Don’t escape
Didi, my phone rang. I received a new Wechat message. It must be a handsome boy who asked me to watch a film together with him. I picked up the phone like a little girl who was going to open the gift box. “Betty, you didn’t deliver a prepared speech for a long time, did you?” Oh no, it was Elena, who urged me to address a speech.
“I…I would like to, but I have nothing to share with you.”
Didi, my phone rang again. This time it was a handsome boy. Again, I picked it up like a little girl who was going to have her first date. Victor said, “Betty, will you take part in our club’s speech contest this weekend?”
“I…I would like to, but I will take IELTS test this Saturday and you know I need more rest.”
This was me, the escaping Betty. I escaped from delivering speech, taking meeting roles and taking part in the speech contest. Later, I became silent and shy, sometimes like an ostrich that bears its head into the sand. On the stage, I was nervous and I was afraid of speaking. Confronted with a stranger, I would never take the initiative to start a conversation. As time goes on, I found it hard to express my ideas. I had lots of thoughts in my mind but words failed me.
Now, it’s high time some measures were taken to change the situation. I want to be the focus of the public. I want to show my shining points to you. So I decided to take part in the Toastmasters Open Day in Beijing and the Conference in Harbin. Here is one episode.
Dear Toastmasters and distinguished guests, let me ask you a question, do you come from Shandong Province? If the answer is yes, I guess you must be familiar with Confucious. Then, I want to ask what you have in common with Confucious? The same birthplace? No. The same ancestor? No. It’s the Shandong accent.
I heard this funny story last week in Zhongguancun Toastmasters Club in Beijing. An experienced Toastmaster, whose name is Seven did an ice break speech as a demo according to the requirements of Pathways, the new education system. From his speech, I learned about the humorous speaking style, active interaction with the audience and the speaker’s confidence.
After the metting, I was so honored to have a short conversion with our Toastmasters International President-elected, lady Lark Doley. “Now I am still a student. I am in my third year of university and I joined Toastmasters last year.” I introduced myself. She nodded and said “ Excellent, excellent.” Wow, our big boss gave me praise and encouragement. So delighted was I!
At Harbin Conference, I severd as a graphic recorder 视觉记录师in the round table part. At first, I felt reluctant to have a try. Neither did I have sufficient time before the conference preparing for the work, nor was I good at drawing. But Ivy kept inspiring me. Finally, I decided to be a volunteer. Instructed by a professional teacher, Ice Xiong, online, I grasped a new skill, using the five basic elements, point, line, circle, triangle and rectangle to record the outline of a meeting. What really shocked me was that one of our volunteers who is in her fifties or sixties is still fully devoted to our conference. Just as the saying goes, you are never too old to start doing things.
Last month, I made a promise to Victor that I will deliver nine prepared speeches. But I didn’t say how long it would take for me to accomplish this task. For six months? For one year? Or for two years? At my convenience. Whereas, last week in Harbin, Clay asked me, “Betty, what are you doing in XDF Toastmasters Club?” “I am making prepared speeches.” I answered with confidence. “What’s your plan? How often do you deliver a speech and what goal you want to achieve?” “Well, I will finish my CC and CL this year.” Ok, Clay, you are the winner. Although I need to make seven speeches in the following half year. This time, I will not escape.
I have to say Toastmasters is the very place where you can obtain inspiration and encouragement. Moreover, you will thrive here. Now I am more talkative and active. And I can even take triple roles in one meeting. I am no longer the escaping Betty, which is my blooming in Toastmasters. And I am desperately looking forward to your blooming.
2018.05.19
