| Have you ever watched a speaker and said, | | | | with them that may make a difference in their |
| "Wow, I wish I could speak like that"? or | | | | lives - by entertaining them, warning them, |
| "That person was just so wonderful. I could | | | | encouraging them, or giving them direction or |
| never do that." Well, I've got some good news | | | | information.The great thing is - you all do |
| for you. You too can be a public speaker. | | | | have something to say that people would be |
| Public speaking is a learned skill, so anyone | | | | interested in hearing. Each of you has come |
| can do it. You just need to follow some | | | | through life in a different way. You may have |
| simple steps and practice, practice, | | | | encountered difficult circumstances and |
| practice. If you know how to talk, you can | | | | survived. Your experience could help someone |
| become a public speaker.Becoming really good | | | | else in the same situation.If you remember |
| at public speaking requires some risk, but | | | | jokes or enjoy telling stories to your |
| you have been taking risks all your life. | | | | friends, practice a little more and soon you |
| When you were a toddler, you risked falling | | | | can be telling your jokes and stories to |
| down when you took your first steps. You risk | | | | large audiences. If you are really good at |
| scraping your knees or falling when you start | | | | something, consider sharing the steps of how |
| roller blading. You risk falling off when you | | | | you got there.By following the steps outlined |
| start bike riding. You risk being rejected | | | | in the Toastmasters' manuals, and with the |
| when you ask someone out on a date, and you | | | | encouragement of fellow Toastmasters, you can |
| risk getting into an accident every time you | | | | learn how to craft a speech and how to |
| drive your car.If you gave up after your | | | | deliver it. You can learn how to use props, |
| first fall, you'd still be crawling. If you | | | | how to modulate your voice, and how to use |
| were afraid to fall off your bike, you'd | | | | words that your audience will understand.You |
| still be riding with training wheels. If you | | | | will often hear the words "stage time" used |
| were afraid of getting into an accident, | | | | by Toastmasters. That is the only way to get |
| you'd never get behind the wheel of a car. | | | | better. In order to be good at anything, you |
| And guess what, you're still here - you've | | | | have to practice. Winston Churchill overcame |
| survived all of that. You're risk takers!! | | | | a speech impediment to become a master |
| You've proved that by coming to Toastmasters. | | | | orator. He had to practice for hours to |
| The greatest fear is that of public speaking | | | | deliver a speech.You can get very discouraged |
| and here you are - wanting to learn how to do | | | | if you expect to be as good as Zig Ziglar |
| it.How many of you enjoy watching figure | | | | right away. But if you listen to his story, |
| skating? Now, you wouldn't expect to be a | | | | you will find that it took a very long time |
| world class figure skater the minute you put | | | | before he was able to do what he does so |
| on a pair of skates, would you? No, you'd | | | | well.The thing to remember is that the only |
| expect to have to practice for years before | | | | person you need to compare yourself to is |
| becoming that good. Nor would you expect to | | | | you. You are working for your personal best, |
| make the NHL without years and years of | | | | so when you are preparing your speech and |
| winter and summer hockey.How many of you | | | | practicing, all you need to ask yourself is - |
| enjoy watching racing? Would you expect to be | | | | is your second speech better in some way than |
| another Mario Andretti the minute you get | | | | your first? Did you learn something new as |
| behind the wheel? Now, I will admit that | | | | you prepared for your speech? Did you learn |
| there seem to be a few drivers out there who | | | | something from the evaluative comments of |
| think they are Mario, but most people would | | | | others after you gave your speech? Then, |
| expect to have to practice for years before | | | | that's all you need to do. You can use what |
| reaching his status.Now, I think everyone | | | | you've learned to make the next speech your |
| here knows how to walk. When you think of | | | | best to date and then use the same process |
| walking 25 miles, it seems like a long | | | | for each speech you give. Just take one step |
| distance, but it is actually only putting one | | | | at a time.Remember, public speaking is a |
| foot in front of the other a number of times | | | | skill, so anyone can learn to do it. You just |
| and you know how to do that. It just takes | | | | need to be taught how and then practice, |
| practice to go the distance. It's the same | | | | practice, practice. Then one day someone may |
| thing with public speaking. It just takes | | | | watch you and say, "Wow, I wish I could speak |
| putting one word after another.The key to | | | | like that."Fran Watson is a Career Counsellor |
| getting up in front of an audience is | | | | and a Toastmaster (ATM-B). |
| believing that you have something to share | | | | |