It’s changed me, for the better! by Alexis Sugden
My Background
Before I begin talking about Toastmasters, I should give you some context. During the extensive series of COVID-19 lockdowns I was taken to a dark place, mentally, as I battled with many thoughts about the direction I should take my life. I assume this isn’t an uncommon thing for a 17-year-old to experience, but stupidly I took no constructive action at the time and continued with my life of nothingness. Coming out of lockdown, I realised something had to change if I wanted to get anywhere, and so I cultivated an indelible passion for personal development, which put non-fiction books and educational podcasts, rather than video games, at the top of my agenda.
Moving on a few months, I heard about Toastmasters from a podcast interview with Julian Treasure, a professional public speaker and TEDx regular. Inquisitive as I am, I did some research, and realised I had to be 18 to become a member, so on my 18th birthday I contacted Newbury Speakers Club and tagged along as soon as I could, a decision which I will never regret, and a decision which I now thank myself for.
My club experience so far
For many people, potentially yourself included, standing up and speaking in front of an audience does not come naturally, and it doesn’t to me either, but during my first year of membership at Newbury Speakers Club I have undergone a metamorphosis which now places public speaking inside of my comfort zone, all due to the warm welcoming and healthy encouragement I have received from all established members of the club. And although my Toastmasters career isn’t as impressively established as many other members of the club, I now feel much more equipped with the tools to deliver an impactful speech.
I am currently on the Persuasive Influence pathway (one of the 11 to choose from) and have completed multiple speeches this year of 6-7 minutes each, which I had time to prepare for in the weeks leading up and let me tell you something: there is a combined sense of relief and euphoria I get once I have finished a speech which remains unmatched elsewhere in my life, making me more than eager to continue this journey of self-development, and I cannot recommend it enough from a personal point of view.
In July I took up a role on the club committee as the Vice President of Public Relations, where, alongside other committee members I am tasked with looking after the public interface and engagement of the club. This is an opportunity of responsibility which would only have been made available to me through Toastmasters, all thanks to its incredible inclusivity.
What have I gained from Newbury Speakers Club?
Alongside other commitments in my life, I host a podcast where I talk to various guests about how we can build a better future for individuals and for the planet. This requires me to speak effectively on the spot, about multiple topics that could come into conversation and my Toastmasters experience has come in immensely handy for this, especially through the “Table Topics” part of out meetings, where we are tasked with a 2-minute impromptu speech, which could literally be about any topic that the Topics Master can come up with.
However, communication does not just involve talking, it also involves listening and taking note of what happens during a situation, and during our meetings there are many different non-speaking-based roles which you can take up. Of these roles, these are the 2 which I feel have benefitted me the most:
- Speech Evaluator: This means I am allocated a certain speaker for the evening to evaluate in terms of their performance, giving a feedback report once they have finished their part. This has helped me become a more attentive listener, and has developed my attention to detail, a transferable skill which has already been played out to great effect in other areas of my life.
- Timekeeper: I use a stopwatch and control our “traffic lights system” to ensure that all speakers remain within their allocated time slot. Because of this role, I am now more aware that keeping good time in certain situations is beneficial and recognise the importance of keeping my communication quick but efficient.
So, what does this mean for you?
Looking back on my past year at Newbury Speakers Club can only bring me positive thoughts, and I can guarantee that it will do the same thing for anyone reading this, if you decide to act upon it and become a member.
Maybe you’re struggling with a sense of direction in life, maybe you’re heading to university and want some communication practice before you begin your course, or maybe you want to improve your performance as a manager in your job; whatever it is, Toastmasters can help.
All of us at Newbury Speakers Club are here to make it happen for you, because we believe that a welcoming environment, combined with constructive feedback is the key to unlocking a better future.
If you are interested in beginning your growth journey with us, please reach out via the “Contact Us” page, or more directly via alexis.sugden24@gmail.com.
We hope to see you soon!
