Finding Your Voice

Do you find yourself striving to learn or do new things?

As we aim to improve our lives, often this includes activities that we may not have previously considered. Not too long ago, I would have never considered speaking in front of groups. Speaking out is "not me" in many aspects. Now I regularly attend Toastmasters to help me do exactly that.

At a Toastmasters meeting last fall, our Area Director visited and mentioned several speech contests to consider participating in.

My immediate thought was “that isn’t for me, maybe someone else in our club will participate.”

Less than 24 hours later, I received an email from a coach I follow that talked about stepping out and doing something scary.

Little did I know that saying “yes” to the online speech competition would mean progressing through the Area and Regional competitions all the way to the District 26 championships. I certainly never imagined standing on stage at the District 26 Conference to receive a 1st place trophy.

Yet, that is exactly where I found myself this past weekend at the encouragement of several people, including a fellow Toastmasters club member, several district leaders, and my supportive husband.

Friday evening, I hesitatingly walked into the conference room at the School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. I nearly turned around before I fully entered, feeling out of place. My mind was overwhelmed, compounded by the fact that I still struggle in certain environments. Since I found I was walking crooked and the room was distorting a bit, I self-consciously simply stood still and observed.

The room was full of people; everyone involved in conversation. My plan to say hello to someone else standing alone was failing. Besides, if I stepped forward, I might weave and accidentally bump into someone. I wasn’t watching for long, however, before someone recognized me from the contest, extolling about how she loved my speech. Moments later, I found myself invited to her table. In that pivotal moment, the room full of strangers quickly became a room full of acquaintances and friends with pleasant conversations.

The weekend was full of keynote speeches, breakout sessions, and a couple of competitions. I worked in an official capacity for the talent-rich International Speech Competition. I suppose that winning one competition made me trustworthy!

Over the weekend, I managed to meet and converse with nearly all the speakers, a good number of attendees, and my fellow contestant participants. A consistent theme was present…the desire to support each other. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room with so many friendly, welcoming, and supportive people. I also don’t think I’ve been asked to take my picture with so many former strangers!

A few months ago, I thought that entering a speech competition was simply scary.

Not even two weeks ago, I would have said I had no interest in attending a conference for people working on their speaking skills.

It’s funny how stepping out can change your attitude.

I’ve found that I DO have a valuable voice. Even though I stumble over words regularly, I have the ability to speak it in a manner that wins a multi-state competition.

I’ve reminded myself that sometimes new friendships and great opportunities can be found in events you never expected to participate in.

I’ve discovered that Toastmasters isn’t just welcoming and supportive on the local level. It is welcoming and supportive on ALL levels.

Do you have a desire to find your voice?

To deliver a more powerful presentation in your work environment?

Perhaps, simply lessen your nerves in a public setting?

If you have even a niggling of a yes to any of those, I would encourage you to participate in a local Toastmasters club.

For anyone living near Durango, Colorado, our local club meets 7:15 Friday mornings at the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation, in the Main Street Mall. We’d love you have you.

You might be surprised where a visit takes you.

Of course, if going to a club feels like too much, I'd be happy to meet with you 1:1. We can develop a plan to help you find your voice and increase your comfort level.