Learnings of a Toastmaster

On March 20th 2016, I attended my last contest (at least for the foreseeable future) in Toastmasters. It was somewhat poetic justice that my four year journey in Toastmasters which started with a contest ended with another one. My journey in Toastmasters had come a full circle and I was proud that I was walking out with my head held high. More importantly this guy who had stumbled into Toastmasters all alone was walking out with a group of friends. Nostalgia has no place in life if it doesn't lead to wisdom and today I look back at my Toastmaster's career to recount some of the most important lessons I learnt while establishing myself as one of the premier competitors on the Toastmasters circuit.

1. "Start Afresh": I was a successful orator at both the state and national levels during my college days before I joined Toastmasters after a lengthy break. My results in Toastmasters initially were way below par. Nothing seemed to work. That's when I realized I still had a 'past champion hangover' and wasn't doing enough to hone my skills and prove myself. I decided to let go off the past and start afresh. This new found focus steadily improved my results. I was no longer competing with a 'Been There Done That!' approach. If I competed as much as I did in the last few years its only because I started afresh every time irrespective of whether I won or lost.
2. "Have a Goal": Toastmasters is a self learning course which involves an investment in both time and money. I  realized very quickly I would be wasting both if I didn't set a goal for myself. My very first goal in Toastmasters was to finish my speeches on time. Yes you heard it right it was not to become a District Champion or a World Champion but to finish my speech before the red flag ever came up. This was because I was making a habit of getting disqualified on time. The next goal I had was to slow down my rate of speech. I figured small measurable goals which could be tracked over time would be more helpful than large unrealistic ones. Once I realized I was done contesting I set a goal to become a Chief Judge and worked hard to learn all that was required for the role. Bottom line, learning never stops so set yourself learning based goals which will constantly challenge and improve you.
3. "Advice comes from the most unexpected sources": I was minutes away from my District Table Topics final and was walking along the long corridor to the venue when I ran into a veteran toastmaster who immediately greeted me and said "Son just before you go up onto the stage do remember to breathe." Those words stayed in my mind and when my number came up I just did as he said. A sudden calm came over me and I attempted the table topic in a relaxed manner which resulted in a podium finish. So next time keep your ears open, the next advice you get might just make your day.
4. "The stage doesn't matter": July 19th 2015, I went up on to the stage for my last speech project on the ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver) manual. The speech was appropriately titled "The Last Act". I addressed a small gathering of toastmasters who were kind enough to give me a rousing reception once I concluded my speech. Many months later I had the opportunity to address 1000 odd people on the District Stage as the test speaker. This speech was successful too but what made me more happy was the fact that my energy and enthusiasm remained the same whether there were 10 or 1000 people in the audience. This was probably because some of my best speeches were given in half-empty halls with very few people. The numbers didn't mean as much to me as the gratification I saw in people's eyes after my speech concluded. So the stage didn't matter the people did. I felt my speech was a success if at least one person who heard the speech was satisfied. So speak from your heart irrespective of the venue or the gathering, the rest will follow.
5. "Practice what you preach": Last August I took part in a 5K run. I started off with great zeal but I was all out of gas by the half way mark. I was really tired after a long week and felt there was no shame in quitting the race at that point. Just then I remembered a speech which I gave  about how quitting is never an option when your dream is in sight. I always wanted to take part in a long distance run and here I was squandering the opportunity and going against everything I espoused. I somehow willed myself to finish that run and once i finished the run a strange happiness overcame me. I not only answered a life long dream but also lived up to what I said. Nobody checks whether you are actually practicing everything you preach but your conscience knows everything. There is no greater award than your conscience telling you it's proud of you. Remember 'If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything' so practice what you preach.
6. "Respect is the key": Simple, treat everyone you meet with respect including your fellow contestants, role players, people who walk up to you with/for advice, Respect the person and not the position because very often its the person who makes the position and not the other way round. Always have a word with people who have been waiting for your time, get back to them and fix another time if you are unable to answer them at the moment. Courtesy for the other individual earns you their respect. The few friends I have earned over the years in Toastmasters are a direct result of this principle I followed. 
7. "Your result doesn't define you": It's not uncommon to give a great speech and lose a contest. Now there are various factors why the result wasn't in your favor but the result only matters as long as you let it matter. Ask yourself whether you gave it all, ask yourself about how the audience reacted while the speech was going on, ask whether you actually improved from the previous speech, ask your friends if they felt the speech was right. If the answers to any one of these questions is positive then you don't have to be sad at all. Like life Toastmasters is a journey. No one contest can make you or break you. Ultimately the character you display always defines you more than your result. That is exactly the reason why some famous billionaires are forgotten while people like Mahatma Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam are always remembered.  

There you go my friends the 'Sapta Sutras' (Seven Rules) which helped me throughout my run here in Toastmasters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone of my Toastmasters' friends, my journey in life acquired a soul after meeting each and every one of you. Now as whether would I ever be back in Toastmasters? I never say never but for now I am happy to walk away with pride. I gave a moment and gained a memory for a lifetime. Au Revoir!

Until Next Time,

Your Ex Toastmaster,
J.J. Chaitanya