How I rediscover Toastmasters

It is a place where you push your boundaries! Be it public speaking, leadership skill development, impromptu speaking, networking, even confidence! That’s what Toastmasters is! My Toastmasters journey actually began 30 years ago. Young and ambitious, wanted to do so much and speaking was one of my greatest strengths already. So when I was asked to join Everest toastmasters then, I eagerly agreed and started preparing for my Icebreaker. Compiling my short life was not an easy task! There was so much to say and so much to not disclose. With the help of my mentor, I prepared the speech and got it delivered. I was able to bag the ‘Best Speaker’ award, the little wooden figure!! But soon after that everything came to a halt as suddenly there was no time for hobbies and all the effort was being put in achieving the dreams of doing something in life. The passion for speaking took a back seat and the responsibilities of work and raising a child took precedence. I did not even realize how and where the next 25 years passed! And again after all those years, there was plenty of time to be utilized. Again the urge to pursue the art of speaking started taking the front seat and this time I went to Shangrila Toastmasters as a guest, “just to see” is what I told myself! Once again, I was back in familiar surroundings with people prepared to give speeches, some geared to evaluate and others to encourage. How could I just sit and do nothing? I took part in Table Topics, where guests could take part. Once again the passion yielded the result and I got good feedback and the Best Speaker award! I was happy that I was going to be a Toastmaster once again, fulfilling my desire of giving prepared speeches and getting constructive feedback! But again there was a setback and I could not do anything for the next 4 years!! The COVID pandemic brought a lot of obstacles to the world, but for me it came with the opportunity to challenge myself and I joined Bodhi Toastmasters!! And, that’s when my life changed! As in any Toastmasters club, in Bodhi too, you get to learn to face people, how to manage people, how to encourage people, how to evaluate. You can compete and get advice from experts on your skills. In one word it's "EVERYTHING” we need in this professional world! Most of the people who sell specific training, courses, seminars still need to learn how to actually provide people with benefits instead of continuously selling hopes and dreams. Toastmasters is different in this aspect, it doesn't try to sell you anything except the fact that you will reap true benefits by continuously improving. Your fellow toastmasters are not your competitors rather they are the ones who help you and take you ahead. Therefore, if you take my suggestion, do join Toastmasters – don’t wait as I did for the longest period of my life. Enrich, learn, grow, develop, and contribute to your life and to the lives of others in the fraternity.