This was a wonderful week! It started with a deadly challenge… On Monday morning, Robert, the president of Bangalore Toastmasters club, called me up and said “Be the MC (Master of Ceremonies) for this Friday’s meeting”! My mouth went dry… I “knew” that it was a challenge beyond my reach. I asked him whether he thinks I am ready for it. He said “You can do it. Just do it!”. That was really encouraging. And I knew from within, that I want to try impossible challenges. What’s a better chance? I said “Sure Robert, I will give it a shot!”. He explained to me very clearly what was expected of me. Yeah, its easy to list down the responsibilities…
The next day, my senior architect caught me and asked “Can you present Zookeeper in INHUG conference in Noida?” My first response was “Count me in!”. Had he asked me to do it about two months back, I would have managed to find an excuse.
As far as I know, this is the largest TM club in the world, with around 90 active members. And there are many veteran speakers in the club, some of them even participating in world champ contests. How am I, a two month old baby, supposed to do MC in that club???
What best can I do? I prepared thoroughly. Called up the members and assigned the roles. Made sure that everything was in order. There were quite a few last minute surprises, but those were handled. Couldn’t even sleep well for a couple of days – busy @office, and busy preparing for my D-Day. Ah, and another tension – Robert said that I HAVE to wear a tie. That’s something that I have never done in my entire life! By wednesday, the speech was prepared and sent to SAA & President to ensure that we won’t end up telling the same stories. That day I started getting headaches. My body signals that I need rest and relaxation.
For the next two days, I took a break from my regular routine of a “planned day”. Got plenty of sleep, didn’t stretch myself in office at work, went to gym and had good food. By Friday, I was back in good condition.
Dressed neatly, I arrived at the meeting place 1.30 hrs in advance, to give a demo speech in front of Robert. He brought a tie for me, and helped me wear it. That scene was really funny – the president teaching a member how to wear a tie, just before the meeting 
I wish I had taken a photo wearing it. Always had an aversion for tie, because somehow I associated tie with a salesman selling from door to door. But in the club, wearing a tie creates a special positive impression. I guess it has to do with the person wearing it I guess somebody waved that magic wand again, for I started getting more confidence. Getting ready for my turn…
The president delivered an impressive speech, and gave a wonderful introduction about me. Then he invited the MC of the day! Time stood still… I walked on to the stage… all the hands clapping… shook hands with the president, and stood behind the lectern. Clocks started ticking again. Thanked the president for his wonderful introduction and slowly proceeded with my speech. Cracked a joke and that made people laugh out loud… Aha! That boosted my confidence. I was in cloud nine… then I was at my best… In my friend’s opinion, I appeared very confident, energetic and enthusiastic. Wow. And, not everything went as planned – a cancelled project, a last minute dropout, power cuts and delay in serving the tea. I guess it was a test. Managed to handle those. During the meeting I realized that being in such a supportive environment, I don’t have to be afraid at all…
During the break, I met Sheenappa – the person who pushed me on to the stage for the first time (two months back). He wrote a comment “I am very proud to see you as a confident speaker today. Way to go!”. He was so happy that he came and hugged me.
It went much better than I expected. (I forgot to say a few lines that I had prepared. However, came up with better statements on the spot). During the evaluation session and after the end of the meeting, there were showers of praises
However, I wanted critical feedbacks as well. I approached Watson and Pradeep with the request for critical feedbacks, and they were very happy to provide me valuable inputs. Working on those suggestions, to become a better speaker…
Following were the best parts of the entire experience:
- The help, support and encouragement from senior toastmasters.
- The fact that I took up the challenge and gave my best to it.
- The fact that it went very well.
I guess, its the president’s tie that did the trick Now, getting ready for the INHUG presentation… Should I ask Robert for his shirt?
