Toastmasters helps a lot with public speaking fears

Thanks! Good suggestion.

Many speakers share their own experiences and story. But this is exactly what I don't like - speaking about myself makes me feel very uncomfortable. One experience I’ll never forget was when I attended a speaking event by Lorne Sulcas, better known as The Big Cat Guy. I thought he was totally unique and different. His message was not of people to people. But a message far bigger than us. With his keynotes, he shares the million-year old success lessons from Nature that opened the audience’s eyes … very wide. He started a research project, to study the area’s lion, leopard and cheetah populations. What he describes is every day’s immense beauty. But behind Nature’s awesomeness, is a constant struggle for survival in the face of massive change and competition – for every species, even at the top of the food chain.

If you have the story, the lesson is always there. It makes it so easy to refer back to and ask: “What do I need to do now?” And instantly you’d be able to recall. And this is what big organisations do to get their people to act and grow. And they do so with enthusiasm. Because it’s the story that they’ve engaged and has become a part of them. I guess this is what true motivation does.
In my mind, he will be forever remembered. Go have a look if you wish. And so this has helped me when I joined Toastmasters.I was so privileged to get Lorne to mentor me. For no reason. Just because he like to help people. 1.) To tell inspirational stories of other people. 2.) practise practise practise. It get easier every time. Toastmasters is a GREAT organization to use as avenue towards developing speaking skills.

When you think about it tiger has added 9 or 10 more holes in one to his record.

Toastmasters is a great forum for practicing your public speaking. There are some issues with the program and especially the transition to pathways program. However, the most important thing is the opportunity to speak in front of people who will not be judgmental and will provide constructive criticism. This will build up your confidence a little bit at a time. You can also ask for feedback, and everyone is there to learn.

Often in your area there are multiple clubs - and every club is different. Try a few and see which works, you can often have membership in multiple clubs.

Hello again everyone! Glad to see this post/topic still here.

Toastmasters also helps to teach leadership, in addition to communication, if we take on leadership roles such as officer positions in the club, and district level positions.

I've been continually active in TM for 6 years now (and a few before that but took a break). It's so much better b/c now I do have some fears with speaking, but sometimes I don't also. And since I am in TM I know that I'm overcoming my fears the right way. So I'm never worried now that I'm taking care of this issue. Because I am taking care of it, and it's so much better than before TM.