"READ ALL ABOUT IT! You’ve got the words to change a nation, but you’re biting your tongue, you’ve spent a lifetime stuck in silence, afraid you’ll say something wrong, if no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?"
Whenever I hear the words from Emile Sande’s song “Read all about it”, I am reminded of my own struggle with speaking out loud in public, whether in a social occasion or within the work context. I can do it and often do, its now part of my work, but it has not always been easy. In those early days, and sometimes now, I was torn between having the presence of mind to choose the correct words in order to communicate what I wanted to say and the demands of my inner shy, fearing and anxious self. Two equally motivated mistresses constantly vying for my attention.
Click HERE to hear Emilie Sande’s song “Read all about it”.
Now there are lots of remedies in the world of personal development / coaching to address the above issue around speaking in public. After all we weren’t born with these limitations, they were acquired on our journey through life. So if they were acquired they can be unacquired or replaced by more useful behaviours. The various strategies range from hypnotherapy, EFT (emotional freedom technique), Sedona method, coaching, counselling, commercial public speaking trainings, timeline therapy, NLP etc. etc. All these strategies work when applied with rapport and with loving kindness. Having dined at the table of most of these techniques I do love them, and we at ACT are practitioners in most of those strategies.
However, I would like to share with you another exciting strategy that is equally as effective at addressing the above public speaking issue. This additional strategy combines three elements:
- A training element, i.e. guidance on how to construct effective speeches, talks, presentations or even just every day communications.
- An opportunity element, i.e. the time and space to practice and hone your public speaking skills.
- The support element, i.e. the support of understanding, compassionate, passionate and encouraging peers. This is the key element! It provides a safe environment to grow, make mistakes, make successes and above all have fun in. Every speech is valued, respected and applauded! In what can be a nerve racking and stressful situation, having the support of your peers is really the difference that makes the difference.
This alternative strategy is called “Toastmasters” and embodies all three of the above elements. “Toastmasters” is a not for profit organisation, it is a speaking club , DEDICATED to helping you find your voice, so that you can participate more fully in society and have your song heard. At Toastmasters they get you speaking with confidence in public. Now when I say they, I mean you and a bunch of like minded individuals working together, following a tried and tested process, practicing the art of speaking in public. It is a club run by the members for the members.
Click HERE to visit Toastmasters International for full details and click HERE if you are near the location of ACT the organisation and would like to find details of the local Thamesdown Speakers club.
I personally joined Toastmasters to take advantage of all the aforementioned elements, as part of my personal development. Toastmasters has helped me and is helping me be even more effective at communicating within the ACT course, coaching etc.
Now I do have to address the name of the organisation “Toastmasters”. It can be off putting for some and for others a draw. When I think of Toastmasters I think of “masters of ceremony” akin to town criers! A rather old fashioned image pops into my mind. If that reaction is the one you have too, then don’t worry. Toastmasters is more than that. It’s a modern speaking club. Remember it is dedicated to helping you find your voice and is there for you in whatever context you require it. It meets you where you are at. I am a member of the Thamesdown Speakers club and have found it to be relaxed, friendly , supportive and great fun! Nothing old fashioned about it at all. I love it 😊
In this blog I have only touched the surface of what Toastmasters can offer. With respect to public speaking Toastmasters has the capacity and potential to take you to wherever you want to be. Whether it is to speak confidently in your personal lives (best man speeches, eulogies, interviews, etc.) or in your professional lives. In the professional context Toastmasters can show you how to engage your audience, inspire, coach /mentor and motivate, so that you and your team achieve the success you deserve. It is all there. You may wish to enter the international speech competitions or just be satisfied in enjoying the club nights. At the club nights you will get to stretch those linguistic talents of yours and have fun with ice breaker word games, impromptu two minute talks, practice evaluation and feedback, as well as pre-prepared 7 minute speeches.
(Note: 4 million people like you have been helped by Toastmasters since 1924, in 15,900 clubs in 142 countries.).
So in conclusion, what have you to loose? and more importantly what have you to gain ? Get in contact with Toastmasters using these links: Toastmaster International and the Thamesdown Speakers club. You will find in the links a full comprehensive description of what Toastmaster is and what it can offer. They will be more than happy to hear from you and will warmly welcome you into the exciting adventure of words, imagination and your own individual expression.
What’s even better, it is ridiculously inexpensive and you can even attend the meetings as a guest for free, to make sure, it is right for you. You can just sit and listen or take part in some of the word games.
And finally, in anticipation of hearing you singing your song, here’s some concluding inspiring words from Emily Sande’s 1“Read all about it”.
1You've got a heart as loud as lions So why let your voice be tamed? Maybe we're a little different There's no need to be ashamed You've got the light to fight the shadows So stop hiding it away Come on, come on I wanna sing, I wanna shout I wanna scream 'til the words dry out So put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraid They can read all about it Read all about it!
1Read all about it was written by Sandé, Professor Green, Iain James, Tom Barnes, Ben Kohn and Pete Kellehe
