5 things I've learned from my first year in Toastmasters

I'll admit that I was nervous when starting at Toastmasters and possibly not for the reasons that you'd expect. Unlike others, I didn't have a fear of public speaking. In fact, it is something that I do in a professional capacity most days. My nerves centred on whether it was the right fit for me, the feel of much of the literature was traditional very strait-laced if you will, was that the right environment for me to develop as a speaker? 

In this post, I'm going to share with you 5 key lessons I've learned from my first year with Toastmasters.

1) Importance of Deliberate Practice

Speaking in public is very much like a muscle. If muscles aren't used often enough they atrophy and are no longer useful. Regular speaking helps to break down the barriers and gets you used to speaking to an audience. But it's not enough just to be getting the reps in. The Toastmasters approach ensures that you do so in a way that you intentionally improve your speaking skills, receiving constant feedback that can be included and tested in future speeches.

2) The importance of evaluation both for you and others

One of the highlights of my Toastmasters experience has been getting almost instant feedback as to what part of speeches work and areas that could be better developed. Being able to hear the feedback and then apply learnings to future speeches can certainly aid in your development.

But feedback isn't just a one-way street. I've found that I've become much better at listening to others and providing feedback since joining Toastmasters. This is a skill that is often overlooked but I feel being able to provide useful developmental feedback is truly important.

3) My kryptonite filler word

Just like Superman has Kryptonite, I have my filler words and that is the word "so". Before Toastmasters I lived in ignorant bliss of the fact that when speaking "so" is easily my most frequently used word. I'd use it to fill pauses, I'd use it to link paragraphs - and what's worse, I didn't know that I was doing it. I'm not saying Toastmaster has eliminated this crutch, but it is now something I'm acutely aware of and working at reducing.

4) You cannot be serious

After my second speech, one of the pieces of feedback that I received was

"Why are you so serious when you speak? - think about smiling more, it will help"

I didn't think I was being serious. I had a lot going on. In my head I was concentrating on remembering the speech, making eye contact, gesturing at the right time. I hadn't taken the time to pause for a second and think - I can do all that, but it would be better to do it with a smile on my face.

When implementing this advice at my next speech a funny thing happened, the audience seemed so much more engaged and seemed to be smiling back. Oh, don't we wish that smiling had been the only thing that was contagious over the past few years!

5) Conditions when I speak best

Through my Toastmasters journey, I've also learned some of the conditions that help me to deliver better speeches. My 3 ingredients for success aren't exactly earth-shattering but they are the conditions that work for me.

• Well rested: can be a challenge with two girls under 4 but it does make a difference in being able to put the requisite energy and enthusiasm into a speech.
• Knowledgeable: I speak better when I have a deep knowledge of my subject matter. That sounds very basic but I'm now aware of bad habits I get into if I'm not completely confident in my subject. My volume tends to tail off towards the end of sentences greatly impacting my diction and comprehension.
• Correct level of preparation: Some people can wing a speech and make it sound amazing first time. I am not that person. I need to get in my reps in prior to stepping up to the lectern. However, I've also noticed that there is such a thing as being over-prepared and things start to sound a bit stale. I've started to write speeches a week or so in advance and give them 'time to breathe' and found this to help.

Summary

My experience in Toastmasters has helped improve my speaking both personally and professionally. I've enjoyed and shared the experience with a very diverse group of people. I even found myself competing in the Humorous Speech competition, winning through to Area level. A fact that my friends found hilarious (which may indicate they don't think I'm cut out for a career in stand-up)

If your New Year's resolution was to improve your public speaking, I'd strongly recommend looking into your local Toastmasters Club. There are also a several clubs meeting online, meaning that distance no longer limits your ability to develop your public speaking skills.

If you do happen to be based in the East Midlands, East Midlands Speakers is running a Guest Night on 24th January at the Clockwarehouse Shardlow and we'd love to have you along to find out more about Toastmasters.