The famous American author, Mark Twain remarked that"It takes me two weeks to prepare an impromptu speech". However entertaining Twain's remark may be, it doesn't help those who find themselves put "on the spot" and asked to speak without notes or a script.Usually, it results in finding ourselves tongue tied.
Most people have privately said "I wish I had thought of that" when reflecting on some conversation or off the cuff presentation. In Toastmasters, we assist our members to deal with those impromptu situations and get their point across. In fact, we help remove the embarrassment and replace it with empower. And, some fun can ensue.
Last week's Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting witnessed a hugely enjoyable and enlightening Topics Session. Ably conducted by Susan Hegarty, this session encouraged wonderful impromptu contributions. "If you could start your own business and didn't have to worry about money, what would it be?" This question inspired some flights of fancy. One contributer spoke of her love of fashion and of opening a clothes shop. Another spoke of opening a hut in Killarney and selling trinkets and customised poetry to gullible tourists!
Holiday plans were addressed by another speaker who spoke about realising his long term dream of visiting two meccas of American music - Memphis, the home of the Blues and of Elvis and Nashville, the home of Country Music.
Operation transformation and an illuminating discussion on diets brought New Year's resolutions into focus. Yes, those biscuits and sugar laden desserts are fattening. Dolly Parton's words of wisdom were invoked - "You wish to lose weight, then take your head out of the slop-bucket!" Favourite words of wisdom were revealed. For Bridie O'Connell, it was "brevity is the soul of wit". Anne O'Donovan's mantra was "do nothing and say nothing and you will never be criticised. And, you won't achieve anything".
Other topics to elicit meaningful responses were "What makes you laugh? " and "Are you a morning or night person? ". A discussion on old fashioned books versus kindle brought fascinating reactions. To one member, the illuminated Kindle screen helped her rediscover the joy of reading while others loved the feel and the smell of a book. And then there was the other category - the lovers of the audio book and the beauty of having words spoken to them.
A Topics Session provides an opportunity to acquire and hone our inter - personal communication skills. It helps us prepare for those real life situations where we are required to speak without preparation and be coherent. It can also be a journey, where we walk for two minutes in someone else's shoes and be enthralled at the diverse nature of personal opinions.It embodies the mantra of Toastmasters - "We learn most in moments of enjoyment".
If you haven't witnessed a Speakeasy meeting or if you wish to sharpen your communication skills, why not pay us a visit? You will meet real people, not social media trolls. You, too can learn in moments of enjoyment.
The next Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting will take place in The Hibernian Hotel Mallow on Thursday, 23rd January at 8.00PM. Guests are always welcome and are never compelled to speak unless they wish to do so.
For more information on this club, please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook.
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