In the last installment, I introduced the topic of public speaking and how scary it can be for many people. Remarkably, it is feared more than death!
To truly master the first two initial goals I outlined last time, you really need an outlet that will allow you to get in front of others on a regular basis and speak. We don’t learn to speak well by reading, we learn by speaking. Theorem is fine up to a point. But in this case, practicum is how you succeed in mastering the art of public speaking.
I recommend joining some kind of speaking class at a community college or, even better, a local speaking club that will provide you access to speaking more frequently. I highly recommend finding a Toastmasters club in your area. There should be a few options for you to choose from. Start by going to www.toastmasters.com, type in your zip code and see a list of the clubs operating near you.
In a Toastmasters club, you should have an opportunity to speak in some fashion nearly every week. There are roles you can fill that will stretch you, there’s mentoring by senior members that will support you, there are manuals to guide you and speaking roles to strengthen your skills.
I’ve been a Toastmaster for a couple of years now and it has been a great benefit to me in my job and life goals.
