Become Who You Are

I AM an author and a speaker. I credit most of my confidence and ability to my nearly 4 years as a Toastmaster. It has been an integral support in coming to terms with, and THRIVING with a physical disability. Better, not bitter – this disability will be the MAKING of me ♥ in ways I could have never anticipated!

The Future Belongs

Author and Speaker ♥ I AM.

Concluding Your Speech

Better Speaker Series – Concluding Your Speech

This presentation, part of Toastmasters International’s Better Speaker Series, will teach some effective methods to make your speech conclusion memorable; people remember longest, the last thing they hear!

4 Important Criteria

  • Achieve a sense of closure
  • Summarize main points
  • Make an impact
  • Take 5-10% of the entire speech

Closure: Words: “in conclusion”, “let me end by saying”, “in summary”

Summarize: Repeat and review key points

Impact: Speech will be forgotten but a meaningful conclusion will be remembered

Ending Techniques

  • Quotation
  • Story or anecdote
  • Call to action
  • Ask a rhetorical question
  • Refer to the beginning of the speech
  • Summarize your main points

Tips for Success

  • Write out and memorize conclusion
  • End on time
  • Refrain from adding new content

Begin 2012 Inspired

New Years Resolutions Goals (2012)

- Attain DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) Designation
- Start making videos

Technical Presentations

life-begins

Looking ahead to 2012, I see a few comfort zones that I would like to “escape” from – momentarily at least. Technical Presentations. I am rather shocked that I managed a decade working in IT without ever having to do such a presentation. Now? I am considering it out of the sphere of work – as something (almost) bordering on fun. My challenge is to learn how to present technical material in a way that doesn’t incite snoring in the audience or leave them scratching their heads.

xposted to http://www.technicalblather.com/

Choice, Chance, Change

This is a perfect descriptor of what Toastmasters means to me! I am constantly challenged to step beyond my comfort zone; it has been a choice that continues to change my life.

4 Agreements and Toastmasters

If you agree to take on a role:

  1. Follow through with it or find a replacement
  2. Don’t assume you CAN’T do it if it’s something new
  3. Accept constructive criticism with grace and gratitude
  4. Put YOUR best into it – and your best may change from time to time depending on circumstance

Persuasive Speaking

After refraining from speaking (in terms of actual speeches) for some time, I suspect I will be up to my “old tricks” in 2012.
Persuasive. Convincing. Motivating.
Following my dreams…
I have finally purchased my niche manual!

A Dynamic Team

How inspiring it is for me to share my Toastmasters experience with my husband! As of today, we will be dual members of two clubs together, and I will be a member of 4. Having common (dream) goals with one’s partner keeps both focused on the big, beautiful (and hopefully scenic) picture. Perfect gait, cane, walker, or even wheelchair… I will be an inspirational speaker and author, as I *know* he will be as well. We’re both headed that way. Having approached it from rather different directions, we’re on branches of the same tree. I know a number of couples who support each other through their speaking and leadership journeys; to be a member of a dynamic team pushes me harder to pursue my own personal goals. At the very least, I will always have someone to fill in my CL (Competent Leadership) manual when/if I forget to bring it to a meeting!

Distinguishing a Club

Brain Food

After a year serving as a Club Coach, it finally appears that the club I am working with stands a shot of becoming distinguished this year. This means something amazing for me – distinguishing a club is my final achievement needed to obtain my ALS (Advanced Leader Silver) award. Combining this with my ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold) = DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster). Although this will be an incredible achievement for myself, I want it for them just as equally (possibly even more). Toastmasters International is SO much more than giving speeches: we communicate, we lead, we network, and we develop incredible friendships. My 3.5 years as a member of Toastmasters have been some of the most rewarding of my life.