Time to Write

The question of 'What to write' was addressed in past post. This time I want to touch another, perhaps more serious topic: 'when to write'.

Not finding time to write your next project speech is one major reason we slack in our CC goals. Give me ample time and i'll come up with some topic. But I still believe that if you have a topic in mind and you feel something about it (not even passionate), it is easier to get yourself sit and write. Therefore the first thing you need to check with yourself is: how attached I am to the topic. If the answer to it is not strong enough, give yourself more time untill you really feel like it. Or just drop it for now and think of another subject. A boring, unpassionate speech is not better than no speech.

In the next post I'll write on how to 'trick' yourself to prepare for your next speech.

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Taking it head on

Only months after I was a member of Concordia club, when I was attending an area contest, our club's senior member Emilio asked me if I could be club's VP Education. That was a surprise for me. I had never thought of being at that position although I admired the then VP Ed, Susan's dedication and hard work. In this disbelief, I asked Susan's advice. In my idea, you had to be a senior member and having completed many CTM projects (CC was known as CTM back then) to be able to take on such an important role in the execs committee. Of course I was wrong. Susan assured me that I was fit for VP Ed job. That was the beginning of my exec-level carreer at the club.

I am glad that that I took that role then because it prepared me for exposure to other experiences; something to be talked about later.

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How to start a new club

Last week a friend asked for some advice on starting a new Toastmasrer club in her community. I had the following to offer her:

It's a great idea indeed to start a new club. Your leadership skills will be polished while giving you more opportunities to practic public speaking.

There is no minimum requirement to start a new club. This will, however, give you a credit towards AL-Silver even if you haven't completed prior projects yet.

If you already have some connections where you want to host your weekly meetings (as in borough council), it'll make things easier. But if not, you will have to take the following steps that I learned from my experience of trial-and-errors:

1) do a "market research". See if u have a sizable audience.
2) talk to community leaders.
3) decide most accessable place and time.
4) contact TM high-ups (area gov etc. )
5) make a strong PR plan.
6) gather few potential members and take their commitment to join.
7) execute!!

In the end, I recommended that she visit new clubs (like SAP's) and get the real feeling of what environment is needed to get a club up and running.

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Reader's Block

Last week I wrote about Writer's Block. A friend left me a comment in Buzz (newest addition to Google's family) and suggested that I write about what he called "Reader's Block". Well, my friend, here you go.

Reader's Block, as he defined for me, is when you have so much to read that you don't know where to start. With a plethora of emails in your personal and work inbox, articles you have bookmarked to read later, books in your to-read list that you are so guilty about, and not to mention friends' facebook updates, blogs (with an exception of this one ;) ... and the list goes on, you don't know what to read first, if at all.

For a Toastmaster, at least, I know how to break this block. Their top priority should the draft of the upcoming speech! After that, read material that pertains to the speech, like what would give stories about the speech subject.

For a non-toastie, I can suggest that you read what would help you in the forthcoming activity of work/life. For example, if you are going to meet a group friends, get a quick glimpse of their facebook (or Buzz) updates. If you have a business meeting coming up, read, by all means, your office emails, and then any other document necessary.

More tips on breaking the Reader's Block in later posts.

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Writer's Block

Only second post and I m facing this daunting condition all too well known to writers: Writer's Block. So I decided to give Writer's Block a blow in the face and write /about/ it.

Writer's Block is simply(!) when a writer sits down to write a piece but ideas are blocked out and the blank computer screen stares at them.

Soon after I joined Toastmasters, I encountred this situation when I had to write my first Moment of Reflection. Though it's a small speech, a good idea is nevertheless required to have a good form.

And for CC projects... !! You not only have to come up with an initial idea but also to have enough examples and facts to build your speech.

Through time, however, I developed some tricks to avoid this monster in every writer's world. Here is one of those tricks: Start writing whatever! It doesn't matter if it's about a completely bizzarre subject, or even just random words. Once you have your fingers moving, ideas will start flowing in. Before too late you will have a crystal clear idea that you will love to write about...

... and this blog post is a living proof that this trick works! ;-)

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The Journey Begins

Some people are born with public speaking skills, perhaps. I was not one of them. My journey with Toastmasters began when a senior member of community introduced a club where people meet every week to practice speaking. He persuaded me to give it a try. I attended the first meeting and was impressed with not only the speaking power of people, but also their friendliness.

Despite all this goodness, I still was not sure if I should join. I had serious doubts about my public speaking ability and my confidence for standing in front of an audience was down low. Although I did not join right then (I wish I had), something was pulling me to this club. Finally after graduation, I came back to attend a meeting as a guest with a firm resolve to join.

My journey with Toastmasters has only continued since then. From a timid speaker to the founder of a new club, I have learned a great deal not only in the vast field of public speaking, but also in leadership and interpersonal skills, and I still have a long way to go.

In this blog, I will share with you my moments in the club, tips and tricks I learned from fellow toastmasters, and advice on leadership. I hope to learn from this blog equally as you, the readers.

My journey with Toastmasters begins from here...