photo credit: Doonvas

I just gave a new speech tonight for Toastmasters, called “How to Choose a Speech Topic”. I just made a recording of the speech available under the speaking section, and here is the text if you’d rather read it. Enjoy!

How many of you tend to procrastinate?

Good, so I’m not alone!

Are any of you perfectionists?

I am.

I hold myself to a very high standard and it’s usually unrealistic. Even so early in my speaking career, I feel that I need to have a professional quality speech and deliver it perfectly. Maybe some of you could relate to that.

I am here to talk about choosing a speech topic. The main thing that I want to get across to you is, don’t over think it. Just pick something from your life, and tell a story to support your point. Add some humor- it’s like putting some Tabasco sauce on your mashed potatoes. It keeps things interesting.
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photo credit: Llima

Recently, a friend asked me for some tips on being a better public speaker. I decided to post about this so that others can benefit also. I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject, I have not been speaking very long and I do not have much experience. However, people have told me that I am quite good at speaking and I have made this transformation in a very short period of time. Now, I will unveil my closely-held secrets on how I have done this.

I have read books on speaking, which have given me some great ideas. Just like anything else in life, success in speaking depends on how you picture the experience in your mind, and on your mental state at the time. I got a couple great tips reading “The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking” by Dale Carnegie. Carnegie says that when people fail at speaking, (more…)

I recently added a new section to my website entitled “speaking”. I am going to keep this updated with audio recordings of speeches I have given. I was invited to give my “Avoiding Negativity” speech in front of approximately 45 people at a non-toastmasters related event! Although I am not getting paid for this, it will be my first legitimate speaking engagement, hopefully with more to follow. I am getting my name out there!

Well, I did prepare and give my first speech for Toastmasters this week. Although the purpose for my speech was technically to share a little about myself, I turned it into a motivational speech, entitled “Where is your life heading right now?” I spoke of times in my life where I was faced with a decision, and chose to take the path least traveled, I chose to follow my dreams, contrary to what everyone around me was telling me I should do. I am sure this is at least in some part due to all of the self-help books that I read incessantly and also so many years of listing to and trying to emulate Tony Robbins. Several audience members mentioned to me that my speech had a profound effect on them.

Additionally, I have practiced the speech so much, that it seems almost a let-down that I gave the speech, and now it is all over. So, I have been giving the speech to friends of mine and anyplace where a group has been gathered to hear it. I never thought I would enjoy speaking so much. One of my friends said that he could totally see me becoming a professional speaker. I have to say that this is an interesting prospect, and it secretly excites me. I know someone who is a professional speaker. I will invite him out to lunch.