The gift of experience

Thanksgiving time gets me thinking about the mountain of gifts I've received.  The gifts I appreciate most are those which offer memories of good experiences.  1 1/2 years ago I gave myself a gift which I did not expect to be as important to me as it turns out to be.  I signed up to improve my speaking skills.  I feared standing in front of a group.  I saw this as a huge responsibility and feared I would let my audience down.  Toastmasters has been and continues to help me be a better speaker and a better leader.  I was just looking for a way to become a better speaker.  What I got back was improvement in speaking AND the opportunity to practice my leadership skills with a group of amazing people.

Thank you, Toastmasters.
Respectfully your student,
Karen Staebell
President Eastside Madison Toastmasters
Club 1366

My adrenaline is up!

Every first and third Monday of the month my adrenaline increases. Actually every Sunday evening before these Mondays it begins.  Planning. Thinking. Looking forward to the big event.

Eastside Madison Toastmasters gets my enthusiasm going.  I'm excited about attending these meetings. WHY?

It isn't about me, really. It must be about helping others and others helping me become a better leader and speaker.  I like my co-members.  Each and EVERY person has qualities I admire. I look forward to listening and interacting with members of club 1366. I like the smiles, the jokes, the relaxed atmosphere, the conversations.... I like Eastside Madison Toastmasters.

What gets your adrenaline up, you enthusiasm going, your excitement rolling? I told you.  Now it is your turn to tell me.  I'm eagerly awaiting your feedback.

Karen Staebell
President
Eastside Madison Toastmasters
Club 1366

I am working on it, but more practice is in store

Some things are natural. Some things take practice.

The other day as I was transitioning from one meeting to the next, I was reflecting when I looked at the person approaching me.  A smile spread across his face.  Right behind him another smile spread across her face. I realized I had been smiling. This flitted my thoughts to another train, I must smile a lot.  I find people smiling at me, people I do not know. I often have to do a personal check: is something hanging from my hair? is my zipper up? is something on my face?  THEN is when I realize I am smiling at the other person.

Smiles are contagious.  Why is it when I stand in front of a group that the smile disappears? Nervousness? Focusing on getting other things right? This is an aspect I need to work on.  Relax, be myself, smile, speak.

Nothing ever happens by itself.  I do not become a better speak unless I practice.   Speaking is difficult for me, but I am getting better. I have my ups and downs, but I keep plugging away at this skill.

Take some time and think about what you need to do to meet your personal goals.
Feel free to share. Maybe if I know what you're working on, I can help encourage that habit or skill.