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During
the Table Topics portion of the Toastmasters' meeting, do you feel
an initial rush of terror when you are selected to speak?
Here's how fellow Toastmasters control it and how they quickly
organize their thoughts for a response.
Toastmaster Janice, CTM: I think any feeling of
"terror" goes away over time. There is a certain level of
nervousness when I am called on to speak,
but it is better now. The
control factor comes into play when I begin to get my mind working
on the question. There
is no room for terror. Organizing
my thoughts is a challenge. The coup for me is to find a start. I
first try to find a beginning, then plan my thoughts as I go.
Toastmaster Mitch:
My goal at Toastmasters has been to improve on my impromptu
speaking. That's why I've had so few prepared speeches.
Initially I would be scared, but not so anymore.
My challenge is to figure out what to say that would be
interesting and enjoyable to the listeners.
Toastmaster
Paula, ATM: I used
to feel an initial rush of terror but don't so much anymore.
I would say it is more of an adrenaline rush, a type of fight
or flight response, and it's more positive than before.
Now it is actually exciting to be selected to do Table
Topics. There are a couple of things I do when I have not ever put
any thought into the subject. First,
I would repeat the question. It
gives me time to focus. Another
thing is to just open my mouth and begin moving it, because I
usually will get to a point and then make it.
Another thing I will do is free association.
I know that this may not be an organized approach, but it
helps me come up with something to say.
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