May the Resource be within You

Are you trying to get that Pathways level completed before June 30th but searching for speech topics? Nearly all writers have experienced writer’s block. All speakers can experience the same. You have learned that the Ice Breaker is to be written about yourself – some part of your life that introduces you to the group. You may take that concept and use it to come up with other speech topics. They do not have to originate from your personal history. 

Perhaps you have been in a warm up session at work or in a group and they asked everyone to come up with 3 things that no one else in the group knows. Just imagine your Toastmasters club members and think of all of the life experiences that they do not know about you aside from the basics. Spend some time brainstorming – jot down areas of your life that others may not know. Consider these questions:

Was your schooling the same as your children’s or others in your family?

Have you moved in your life and why?

Do you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert, or both – ambivert? Educate about the differences.

What hobbies have you had in life and have they changed over the years? How and why?

Julie Andrews sang of her favorite things. What favorites in your life do you think would be interesting to your club members? Think outside the box of typical “favorite” questions.

My favorite time of day to be on the roads is…

My favorite destination or type of art is… This would be a good time to present a slideshow using Share Screen or take your laptop or flash drive to a meeting, considering the set up for projections.

Another great type of speech is the demonstration. I once did a demonstration on my love of knitting. I was sure that some of the group would be totally bored. The opposite proved true. Consider displaying a YouTube video, or more preferably create your own DIY video.

Websites and book reviews make excellent sources. Watch for authenticity. What subjects inspire you? Share that inspiration.

Use prior Toastmaster Magazines for ideas, not verbatim excerpts, of course. Magazines are on the Home page of Toastmasters.org. 

Look up! 
When you are on a walk or a drive, be aware of your surroundings. Ask yourself, what is it that makes my environment interesting today? Do you want to contact the City Council about dangerous cracks in the sidewalk? Why is your town the best around?

When you find yourself experiencing that empty feeling “What do I speak about next?” you can now feel confident that along with the many media sources out there, your life offers a myriad of subjects. It is fun to share the many resources within you!