One of the ways that many new Toastmasters get tripped up is that they try to fix everything all at once. Maybe they say ah or um a lot. It could be that they talk to fast. Many people who have accepted that they need help, figure out a whole bunch of things that they want to improve about themselves.
STOP!
If you want to improve in any pursuit, then you need to listen up. Stop trying to fix everything at once. When you are speaking, try to focus on one area at a time that you would like to improve. Whether it is a physical speech characteristic such as ums or mental such as weak introductions, pick one and practice until you have improved to the level you are trying to obtain.
That brings up a naughty word, practice. Many people see me speaking and they say, “How can I speak like you.”
My response is, “Practice.”
It is not about just the club. Speaking once or twice a month is not going to help you improve. When you are trying to get really good, then you need to practice everyday. Whether it is in front of a mirror, a video camera, or your cat…you need to practice that one thing until you are improved.
Speaking is a muscle and the more you strengthen that muscle, the stronger of a speaker you become.
About the Author: My Toastmasters Blog is written Chris Elliott. Chris serves as a leader for supply chain and international non-profit organizations. He enjoys uses his knowledge and experiences during his speaking engagements, workshops, consulting projects, and one-on-one coaching sessions. The result—connecting people and empowering change. If you would like information on how you can bring Chris to speak to your club or organization, please click here.
When practicing I often will put -um- Teddy Bears around the room. (We have a lot of Teddy Bears…OK) These work great for practicing eye contact. Really. Of course video and or record the sessions so you can save those off-the-cuff gems you come up with (and too often quickly forget) when practicing.