Today I did my very first Toastmasters contest speech. The assigned speech was a humorous speech. Initially I objected to competing in this type of speech when a fellow Toastmaster encouraged me to do it at the last meeting. I said, “But I’m not funny.” (Everyone in the room laughed at that.) It was explained that for this speech, you did not have to be a stand-up comedian. You just needed to give a 5-7 minute speech which included humor. Well, I usually include humor in speeches, so I thought, “Ok, I can do this!”
So I prepared as much as I could, and prayed for the best. Yesterday our daughter Leah, who had been hearing me practice it at home all week, said to reassure me, “Mom, there is nothing whatsoever funny about your speech.”
Nothing like some encouragement from your family, is there? (I got to tell her when I came home that people DID laugh.)
Only one other Toastmaster was competing against me, but it was still nerve-wracking, especially when the judges were making their final decision. They teasingly said they were keeping us in suspense as long as they could.
The name of my speech was Just be yourself: The Four Types of Personality, based on the book on the four personalities called Personality Plus, by Florence Littauer.
Well, guess what! I won FIRST place! Here is a picture of my certificate. I am SOOOO excited! Thank you, Jesus! I was so surprised when they announced the winner, but so happy! What was so commendable of the man who competed against me was that after the meeting, he encouraged me about my speech and encouraged me to go ahead and compete in the next level!
The next level contest is the area contest on October 3 in Kansas City. One winner for the area contest can then advance to the next level contest, which is the division contest on October 31st. The winner at the division contest will then advance to the district contest, which will be on November 21st in Topeka.
I am very excited about the next contest. Today my heart is just singing over this!
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye land; Sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.” Psalm 66:1-2
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[…] At the area contest, I gave the same speech which I gave for my first contest at the local club, Just Be Yourself: The Four Types of Personality. Because it was a contest and I was being judged, I was nervous before my speech. Although I am […]
[…] Please pray for God’s peace, His anointing, and His favor for me with the judges at the Toastmasters Area Speech contest this coming Saturday, October 3. I am giving the same humorous speech that I recently gave for my club contest, Just Be Yourself: The Four Types of Personality. […]