Till the Ship Docks: My Toastmasters Journey Reflection

Imagine standing on the edge of a dock, the crisp sea breeze kissing your face as you peer into the vast expanse of the unknown. That's how it felt when I first joined Toastmasters, pretty much like embarking on a voyage—a voyage into the sea of learning, growth, and fellowship.

Unlike a luxurious maiden voyage, my journey began with simplicity, just like Jack winning a ticket on the Titanic. A friend's suggestion was my ticket. I am here after a friend of mine introduced this amazing organization as speaking used to be my nightmare. But, I wanted to be defined by the things that I love, not the things that I’m afraid of.

Despite the fear of public speaking that had held me back, I stepped onto the ship. I was determined to be defined by my passions, not my fears. And so, with a mix of anticipation and courage, my Toastmasters journey set sail.

It started in October 2019, when I stepped onto the ship, ready to get into the sea with a dream to be a person who is able to communicate my ideas clearly. It sounds simple, but this is really something I was struggling with.

So, what has been the highlight of the 4-year voyage?

Besides some enriching lessons I learned from my mentors and peers during completing this pathway, I found two vital lessons have become clear.

Firstly, confidence is the key. I still remember the first time I met my mentor, I was asking how to speak clearly. The answer was simple, she said, “it all starts with you, your confidence because you will miss the chance to captivate the audience while you’re speaking with hands shaky.”?

Then I was asking, how to be that confident. Again, the answer was quite simple. She said, “it starts with your mindset, Jefri, embrace the mindset that everyone is a unique individual and no one is flawless. Speak with your own best without thinking too much about what people will criticize.”?

“Another thing you need while you build that skill is a safe space to practice. And you are in the right place, as you’re now a Toastmasters.”

That has transformed not just my speaking skills but my overall self-assurance because by having those perspectives, I could progressively see myself being able to speak with emotions in a clearer manner than before. It’s still a surprise that I got placed at the Area contest which may not be special for some people but it is for me because that was my very first time speech contest in my life.

Secondly, I've realized the importance of seizing opportunities promptly.

A few months after I embarked on this journey, I got a surprising call from my past club president cause she out of nowhere invited me to be the Vice President of Public Relation (PR). She humbly told me everything I needed to know about this role when I still had no idea how I should perform.

Since she was so encouraging, I couldn't say no, so I came with yes. But, as I reflected on the persuading process and the opportunity given to me, I gotta respect it. Then, I took that responsibility seriously.

Despite having zero experience in designing and managing social media, I learned the trends, leveraged technology on how to design easily and observed how to communicate through visual content. It took me a while, but I would say it was worth it so well.?

It might be a minor role for some people, but for me even from a small task we can learn huge things and grow. It’s still unbelievable for me to achieve the Division awards for what I did, as the most inspiring PR which then led me to get a call from a District leader, inviting me to be an assistant graphic designer within the PR team.

It was a huge chance for me to work with some friends in a safe yet diverse environment. So, I’d say that opportunities were stepping stones, and treating them seriously has enriched my Toastmasters journey.

As of now, as I am currently back in school, the skills and lessons I learned in Toastmasters really helped me make exciting experiences.?

In the realm of academia, the power of storytelling is often underestimated. However, the lessons I've gleaned from Toastmasters have been transformative.

Being able to weave narratives into my presentations has elevated my ability to communicate complex ideas. It's like taking my audience on a journey rather than bombarding them with information. I've noticed that the impact is profound; people remember stories far more than dry facts.

This skill has not only made my presentations more engaging but has also enhanced my capacity to connect with my diverse audience. Whether presenting research findings, proposing ideas, or simply sharing insights, the art of storytelling has become a cornerstone of my academic communication arsenal. Toastmasters, in teaching me the art of storytelling, has not just refined my presentations; it has empowered me to be a more effective communicator in the academic arena and beyond.

I know this ship will soon dock as I complete the path, but another voyage will be set soon since this is a lifelong journey. Another voyage on a new path already awaits me. I’m super excited to step onto a new ship, to create a new story and excitement.

I’m beyond grateful for everything I experienced throughout my voyage, for the opportunities, fellowships, sacrifice, stories and laugh, whatever the future of mine and my club -Surabaya Heroes, would look like, this will forever be the first dock of my ship to set sail!

Wondering what this organization is all about? Go check www.toastmasters.org