Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

Yet another thought provoking post by Seth Godin.  This time the post refers to using price as a competetive advantage.  It was the closing line that hit me though…

The scalable, profitable strategy is to change the game, not to become the most average.

If you want to become the best speaker you can be, you need to stop doing what everyone else does.  A New Year is fast approaching.  Use 2010 as an opportunity to redefine yourself.  Here are some ideas:

1. Compete in all the Toastmasters contests.  Yes, even Table Topics.
2. Prepare.  Prepare your speech.  Prepare for the contests.  Talk to the speaker before the meeting.
3. Join an advanced club.  Start a new club that pushes the envelope.
4. Present outside your club.  At a job group, Kiwana’s, Rotary, etc.
5. Push the limits of all of the Toastmaster roles.  Act out the Quote of the Day, do a backwards meeting, etc.

You left your comfort zone when you joined Toastmasters.  You regained it by being a member for a year or two.  Now is the time to push the envelope again.  Join me, and have fun!

Lessons from a dentist visit by Angela DeFinis.

• Self Awareness
• Creativity
• Anxiety
• Renewal
• Shine Every Time

Check out the article here.

Being in the throes of the Holiday season, I am focusing a lot of my time on giving. Gifts for my family and friends, the gift of time for worthy causes, and the gift of feedback to public speakers.

I have identified three types of feedback gifts that it is possible to give to experienced speakers:

1. The Re-gift – the evaluator passes along wisdom they have received with little thought.  Evaluators hear that vocal variety is important, so they pass this nugget on without regard to whether it would actually improve the speech or the speaker.  Not all speeches would be better with more vocal variety.
2. The Thoughtful Gift – the evaluator puts a lot of thought put into this gift.  If the speaker really takes to heart this feedback they will definitely be a better speaker…in your opinion.  Their speech will be dynamic and compelling if only they used the active voice.  Not all speakers would be better if they took your advice.
3. The Gift of Receiving – the evaluator does not give this gift directly.  Instead, the evaluator describes gifts received from the speaker.  The focus is not on what was done well, or could be done differently, but instead on how the speaker touched the evaluator  Surely all speakers want to know how they touch their audience?

When starting out in Toastmasters, we model the behavior of more seasoned members.  We re-gift the advice we have received.

As we grow, we learn to create unique feedback based on our experiences.  This feedback can be very good and helpful to the right person.

Finally, you can transcend to a new level by not “trying” to help the other person.  Instead you, as the evaluator, express how the speaker made you feel.  The speaker is free to create their own advice from your experience.  Often experienced speakers know what techniques they used effectively and what needs work.  They need feedback that goes beyond mechanics.  If they are to become great public speakers, they need to get into the minds of their audience.

What kind of gift are you giving?

Inspired by the Public Speaking Holiday carnival.  Check it out: http://www.definiscommunications.com/blog/public-speaking-and-the-holidays/

Are they as good as the ones in the video below?  Skip to the 3 minute mark to see them…