From Lance Miller:
If I am in front of an audience, that had better be the most importand group of people in my life at that moment.
Posted under General
This post was written by john on March 29, 2010
The most important group of people in your life…
Empathy, experience, and judgement
Three attributes that are essential go great feedback. Without them you are abusing a “knee-jerk ability to pontificate.”
Posted under evaluations
This post was written by john on March 19, 2010
It’s about moments and stories
Interesting video on how photography is not about megapixels, but instead about “moments and stories.” This applies to speaking. Engaging with your audience is not about mechanics. Vocal variety is nice, gestures helpful, and organization useful, but seriously, connecting with your audience is more about telling stories.
No matter what your next speech, see if you can get your message across with stories.
Posted under Public Speaking
This post was written by john on March 17, 2010
Complexity is Killing Us
Fascinating and humorous post by Scott Adams.
Think about that post when you are preparing your next speech. How complex is the information you are presenting? Does your audience need to know the information, or are you trying to impress with your knowledge about the subject?
Posted under Public Speaking
This post was written by john on March 16, 2010
Self Determination
YAPFS (Yet another post from Seth):
The best part of college is that you could become whatever you wanted to become, but most people just do what they think they must.
I feel this way about Toastmasters. It works really well when inexperienced speakers join a club. They see how experienced members make eye contact, come out from behind the lecturn, and tell stories.
The problem is that experienced Toastmasters rarely push the bounds of what is possible. Your speech can be anything. Take a risk. Be yourself.
Show us something special 
Posted under Uncategorized
This post was written by john on March 10, 2010
The Way to Win
Stop focusing on winning. Focus on blowing the judges socks off.
Posted under evaluations
This post was written by john on March 10, 2010
The wrong way to succeed at contests
People are drawn to existing competitions like moths to a flame. It’s precisely the wrong way to succeed.
I have seen this on many occasions in the Toastmasters speech contest. The allure of fame that comes from being the World Champion of Public Speaking. I have been guilty of it myself. If your goal is to win that contest for the recognition, then you will likely become quite disapointed.
Enter the contest. Have a blast. Learn something about yourself and public speaking. Winning is purely a bonus out of your control.
Posted under Public Speaking
This post was written by john on March 8, 2010
Evaluation Contest Resources
We are now in the throes of contest season at Toastmasters. My first recommendation when entering the evaluation contest is to get a copy of the judging criteria and study it. How can you be expected to meet the judges expectations if you don’t know what they are?
The second recommendation I make is to check out Andrew Dlugan’s excellent series on speech evaluations. He even gives pointers on winning the evaluation contest.
Now go and give the contests your best shot!
Posted under Toastmasters
This post was written by john on March 3, 2010
