood Toastmasters
  • Achieved the level of Distinguished Toastmaster
  • Won two Club and two Area International Speech Contests
  • Prepared, written, rehearsed and delivered well over 100 speeches
  • Competed in numerous contests
  • Served as President of 2 clubs
  • Served on a number of Executive committees
  • Built a new Toastmasters Club jointly with Rhys Tague, DTM
  • Served as a Club Coach of Gledswood Toastmasters jointly with Rhys Tague, DTM
  • Served as an Area Director

How has that all benefitted me? Let’s have a look at me prior to joining Toastmasters…

When I joined Toastmasters in 2008, I was 45 years of age. I am a born Introvert who used to get so nervous around people even into my 20’s that my hands would shake if I lifted a drink to my mouth during a conversation. True.

I used to talk around people I knew but if a stranger joined the conversation, I would clam up. True.

Prior to joining Toastmasters, my only instances of getting up in front of people related to Photography. I have been a photographic judge since 1995 and used to judge at 10-12 clubs a year from 1995 through to the early 2010. Even though I was incredibly nervous, my passion for photography, and wanting to help people, had me speaking in front of an audience, evaluating their images.

There were times when I was offered a glass of water etc whilst I was up judging that I declined because people would see the glass shaking due to nerves, so I would politely decline it, even if I was thirsty… True.

A couple of times, I was physically ill prior to judging and often would not eat dinner before I was judging sometimes as I was worried I might be ill. Also true.

Making 2-3 comments on an image is very different to getting up in front of people and delivering a rehearsed or impromptu speech.

The night before I did my Ice-Breaker speech at Campbelltown Toastmasters, I could not sleep, or eat on the day of the speech. Wendy White, DTM, President of the Club at the time and friend, reminded me that ‘Toastmasters is a mutually supportive environment’ and every member knows how you feel as they have been through it.

Some of my nerves did go and I delivered the speech and funnily enough, I didn’t burst into flames!

Joining and committing to the Toastmasters programme has helped me in the following ways:

  • Gained greater general confidence
  • Am able to control my nerves prior to and during speeches and photographic judging
  • Can do things in front of others without getting nervous
  • Can walk up to strangers and introduce myself
  • Has improved my networking skills
  • Has improved my business capabilities
  • I have no fear of public speaking now
  • I have no fear of taking up leadership roles
  • It has made me a better leader
  • It has made me a better listener
  • I can now evaluate better
  • My ability to ‘think on my feet’ (impromptu speaking) has improved
  • It improved my performance at job interviews (when I was an employee)
  • Has enabled me to write and deliver coherent speeches
  • Enabled me to compete and win speech contests (who would have ever thought?)
  • Has improved my general writing capabilities
  • Gave me the confidence to start writing Poems (over 500 now)
  • Opened up opportunities outside of Toastmasters for public speaking including, VIEW, Probus, Photographic clubs, a business conference and Emceeing 3 family weddings
  • Has enabled me to have a positive impact on people within and outside Toastmasters
  • Has helped me improve my speaking/leadership at my BNI (Business Network International) Referral chapter

Why do I stay?

I stay because of the following 4 reasons:

  • Continuing professional development: I can always improve
  • Paying it forward: I can help mentor those who are earlier on their journey
  • Relationships: I have made a lot of good friends in Toastmasters
  • Entertainment: We always have fun at our meetings

I would absolutely recommend joining Toastmasters International, even if you are only looking to improve your general confidence. In doing that, it will open the door to improving you and your performance in a number of ways.

Like everything worthwhile in life it requires discipline, commitment, being open to learning, being prepared to step outside your Comfort Zone and into your Growth Zone, and you can do this whilst having fun!

Here’s to your Toastmasters Journey!

Written by David Johnson

8 April 2023

For more information on Toastmasters International: http://www.toastmasters.org/

Expressive Ability

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry

Glimmers Of Light

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

This is, essentially, a hard post to write as 2020 obviously has not been a very good year in terms of the raging bushfires that caused destruction and death here in Australia early in the year and in other places around the world as well.

Then, of course, Covid-19 arrived seemingly, resembling a bad B-Grade Sci-Fi movie script that is causing illness, death, isolation and financial troubles etc.

I see a lot of posts on Social Media saying things like, ‘Farewell 2020, what an awful year,’ etc. This is quite understandable given what has happened/is happening.

Whilst overall, 2020 has been an awful year I believe it is a good exercise to turn the microscope on your own life and see what positive things have happened to you individually in this remarkable (for the wrong reasons) year.

We were not affected by the bushfires ourselves, though some people we knew were which did set the emotions running. Covid-19, however, affected our livelihood with both the Finance and Marketing sides of the business taking a huge hit due to lockdown etc. 

Things on that front are in recovery mode now thankfully, largely due to my wife, Susan on the Finance side and an awesome group of people that she is working with. I have recently become part of that team.

The following ’things that went right’, although insignificant in the world as a whole, were significant to me/us.

Business/Work

  • Completion of my Certificate IV Finance & Mortgage Broking course which allowed me to become a Finance Broker (after leaving a part-time role with a Bank) in December and better support Susan
  • Attaining a new part-time role as an Entrepreneurship Facilitator (mentoring/assisting start-up businesses)
  • Am currently studying the Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking 

Toastmasters

  • My involvement in Toastmasters International is approaching its 13th year early next year and this year provided a few highlights including achieving the following:
  • Distinguished Toastmaster (highest education and leadership level)
  • Completed my High Performance Leadership Programme
  • Completed by role as an Area Director
  • Completed my role as a Club Coach
  • Completed my role as President of Gledswood Club
  • Received my first Triple Crown Education award
  • Received a Leadership Excellence award
  • (My Club), Gledswood Toastmasters achieved 10/10 becoming a President’s Distinguished Club. My Co-Club Coach Rhys Tague, the Executive and all the members contributed here and we are all continuing to grow the club
  • I was the Toastmaster for the first time at a Division Contest

Creative Pursuits

  • Joined Red Point Artists Association at Port Kembla, NSW
  • (At date) have completed 704 Watercolour Sketch’s a Day in a row. The goal back on 26 January 2019 was to acquire the habit of a ‘Daily Art Practice’
  • Starting using Dip Pens for the first time
  • Had a group of my Paintings on display for the very first time
  • Sold my first and second paintings this year
  • Recommenced Oil Painting
  • This year I managed 100 posts on this blog for the first time ever
  • Have now written in excess of 400 Poems (300 on this Blog)

Some ‘not so good things’ have also happened this year, presenting us with challenges we have or are in the process of overcoming in health and other areas. I think it’s important to learn from them but not dwell on them.

If you would like to, apply that Microscope to your own life and see (despite what has happened this year on the world stage), what good things have happened to you this year? If you want to, list them in the comments below or just comment generally.

Thanks to May @ Forever and Everly for the inspiration to do this post. You can check out her Blog here: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/59870465/posts/3090980068

Wishing everyone a Happier 2021!

Written by David Johnson

31 December 2020

Thoughts In Flower

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

A Pleasure To Receive…Thank You!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Public Speaking, Stories From Life

On Friday, I had great pleasure in receiving my DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) plaque from Toastmasters International.

As an earlier post indicated, I reached the DTM level in Toastmasters last month which is the highest level.

IMG_9412

Since 1924, more than 4 million people have benefitted from the Educational program.

As of 1 July 2020, the new Pathways Educational is now the only educational program in use. There are 11 Paths to choose from.

I joined Toastmasters back in March 2008 and by committing to the program and consistently striving to improve myself, taking on board the mentoring and points for improvement and putting them into practice, it changed my life in many positive ways.  It can do the same for you too.

There is still more I can learn and whilst doing that, I can help others along the way, just like I have been helped. I am so grateful for the opportunities.

For more information: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Written by David Johnson
5 July 2020

Stepping-Stones… A Journey to DTM and Beyond!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Public Speaking, Stories From Life

Last week it was exciting to have achieved the highest Education and Leadership level in Toastmasters International, that of DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster).

There is no set time to achieve DTM, You do it at your own pace and whilst some Toastmasters are members of multiple clubs, in my 12 1/4 years in Toastmasters, I’ve been in one club (at a time), mainly.

ToastmastersLogo-Color

So, what does that mean to a non-Toastmaster, i.e. what do you need to do to achieve it?

I have listed the requirements below that were needed to complete DTM (in the Traditional program):

Competent Communicator

10 speeches (mainly 5-7 minutes in length).

Competent Leader

10 Projects (containing multiple roles ranging from meeting roles to serving on a club executive committee).

Advanced Communicator Bronze

10 Advanced module speeches (mainly 5-7 mins but up to 40 mins). There were 15 Advanced manuals to choose from; plus 2 x 15 minute Educational presentations.

Advanced Leadership Bronze

Served at least 6 months as a Club Officer; participate in preparation of a Club Success Plan; attend Officer training; conduct 2 x15 minute Educational presentations.

Advanced Communicator Silver

10 Advanced module speeches & 2 x15 minute Educational presentations.

Advanced Communicator Gold

10 Advanced module speeches & 1 x 15 minute Educational presentation or lead a Youth Leadership (6 weeks long) Program & mentored a member for their first 3 speech projects.

Advanced Leadership Silver

Serve a 12 month term as a District Leader, Serve successfully as a Club Coach, Club Sponsor or Club Mentor & complete a High Performance Leadership program.

Along the way you finish up doing more as its fun and you want to learn more and obtain more experience etc:

  • I led 3 Youth Leadership courses and participated in several more.
  • Participated (as a leader) in Speechcraft courses (for adults)
  • Have served as a club officer 6 times including being President of two different clubs.
  • Together with Rhys Tague (co-Club Coach) we have successfully built a new Toastmasters Club in the Macarthur Region and the club has achieved 10/10 in the Distinguished Club Program  (achieving all Administration, Education and Membership goals) in it’s first year.

Toastmasters has been in ’transition-mode’ for the past few years and the Traditional Program stops at Midnight on 30 June 2020. The new Pathways Education Program has been in for a few years now and offers even more opportunities for learning and development in terms of communication and leadership.

I’m currently about to start Level 3 (out of 5) of the one of the 11 Paths called ‘Presentation Mastery.’

Being a committed member of Toastmasters has helped me have greater confidence (inward & outward) and I have learnt so much. There is still much more to learn though.

Why do I stay in Toastmasters?

  • Continuing professional development
  • A chance to pay it forward/give back to other members
  • I’ve made many friends

I’ve included a link to the Pathways Education program should you wish to investigate it more. https://www.toastmasters.org/pathways-overview

If you would like to find a club near you that you can visit, there is a ‘Find A Club’ link on the same page.

Where to from here? I see the achievement of DTM as another stepping-stone to further professional development.

The journey is far from over!

Written by David Johnson
27 June 2020

Go On…’Steal The Show!’

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Public Speaking

As some of you may know, I’m a member of Toastmasters International and have been for 12 years this month. It has been a wonderful journey of learning, practicing and I have made many friends along the way, plus I am now a much more confident person in many ways, too.

At the same time, whilst Toastmasters is a great organisation and I highly recommend it, I also recommend sourcing information about Speaking skills from outside of it.

For quite a few years now I have been reading books about Public Speaking, Presentation skills, Leadership and general communication skills.

One such book is ’Steal The Show’ from Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches.

I first found out about the book when I came across Michael Port’s podcast on iTunes called ’Steal The Show.’

I feel the book is a ‘Goldmine’ of inspiration and information. Part One is ’The Performer’s Mindset’; Part Two is ‘Powerful Performance Principles’ and Part Three is ‘A Master Class In Public Speaking’ plus it has 50 Public Speaking tips at the end of the book.

If you are at all interested in improving your communication and public speaking skills, I would highly recommend reading this book. I will be keeping it as a reference book for many years to come!

Written by David Johnson
March 2020

 

Which Medium?

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Which Medium_

Opportunity Knocks!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Public Speaking

Last month I had the opportunity to speak at my very First conference. It was held at the Pepper Manor House in the Southern Highlands of NSW. A beautiful, grand old house in quite a picturesque location.

I was invited to speak at ICCare (formerly known as Wollondilly Support and Community Care Inc) which is based in Picton, NSW but its coverage also extends to the Camden, NSW region.ICCARE LOGO

ICCare provide quality, professional service/support to people who are frail, aged, people with a disability and their carers.

My topic for the presentation was, “Public Speaking” and I was advised that I would be speaking for an hour and then there would be time for questions.

As with many of the general population, some of the staff have had challenges with public speaking and this is how the presentation came about.

Although my presentation was by PowerPoint, I was careful not to present too many slides with bullet points only, as this can be quiet boring for an audience.

Instead, (on some slides) I used images to represent ideas that I was talking about.

During the presentation, I gave tips on overcoming nerves, preparation, speech structure, public speaking techniques and also gave a demonstration of ‘Impromptu Speaking’ or “Thinking On Your Feet’ as it is sometimes known.

I then invited a member of the audience up and another member of the audience gave them a topic to speak on for one minute.

After that, I invited 4 members of the audience up to participate in a ‘Round Robin’ which is another Impromptu Speaking exercise but much more fun.

After a 20 minute question period we adjourned to lunch and shared a few stories.

Thank you to Lisa Smith, CEO of ICCare for this opportunity.

I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience and can’t wait for the next public speaking opportunity!

Written by David Johnson
16 May 2019

For more information on the services provided by ICCare, please click on the following link: http://wsacci.org.au/

Fun & Exploration!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Fun & Exploration!