Revenge of the Gamer

In August of 2010 I made a horrifying realization.  I’d allowed my social skills to atrophy to the point where I avoided conversations.  I was terrified to speak in public, and did my best to escape notice wherever possible.  I skipped picnics, potlucks and work functions…instead staying home alone or hanging out with my friend Jeff.

I was becoming a hermit and it terrified me.  So I posed my MCCC Challenge to myself.  I resolved that I would improve things, rediscovering the outgoing Chris who’d gone missing in 2007 or so.  That was just over a year ago, so I’ve decided to post the results of my challenge.    

Shortly after making that post a co-worker of mine, Nora Guy, made a Facebook post about wanting to check out Toastmasters.  For those unfamiliar with the group it was nothing to do with toast.  It teaches people to master public speaking and leadership.

Nora and I checked out a couple of clubs and in October of 2010 we joined Toastmasters Club #182.  This was immensely challenging for both of us, because it meant getting up in front of 30+ strangers and speaking off the cuff without knowing ahead of time what the topic was about.  It meant getting over my social anxiety and showing up at a public event every week.

Roughly a year later I can’t even begin to express the impact this group has had on my life.  Since joining I have become a more powerful speaker than I’d ever dreamed possible.

I’ve given 10 speeches in front of nearly 30 people, and I’ve received a Best Speaker ribbon for eight of them. When I speak I no longer mumble.  I no longer hem or haw or meander.  I command attention.  I hold audiences in the palm of my hand.

My wall of Toastmaster ribbons

Toastmasters has changed everything.  I’ve learned that public speaking is an art, and I’ve become proficient at it.  In another year or two I will have mastered it, and I firmly believe that I can become a professional speaker.

It has given me tremendous confidence.  I no longer fear public speaking.  I don’t avoid eye contact.  I no longer run from social events.  Quite the opposite.  I actually look forward to them.  So much so that at a recent RCU staff meeting I stood up and spoke in front of 200+ people.

in July I joined another social organization called Business Network International.  I meet and network with 30+ people each week, which includes standing up and giving a 60 second presentation about my business.  Today I had to take it a step further and give a 10 minute presentation.  You know what?  I knocked it out of the park.

After the meeting nearly everyone congratulated me.  Several said it was the best presentation they’d ever seen.  We had a visitor from another chapter who told me she’s seen hundreds of presentations, but none had affected her like mine.

I would never have had the courage to join BNI were it not for Toastmasters, and I cannot over-emphasize how amazing the organization is.  It’s given me courage, confidence and eloquence and it can do the same for anyone who joins. 

So to sum things up- I’d say I blew away my MCCC Challenge.  I’ve become more confident than I’ve ever been.  I am a better speaker than I’ve ever been.  You know what the best part is?  I’m just getting started!