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Toastmaster: Toast means “raising a glass to celebrate,” and Master means “host,” so Toastmaster can be interpreted as ‘the person who presides over the meeting.’ Founded in California, United States, in 1924, Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization with nearly 12,000 member clubs in over 70 countries around the world. It was established as an international organization aimed at helping others learn how to speak, listen, and think, while developing their leadership and communication skills. Many people have an innate fear of public speaking; this fear prevents them from bravely standing up to express their opinions, and it also keeps them content with the status quo. No matter how difficult their work or current situation may be, they dare not cross that line. Actor George Jessel said, “The human brain starts working the moment you’re born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” Though you might think you could never do what those clever, inspirational speakers do, you can teach yourself enough about public speaking to untie the ties that hold you back. Actor George Jessel said, “The human brain begins to work hard from the moment of birth, and it never stops working.” ； But when you’re asked to stand up and speak in front of everyone, your mind goes completely blank. ”You might think it’s impossible for you to reach the level of those master orators, who are not only eloquent and wise but also highly persuasive. But you can definitely teach yourself, break free from the constraints of public speaking, and reach a new level. Public speaking is a learned skill, developed much like other skills, such as playing the piano or painting: over time, through practice and some guidance. However, due to fear, we often avoid learning opportunities, choosing to flee rather than confront the challenge. Public speaking is a skill that can be acquired over time, just like playing the piano or painting – it can be learned through training. Of course, this takes some time, as well as continuous practice and guidance from experts. However, due to an innate fear of it, we often miss out on opportunities to learn and practice, choosing to avoid the challenge rather than facing it head-on. I understand this. Avoidance was my modus operandi. I can understand that. Because in the past, escaping was also my usual trick. When I was in college, I adjusted my class schedule to avoid situations that required public speaking. The single required speech course turned into an exercise in rote memorization. While in college, I made sure not to take any courses that might involve public speaking. The only mandatory speech also turned into mechanical memorization practice*. I practiced my first speech so much that I could deliver the words like an automaton, as if I had turned into a robot as I walked to the front of the classroom. I was so nervous about giving that first speech that, once I finished, I didn’t remember having actually said those words. For that first speech, I had already memorized the content thoroughly in advance; it was as though I were a robot stepping onto the podium to speak. Even after I finished my speech, I was still extremely nervous and couldn’t even remember what I had said. As those words came out of my mouth, it was the closest thing to an out-of-body experience I’ve ever had. I survived that speech – you will too – graduated and started my career, in a promising job in finance. As I uttered each word, it was as though I were going through a painful journey full of peril. But as a result, I managed to deliver that first speech, graduated successfully, entered the financial industry, and began my promising career path. I believe everyone can do it, and you can too. Still, I avoided public speaking. As a management trainee in a large company, I often found myself around the conference table among a group of unfamiliar faces. When it came time to simply introduce ourselves around the room, I would start to sweat. It sounds so straightforward, so simple: “I’m so and so.” Why was it so hard to speak up? Even after starting work, I continued to avoid public speaking. As a management trainee at a large company, I often sit at a huge conference table, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. When everyone starts introducing themselves one by one, I start sweating all over. It sounds like what needs to be said is nothing complicated at all; it’s just things like, “My name is…, I’m such-and-such.” I wonder why I find it so difficult to speak in public It turned out that I wasn’t the only one at that table who was sweating. A Gallup Poll survey showed that 40 percent of Americans are afraid of speaking in front of an audience. This sense of anxiety is accompanied by specific physiological symptoms: sweating, trembling knees and hands, a shaky voice, flushing, a rapid heartbeat, and nausea. I later found that I wasn’t the only person who sweats when giving speeches. A Gallup poll shows that 40% of Americans surveyed are afraid to speak in front of an audience. Along with this sense of anxiety, a range of physical symptoms appear, such as night sweats, involuntary tremors in the knees and hands, a trembling voice, facial flushing, an accelerated heart rate, and nausea. Although I didn’t feel that way at the time, I was lucky to be \"strongly encouraged\" as part of my job training to join a Toastmasters club – something I would never have done on my own. My first speech helped me to speak out loud, and more importantly, it helped me to see things in a different light. During those seemingly endless five minutes of speaking, I said \"ah\" or \"um\" 33 times. You might find that hard to believe, just as I did, but the most astonishing thing was that during my training period, my company strongly advised me to join Toastmasters. Looking back, I really was lucky; without their encouragement, I doubt I would have ever taken the initiative to participate in this life-changing activity. During my first speech at Toastmaster, I finally mustered the courage to speak up, and more importantly, that speech helped broaden my horizons. In this five-minute speech that felt \"as long as a lifetime,\" I said \"ah\" or \"um\" 33 times. You might find this hard to believe, but what’s even more surprising is that I didn’t hear any of them at all. I myself had not heard a single one of them. Today, many years and speeches later, seldom uttering an “er” or “ah,” I can laugh while still feeling uneasy at that memory from long ago. Although I still get nervous – yes, every time – I have learned to control those feelings, just as you can do. And now, after so many years of giving speeches, I rarely use fillers like “ah” and “er” anymore, but thinking back to my first experience all those years ago still makes me laugh uncontrollably. Although I still get nervous now (yes, I get nervous every time), I have learned how to control this emotion. I believe you can do it too. As Walter Cronkite said, “It’s natural to have butterflies. The secret is to get them to fly in formation.” Here’s how: Walter Cronkite said, “Everyone feels nervous and anxious; the secret is to know how to overcome that nervousness and keep those ‘little drums’ in one’s heart beating in rhythm.” ”Next are the secrets to giving public speeches: Before Speech Day, preparation plays a key role in reducing the nervousness that comes before giving a speech. Just as a large wedding cannot take place without proper planning and organization, a good speech also requires careful preparation well in advance of the event. If you want to avoid excessive nervousness before speaking, preparing ahead of time is by far the most effective approach. If a wedding is not properly planned and organized, you won’t expect it to be grand, elaborate, and successful. By the same logic, if you want to give a successful speech, it is essential to prepare thoroughly days in advance. Start early. Begin the preparation work as soon as possible. The moment you find out you need to give a presentation, start working on it right away. This is not the time for procrastination. Think about the message you want to convey; write down your ideas, even if it’s just a rough draft. Start preparing from the very moment you learn you have to give a speech. It must not be delayed. Think about your topic and write down what you want to say, even if it’s just a draft. If it’s easier, start with an outline. If you want to make it simpler, create an outline first. – Always look for a subject matter – identify the main ideas that you can develop into a speech, as well as the smaller ideas that fit within that broader theme. Pay attention to details; notice the things and situations around you. For example, photographer Ron Tarver was covering New York’s African-American Day Parade. He wrote about how, while he was stuck in traffic, a woman turned to him and simply asked, “Are there really black cowboys?” Tarver wrote, “From that point on, I had a story to tell.” First, come up with the main ideas that can serve as the basis for your speech, and then incorporate the smaller ideas into that larger theme. Pay attention to the details, especially the details of life and the environment around you. For example, photographer Ron Tavo once wrote that while covering the New York National Day parade, he got stuck in traffic, and a woman turned to him and asked, \"Are there really black cowboys?\" ”Tavo wrote, “From that moment on, I had a little story to write.” ” Choose a subject you care about – select a topic that is truly important to you, one that is personal to you yet also has a universal aspect. Personal stories can convey powerful messages that are at the same time relatable to many people. A breast cancer survivor shared her experiences in a speech addressed to her colleagues; she focused not only on the medical aspects of the disease but, more usefully for the audience, on the role of friends and family in supporting those affected. The topic you choose should be closely related to you, and it should also be something that most people are familiar with or have encountered. The messages conveyed by stories experienced firsthand are not only powerful but also resonate with people. What family can do to help includes cooking a meal or giving a ride to someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer. When a patient who has overcome breast cancer shared her experience with her colleagues, she focused not so much on the medical aspects of the disease, but rather on how friends and family can assist cancer patients, such as by cooking for them or taking them to work. Even if you cannot choose the topic, personalize it. Even when the topic is fixed and cannot be chosen, try to relate it to your personal experiences. Make your speech interesting to you, and chances are it will be interesting to your audience as well. Suppose you are presenting a financial report; compare the net income to how many Hawaii vacations you could buy with it. Prepare your speech in an engaging way – at least make it interesting to you, so that others will be interested as well. Suppose you are now preparing a financial report; you can present the net income figures in another way, for example by showing how many times one could go on vacation to Hawaii with that amount of money. The money earned. Organize your speech in a logical sequence, structuring it in a way that follows a logical flow, such as by using a timeline. This will not only help you remember your speech better but also make it easier for the audience to follow it. Having a logical structure will help reduce the fear of forgetting what you need to say. Researchers at the University of Manitoba found that among those who reported feeling excessive anxiety when speaking in front of crowds, 74 percent were afraid of running out of things to say. There are many ways you can make your speech logical, such as organizing it around specific time points. With a main thread, not only can you remember what you need to say better, but the audience can also follow your train of thought more easily. Having a clear logical path can help you reduce the fear of forgetting words. Research conducted by the University of Manitoba shows that among all those who experience excessive anxiety about public speaking, 74% are afraid of their minds going blank while giving a speech. Write your speech like every great speech, divided into three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. Capture attention with the opening: a thoughtful question, a relevant anecdote, an appropriate quotation, or a challenging statement. All successful speeches are composed of these three parts. To catch everyone’s attention at the beginning, one can pose a thought-provoking question, share a relevant anecdote, quote an appropriate famous saying, or present a challenging argument, among other things. Transition smoothly into the main topic of your speech, presenting the information in a clear and easy-to-understand format. Conclude your speech with a powerful ending: a summary and conclusion, an appeal for action, or a relevant question, story, or quote. With the introduction, you should gradually move on to the main theme of the speech, delivering the information in a clear and straightforward manner. The final conclusion must be powerful; there are various ways to achieve this – through a summary statement, an appeal for certain actions, relevant questions, storytelling, or quotations, among others. Rehearse. Once you have that great speech written, the three Ps are invaluable: practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for hearing your own voice say the words out loud. Do it often: in the shower, in front of the mirror, in the car stopped at a red light. Once you’ve written out your speech, the most useful thing is undoubtedly the three words: practice, practice, and more practice. Saying it yourself is the best and irreplaceable way to listen. Practice * frequently: practice * while taking a bath, practice * while looking at yourself in the mirror, and you can also open your mouth and speak while your car is stopped at an intersection waiting for a red light. In her light-hearted article titled “Blinking in the Spotlight,” Rachel Brem, a postdoctoral researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, writes about how many times she practiced the presentation she gave to colleagues at a symposium. She practiced at home, she practiced at work in front of her boss, and she practiced in the hotel on the night before the presentation, making “eye contact with the empty sofa.” Rachel Brem, a postdoctoral researcher at a cancer research center in Seattle, wrote in her article titled “Blinking in the Spotlight”: She practiced countless times before giving her speech at the symposium ； She practiced * when she was alone at home, in front of her bosses at work, and didn’t stop even in the hotel the day before a speech. She even practiced \"eye contact\" in front of the empty sofa. Visualize success. Imagine the scene of a successful presentation. You can use low-tech methods of visualization by simply closing your eyes. Picture yourself in front of an audience, delivering your speech while being greeted with enthusiastic applause. Or opt for high-tech solutions using the latest advanced virtual reality (VR) software. Some VR applications are specifically designed for people who struggle with public speaking – including those who stutter. The simplest method, one that requires no high technology, is to close your eyes and imagine the audience applauding continuously after hearing your presentation. Speaking of another high-tech technique, you can use the latest version of virtual reality (VR) computer programs. Some VR programs are designed specifically for those who are poor at public speaking—even programs designed for people who stutter. At the Speech and Hearing Science Department at George Washington University, assistant professor Shelley Brundage is using software developed by Virtually Better, Inc. in Decatur, Georgia, to study the benefits of utilizing VR. She explains, “A computer is connected via a video cable to a headset that is currently about the size of a football helmet. Newer headsets are smaller, about the size of a camping flashlight – which enables images to be viewed.” Shelley Brundage, an associate professor in the Speech and Hearing Science Department at George Washington University, is using software from Virtually Better Company in Georgia to investigate the advantages of using VR technology. She explained, “The headphones connected to computers are currently about the size of a football; future versions should be able to be made even smaller, to the size of a headlamp, which would result in a better visual experience.” ” These 3-D images, complete with realistic sounds, can be programmed to represent a “good” audience – people who nod their heads, pay attention, and make eye contact – or a more challenging audience – those who are inattentive, with cell phones ringing, etc. These 3D images, along with simulated sound effects, can simulate a \"good\" audience; in such videos, the people will nod their heads, listen carefully, and make eye contact ； It is also possible to simulate challenging audiences: the simulated people can be distracted, phones can ring from time to time, and even people may walk around. Walking out. Participants see a virtual lectern in front of them, complete with their own notes. Looking around behind them, they can refer to their own PowerPoint presentation. Dr. Brundage says the main benefit of VR software is that, in this system, users can see a simulated lectern in front of them, with their own notes on it. Turn your head and you can still see the PPT you created. Dr. Brunda said that the greatest advantage of VR software is that “it allows you to practice in a safe environment, with everything under control.” You can turn off the system at any time to stop practicing*, and the simulated audience won’t pick any faults. ” The advantage is that \"it allows for practice in a controlled and safe environment. A virtual audience tells no tales. You can turn it off and it’s done.\" Discuss the equipment needs with the event organizer and ensure that all necessary equipment is available; reconfirm this. If you rely on slides or computer-generated images, have a backup plan. Know in advance what you will do if the equipment fails. Make sure that all the required equipment is available, and confirm this repeatedly. If you rely on slides or need to display images on a computer, you must have a backup plan. Be sure to think in advance about what to do if the equipment doesn’t work. Familiarize yourself with the setting. Get to know the place where you will give the speech. If possible, visit the location in person ahead of time; this will help you visualize a successful presentation. Know the layout of the room, stand on the podium, and test the microphone. The more familiar you are with the environment on the day of your speech, the better. If it’s possible, go to the site before giving the speech – this will assist you in imagining how successful the presentation will be. Upon arriving at the venue, understand its layout, stand at the podium, and test the microphone. The more familiar you are with the speaking environment, the better. On the day of the big presentation, wear clothes that are suitable for the occasion. Choose attire that is both comfortable and professional-looking. In Interpersonal Communication: Survey and Studies, D.C. Barnlund (1968) states, “Personal apparel is a major source of information about the identity and character of others.” He goes on to say, “It seems plausible that clothing may affect self-attitudes as much or more than observer attitudes.” Select clothes that are comfortable and have a professional appearance; research on interpersonal communication from 1968 shows that one’s appearance is a key indicator of their identity and characteristics, and the way one dresses not only affects their own confidence but also influences how others perceive them. Feel good about how you look, so that when those eyes are on you, you can be sure that nothing will distract from your message. You need to feel comfortable with your appearance, and be sure that when others look at you, you won’t get distracted by your looks and thus fail to convey the right message. Arrive early; build in some time for delays. Assume that there might be road construction, traffic delays, or parking problems. It’s better to leave some extra time to account for such unforeseen situations. Look outward, not inward. Be optimistic. Concentrate on the message. Remember how important it is for this audience to hear what you have to say. Replace every negative thought with a positive one. For example, when you tell yourself that you can’t do this, replace it with, “I can try my best. This is an opportunity for me to learn.” Focus on the message you want to convey, and always keep in mind that it’s crucial for the audience to hear what you have to say. Replace every negative thought with a positive one; for example, when you feel like giving up, you can encourage yourself by saying, “I can try my best, and this is also a good opportunity for me to learn.” ” \"something new.\" If appropriate, prepare an introduction for the emcee to introduce you. Provide relevant biographical information so that the introduction serves as a good introduction to the content and tone of your speech. The introduction should include at least four pieces of information: what the topic is, why this topic was chosen, who is speaking, and why this person was chosen to speak. If possible, prepare a short text about yourself for the host, including relevant personal details so that this introduction can effectively set the stage for your speech. The introduction should contain at least four pieces of information: what is the topic ； Why choose this topic ； Who is the speaker? ； Why him to give the lecture. For example, “Public speaking is an important topic in today’s business world. Today, we have a long-time believer in the fact that everyone can learn to speak well in public. She has a Master’s degree in communication from the University of Hawaii and has given numerous seminars on public speaking. She is here today to give us some pointers on our own presentation skills. Please welcome, Cheri Orator.” An introduction could be written like this: “In today’s business world, public speaking is a crucial subject.” We have always believed that everyone can become a great public speaker. Today’s speaker is a master’s graduate in communication from the University of Hawaii; she has given numerous presentations on the topic of public speaking. Today we are honored to have her here to share some speaking skills with us. She is Cheri Orator; welcome everyone! ” Relieve tension. Ease your stress levels. Once you arrive at the location and have checked out the venue, find a quiet place where you can gather your thoughts and relax. The fewer external distractions there are, the easier it will be for you to focus on your message. If it’s not possible to isolate yourself for a few minutes, try to mentally gather your strength wherever you are, even in a crowd. While waiting to give your speech, do these simple exercises. After checking the lecture hall, find a quiet place to organize your thoughts and relax as much as possible. The fewer external distractions, the easier it is for you to focus on the message you want to convey. If it’s not possible to isolate oneself from the outside world for a few minutes, even in a crowd, try to refocus your mind on the content of the presentation and gather your inner focus. While waiting before you prepare your speech, you can try doing the following small exercises*. Clench your fists and hold for 3-5 seconds, then release. Notice how releasing your hands relaxes your shoulders and jaw. Repeat three times. Before starting, breathe deeply, inhaling slowly and exhaling completely–Clench your fists and hold for 3-5 seconds, then relax. You can notice that when your palm is relaxed, your shoulders and chin will also relax. Repeat this action three times. Before the host introduces you, take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and then release all the air from your lungs; repeat this action three times as well. Do this three times. No matter how nervous you are, don’t tell the audience. No matter how anxious you feel, don’t let it show to the audience. Believe me, it’s likely that people won’t notice, and even if they do, they’ll probably empathize and listen more carefully. Just start your speech with that attention-grabbing opening as you had planned; there’s no need for any apologies. Believe me, even if you do tell them, they’ll ignore you ； Even if you get scolded, they are likely to only feel sympathy for you and then pay more attention to what is being said. Even if you’re nervous, just start speaking right away; there’s no need to apologize in order to get the audience to pay attention. Use visual aids relevant to your topic. Employ some visual aids that are related to the subject matter. Research has shown that when knowledge is conveyed solely through verbal explanation, only 10 percent of it remains in memory after three days; however, this figure rises to 65 percent when both verbal explanation and visual aids are used. Studies indicate that information transmitted only through words is retained in memory at a rate of 10 percent after three days, but that rate increases to 65 percent when visual aids are used alongside verbal explanations. Visual aids will help your audience remember your message longer, which means they will remember you longer, which is better for promotion and future opportunities for you. Visual aids can assist your audience in remembering your message for a longer period of time, which in turn means they will remember you as well. This is undoubtedly a great advantage for future improvements and a steady stream of opportunities. Speak clearly and loudly. Avoid using “ahs” or “ums”. Know when and how to end your speech. Some speakers focus so much on the beginning of their speech that they forget that the ending is just as important – it’s the last impression you leave on your audience. Practice the ending just as thoroughly as you practice the beginning. When speaking, enunciate clearly and with proper intonation; don’t stammer by using “umms” and “ahhs”. It is important to know when to pause and how to pause. Some speakers place too much emphasis on the beginning, forgetting that the ending is just as important, as it is what remains in the audience’s mind last. At the beginning of training, it is also important to practice the ending more. After successfully completing “Surviving (Whew!)”, seek constructive feedback for future speeches. Look for constructive comments that can help improve future presentations. Toastmasters offers various ways to provide useful evaluations; one of the best is the WIN formula: Tell the speaker something about the speech that was wonderful, offer a suggestion for improvement, and end on a positive note with words of encouragement or an acknowledgment of a strength the speaker possesses. Toastmasters provides several effective methods for evaluation. The best of these is the WIN formula (the initials of Wonderful, Improvement, and Nice in English): it first tells the speaker that a particular part of their presentation was especially good ； Then provide a suggestion for improvement ； When concluding, don’t forget to praise the speaker a bit; this can encourage them and give them greater motivation in the future. For example, “Mary, your opening anecdote was relevant and powerful. It made me want to listen to what else you had to say. I would have liked more elaboration on how to relax on the day of the speech, but I found the preparation suggestions most helpful.” Such a review could be put in this way: “Mary, the story you used at the beginning was highly relevant and impactful; it made me want to pay closer attention to what you had to say next. It would have been great if you had provided more details on how to relax on the day of the speech.” Nevertheless, I still think your advice on preparing for speeches is very helpful; you can think about the parts you liked in your own experiences and then consider how to improve them. ” Think about what you liked about your experience and what you could improve on. If possible, video- or audiotape your speech. Review the tape to learn areas of strength and those needing improvement. If conditions permit, record a video or audio version of your speech. Review the audio or video afterward to identify areas that need improvement. Stay with Toastmasters International to continue improving your speaking and leadership skills. Continue working with Toastmasters International to hone your speaking and leadership abilities. Former Toastmaster Linda Lingle, governor of Hawaii, credits Toastmasters for helping her develop her speaking skills at the beginning of her political career, giving her the opportunity to practice in front of a group whose members were all there for the same reason: to improve their speaking and leadership skills. Former Toastmaster and current Governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, attributes the improvement in her speaking skills during her early career to Toastmasters. She said that it is only within this organization that she has the opportunity to practice in front of a group of like-minded people, and to improve her speaking and leadership skills through repeated attempts. Governor Lingle says, “I felt that communicating with people is very important. Toastmasters gave me the opportunity every week to speak in front of people who were very supportive. Everyone who is in Toastmasters is there for the same reason – to learn from each other and improve. Governor Lingle also said, “I think it’s crucial to communicate with others, and Toastmasters provided me with the chance to speak weekly; all the audience members supported me, as those who participate share a common goal: to help one another grow.” ” Because they want to get better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Speech is power; it is used to persuade, to convert, to compel.” The ability to speak well in public is something we can learn. Just as we learned to ride a bike – perhaps after a few falls – we got back on, found our balance, and, with a little momentum, discovered that we enjoyed the feeling of the wind blowing through our hair. Maybe we even added playing cards to the spokes of our bike for a bit of flair. Soon, you will be able to enrich your speeches with expressive body language, varied vocal tones, and interesting anecdotes, making the experience pleasant for both you and your audience. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Speech is power; its purpose is to persuade others, to convey messages, and to influence minds. ”Public speaking skills can be acquired over time, just like learning to ride a bicycle; perhaps one might fall a few times at first, but with each attempt, one becomes more familiar with maintaining balance. Gradually, we will have endless motivation, as we discover the pleasure that comes from feeling the breeze on our hair; it’s not long before we can ride a bike with ease. By the same logic, it won’t be long before you make extensive use of body language while giving speeches, become skilled at adjusting your voice, and include some interesting anecdotes in your presentations. Who knows? As your public speaking skills improve, your next promotion might be just around the corner. Who knows? That next promotion might be just around the corner. Reposted from Hai Ci Happy English for sharing among Hai friends