Toastmasters is not just about public speaking, it is about confronting your fears.
Many of us came to Toastmasters being scared and nervous about public speaking. Most of us have come a long way and developed as public speakers. Sure we may get nervous before giving a speech but generally, when we are prepared, giving a speech in front of our club is not something that really scares us.
Unfortunately, I often see growth measured by the refrain, "How many speeches have you done?" While prepared speeches are an essential part of growth as a Toastmaster, I believe it is important to realize the following:
If prepared speeches don't scare you, you have to find new ways of scaring yourself at Toastmaters so that you can confront your fears and expand your comfort zone.
If prepared speeched don't really scare you, perhaps consider some of the following:
Have you done an evaluation yet? Are you comfortable evaluating a speaker you consider more advanced?
Do you always choose to do a "thought of the day" when doing a "joke of the day" would make you feel less comfortable?
Do you shy away from chairing a meeting?
Are you scared of a giving a humorous speech? How about serious, heart-moving speech?
Have you visited and spoken at a new and unfamiliar club?
If you are interested in learning another language, would going to a Toastmasters meeting in another language be intimidating to you?
Have you joined a contest with the intent of seeing how far you can go?
Are you an accomplished speaker that is perhaps scared of leading your club in an Executive position?
Have you been on the Executive of your club but feel uncomfortable at the thought of being President?
Does starting a new Toastmasters club present a scary but exciting new challenge?
Toastmasters is really about confronting fears. If prepared speeches no longer scare you, ask yourself what does scare you and make sure you are confronting that fear.
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