Wendy Ireland
A few years ago, while navigating a tough life-change, I found myself at the river. The river is a great metaphor for life, isn’t it?
I walked into the river to feel the pull of the current. The water, flowing down from the Rocky Mountains, froze my lower legs within seconds. I turned around to walk back to shore, but instead, I plugged my nose and fell straight backwards.
I had no towel or change of clothes, what was I thinking?
But, the shock seemed to open my mind to a new thought – Why don’t I share my gift of story-telling in the form of public speaking. I didn’t think about whether I could do it. I jumped in and booked my first speaking event. It went really well. So, I booked another one, and another. I faltered and failed.
Fear set in and I let my dream float away.
Have you wanted to play the piano without any lessons, or pick up a baseball bat and hit one out of the park – the first time, or become an expert without taking any training? That. Was. It! If I wanted to be a public speaker, I needed to learn and practice public speaking.
Where on earth could I do that?
I found out about Toastmasters on the web. Everything I read and saw led me to believe that Toastmasters was for accomplished employees who wanted to enhance their skills – not for me, a creative writer and full time mother who wanted to speak and share stories with humour and authenticity.
The idea of joining Toastmasters increased my fear to proportions that were not compatible with life. So, to avoid the need for resuscitation, I avoided Toastmasters — for months. Eventually my internal motivation to become better pushed me forward. On the drive to my first meeting, my thoughts went like this… I can’t do this – what if they don’t like me – I can’t breathe – my chest hurts – what if I’m having a heart attack?
Somehow I made it into the meeting, and once I realized there was no tryout —no comparison – and lots of space for individual differences, I joined Literally Speaking Toastmasters. It became a place to safely take risks and move at my own pace. Members challenged me to be my best through meaningful evaluation. Evaluation is a part of Toastmasters I did not know about going in – once I learned about it, I wanted to slink out the door and never return.
However, evaluation and feedback have been game-changers for me. We receive feedback at Toastmasters, but we also learn how to give it. I have been a Toastmaster for a year and the speech practice together with feedback has helped me grow in ways I didn’t anticipate. Plus, giving evaluations has improved my listening skills; I pay attention to the aspects of another’s speech that work – and I take note on ways to enhance my own speeches, if it resonates.
I have found a supportive place to practice public speaking. But it is much more. My mentor works with me on speech development and delivery. I’ve found a leadership role that engages my strengths and builds confidence. And doing different roles at the meetings makes me more comfortable being up front.
But the thing I enjoy most about my Toastmasters group is the people – and it’s not just my Club, I have heard this over and over again. The ability to build yourself in a supportive environment with people who also want to strive toward their best, creates positive relationships and meaningful interactions. It creates joy – who doesn’t need more joy in their life?
When I think back to the day I stood in the river – I wonder – Was it crazy to plunge into the icy water? – OR was it was a sign of courage and will. I needed those qualities to overcome my fear of joining Toastmasters and pursuing public speaking.
A river doesn’t get to where it’s going by standing still.
Literally Speaking Toastmasters 