Archive for November, 2008

Desire to Teach

Author: rebecca

Nov 24

It is becoming apparent to me that I have a desire to teach. I’m not entirely sure what this would encompass. Children? Teens? Adults? What would I teach? Perhaps I would excel in a corporate trainer role? After completing the OMDP program at Conestoga College some years back, I considered the Teacher/Trainer of Adults program as a possible interest. However, I have considered many different things to hold interest for me – Law, Travel Consulting, Religious Studies – I am all over the spectrum. I am truly an ENFP in this regard.

I am also intrigued by the idea of teaching English in a foreign country at some point in my life. Of course, this is a bit loftier than the options that are available currently at my fingertips – teaching yoga and/or Reiki. Sometimes the most obvious answers are the most difficult to see. As such, I need to concentrate on finishing my YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) before embarking on another journey. I need to be more focused on finishing the things I start, rather than excitedly jumping to the next/new project.

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Filed under: Teaching

Conquering Fear

Author: rebecca

Nov 17

When it comes to successful public speaking, fear needs to be abolished. Trepidation, absolutely. Nerves, sure. But fear? What’s the worst that can happen? Sure, you could stutter or stumble over your words, or you could draw a complete blank, but in the general scheme of tragedy, it pales in comparison to a comet hurling itself at the earth or the DOW taking a horrific dive. When I am in front of a room full of people, I feel omnipotent. I also recognize the fact that I may blunder and I simply acknowledge the thought and release it. I used to be a person who memorized – writing and rehearsing, quite machine-like. I found this to induce pressure and stress. Now, I am working to master the art of speaking off the cuff. There is always another thought to be expressed, another word to exit my lips. There is no pressure to remember, but rather to recollection and be creative. It was incredibly flattering to hear the comments from my fellow club members after (yet another) off the cuff speech – that I would be a fantastic teacher; that I would have made history fun (I gave a speech on recollecting the past). I wonder what my life would have been like if I would have made teaching my profession…after all, this is one (of many) suggested professions for an ENFP.

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The Word is Mightier than the Pen

Author: rebecca

Nov 10

While the pen might be mightier than the sword, I believe in the power of the spoken word to transcend the quill and inkwell. I recently marked my six-month anniversary of joining Toastmasters, the non-profit educational organization that helps its to members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.

Joining this organization has been a phenomenal experience thus far. I have always been comfortable (and thrived on!) the endorphin rush from speaking in front of copious amounts of people, and the courage required to speak frankly and off the cuff. I have become more comfortable dealing with the challenges of difficult persons and situations in the business world, and in expressing myself with grace, ease, and eloquence. Over the past half a year, I have learned two very important things:

  1. I am a talented speaker
  2. I have so much more to learn

With a mixture of pride and humility, I am looking towards the future – achieving my CC (Competent Communicator) designation after my 10th speech (I am currently working on #6) and selecting my specialization of Story Telling. In the past 6 months, I have delivered 5 speeches, won a fair number of ribbons for “Best Table Topics”, participated in club and regional competitions, and spoken at the University of Waterloo.

Going forward, I am looking forward to exercising the power of the spoken word, and offering my advice and encouragement to those who are looking to improve their skills in this forum.

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Filed under: Speaking