I love to write. I write social content, web copy and marketing bits for small business owners. I journal about my adventures and of course, I blog! My love for writing may have started when I was a teen when I wrote to penpals. I would look at the profiles in the classified section ofContinue reading “Toastmasters and me”
Tag Archives: public speaking
Strike up a conversation
This past week I circled Lake Superior by car with family. The views were magnificent — rock cuts, gorges, waterfalls and breathtaking horizons. At every stop, there were tourists from different places in Canada and United States experiencing the same wonders and sharing their stories about the last trips they’d made, the tours or sightsContinue reading “Strike up a conversation”
Putting ideas to paper
There are days when my head is full of ideas about things I want to do and places I want to go. Sometimes I find myself spinning! But, I always come back to what I love most, writing. For me, writing is not a linear process, unless maybe I’m making up a dreaded grocery listContinue reading “Putting ideas to paper”
Speaking off the cuff
One of the fun parts of a Toastmasters meeting is something called Table Topics. With Table Topics, you get to speak for one, sometimes two minutes on a topic you’re not prepared for. It’s an exercise geared to practice impromptu speaking — speaking off the cuff. Knowing how to organize your thoughts quickly can comeContinue reading “Speaking off the cuff”
Stepping out of your comfort zone
We all experience it. Those moments when we’d rather hide than face an uncomfortable situation. Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always easy, but when you do, you’ll feel really good about it. You’ll expand your reach with new confidence and experience. It’s important to understand what makes you uncomfortable. If you’re providingContinue reading “Stepping out of your comfort zone”
Um…
Filler words are those nasty little words that replace your pauses; pauses that give your mind some time to think about what you’re going to say next. Um, ah, so, like are a few examples. We all use them (some more than others). Even though they may help to buy you some time, they canContinue reading “Um…”
My takeaways as contest chair
In January, I chaired a Toastmasters International Area Speech Contest. It was both nerve wracking and exciting. Since I recently posted about the value of lessons learned meetings after my own club contest, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on this latest experience. I was asked. I was reluctant but said yes. I wasContinue reading “My takeaways as contest chair”
Thinking about leadership styles
I did a little reading not too long ago about different leadership styles. I found it interesting to learn about my personal style and some of the pros and cons of different styles. Leaders vary and so do leadership styles. Leaders range from those who like to collaborate to those who like to dictate. DoContinue reading “Thinking about leadership styles”
Talk about the things you know
Someone once asked me, “When you deliver a speech, how do you remember it?” Hmm that’s a good question. I’m a member of Toastmasters. I joined in 2018 because I wanted to learn how to speak confidently, deliver speeches and frankly, I was curious to know what it was all about. Since then, I’ve madeContinue reading “Talk about the things you know”
Put on your brave hat. Try public speaking with Toastmasters help.
A skinny-legged girl wearing a peach lace dress and her favourite clunky wooden-heeled shoes stepped onto the stage of the Mountainview Public School gymnasium. A quiet grade seven student who was too shy to say no when the opportunity presented itself to be the school talent show master of ceremonies. Public speaking was always somethingContinue reading “Put on your brave hat. Try public speaking with Toastmasters help.”
Writing for you. 