A few years ago, my company started at Toastmasers club in our retirement
community for any staff member who wanted to participate. As the activities
director in the community, I am one of the people who is regularly on stage introducing
programs and talking in front of groups of residents. I thought, why do I need to join this program? Well,
the answer was not far from the surface, once I took a good look at myself. “Because,
I can be better!”
If you are like me, it is not a problem to
introduce a speaker, entertainer, or to speak to “my” residents… or even to a
group of fellow staff members. I use to be fearful when my boss was in the
audience, but that is not the case anymore. When I asked myself the question, “Why
join Toastmasters?” I realized that I am not be comfortable in other settings
except the one inside my community’s four walls. I also felt that I had another
weakness that could be reduced from joining the group, and that was to be sociable
in situations where I was not the leader.
Toastmasters has a section of their meetings
where members are asked to speak on their feet, called Table Topics. I found that
this section of the meeting to be very helpful to me, because there are many
times when I feel that unless I speak to the residents about a recent activity,
their health, family or community issues, that I am uncomfortable in carrying
on a worthwhile conversation. And of course, in a social setting outside of
work, it is the same thing.
As you start the new year, I ask you, how can
you step your game up? Have you taken a look at yourself honestly and found an
area where you are uncomfortable or possibly even afraid? Those are areas
within you that you can address this year! I’m sure you are great already – but
in 2013, you can be better! For me, I will continue to work on my public
speaking and one-one exchanges, along with other things. What will it be for
you?
Joining the ToastMasters club at work has been an
awesome opportunity for my personal and professional growth. Here are some free
resources
from ToastMasters that I found on-line. Also, take a look into the Resources for Activities Directors tab at the top of my blog for some books on becoming a better
speaker, which are available through Amazon.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic. - Unknown
Really great and interesting. keep your good work dude....
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HI Addy, thanks for the comment. I'm not really sure why you would put the link re : dance classes here...guess you do have to face fears to start that .... I do have a post about dancing where it would have fit better.....but please keep in mind that this is a place to share ideas that work in retirement community's activities programs - not a place to promote other businesses - unless you can take enough time to tell us, the readers why it is related.
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