Words From My Mind
Tag: speaking
Hidden Stories
Speaking To Your Soul
Communicative Manifest
Go On…’Steal The Show!’
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
Inspiration Plus! – Lions Club International Youth of the Year!
Yesterday, I had the most marvellous experience of being a member of a panel of 5 Judges on the Lions Club International Youth of the Year District 210 N2 Final here is South-West Sydney, Australia.
Initially, there were supposed to be 6 contestants, all aged 15, however, the only boy withdrew from the contest prior to the day.
As a panel, we interviewed each of the 5 contestants on subjects such as Leadership, Sporting & Cultural activities, Citizenship & Community involvement, Academic and general knowledge of Local, State, National & International affairs for a period of 30 minutes.
We then had to judge each contestant on two Impromptu Speaking questions, one 5 minute speech and on Presentation and Personality.
It was a fascinating process. Seeing and hearing the students present themselves via three different formats, handling the nerves as they did was a credit to themselves, their parents and their schools.
Congratulations to all the contestants and in particular the Public Speaking Winner and the Overall Winner. Best wishes in the forthcoming State Titles!
In all-in-all, it was a very inspiring day! It was such a pleasure to interview and hear the contestants. They were so inspirational!
It was also wonderful representing Toastmasters International on the Judging Panel.
Congratulations to Lions Club International for conducting such an event and a HUGE THANK YOU for the opportunity!
Thank you also to fellow Toastmaster, Anne O’Keefe who put me onto the opportunity.
If you ever get the chance to be part of the Judging Panel for this contest, I would highly recommend that you take it.
Written by David Johnson
11 March 2018
Communicating Creatively 