Last night my Toastmasters club had our first club contest in over two years. 3 judges from other clubs in the city, 2 of which were Area Governors, were on hand to vote in the competition.

The first part of the competition was Table Topics. In Table Topics you are presented with an unprepared topic and then you speak for at least 1 minute minimum to 2 minutes, 30 seconds at most. I was one of the three competitors for Table Topics and I went first. The question was, “If you created a new holiday, what would it be and how would you celebrate it.” With Table Topics you cannot hesitate. You must go with the first thing that comes to your mind and sink or swim. My first idea was a Parent’s Appreciation Day. I talked about how we need to show our parents our appreciation for all the sacrifices they made, all the time, the food, the clothes they provided for us, and investments they made in us. I said we should thank our parents for consummating their relationship or else we would not be here. I was up against some tough competition in Toastmaster Ramsey and Toastmaster Smith.

Toastmaster Ramsey was just accepted to Cornell for his MBA. He also received a full scholarship to Cornell. What I love about our club is that high caliber folks such as Toastmaster Ramsey are active in our club and available and willing to help. A few weeks ago Ramsey asked me to help him prepare for his interview at Cornell. I asked him questions and then gave him feedback on his performance. Then he helped me on WorkingInMusic.com. His help was invaluable since he has worked for companies like AOL and Eyewonder.com. But I digress…

The next part of the contest was the International Speech. This is a 5 to 7 minute speech having a clear objective. I gave my speech titled, “Do It Now.” It was my third time giving the speech and I finally trimmed the speech to its essence. I did my best but I was no match for Toastmaster Ramsey.

Toastmaster Ramsey gave his speech titled, “Be The Verb.” He opened with a good joke quoting a famous Chinese philosopher, Bruce Lee. Guaranteed laugh. Ramsey’s point is that you have to be what you want to become. You have to do. He said it’s not 10,000 hours that makes you an expert but 10,000 verbs. He was on fire. He later told me a Will Smith video I sent him inspired him!

After we spoke the head judge and the ballot counters went into another room to tally the votes. While they did that Toastmaster Ramsey and I were interviewed by the contest master, Toastmaster Boring. I got a chance to plug WorkingInMusic.com thanks to Toastmaster Boring asking me about it.

Finally the head judge came back revealing the results and I came in last place in everything. I had hoped I’d at least come in 2nd on the Table Topics, but no. I’m still extremely pleased that I entered the club competition. I’m a better speaker for having stepped up. The feedback I got from the Area Governors was positive and encouraging. I’m only on my 4th speech in the Competent Communication Manual so I have a long way to go. I’m looking forward to writing and giving more speeches.

At the end of each year I like to take an inventory of all the new things I did for the first time. 2009 had a lot of ups and downs. JamSmooth is still standing strong. 2010 will be a good year. How do I know? Because I’m going to work hard to make it that way. Here are my firsts for 2009.

1. First time to Cambodia. This trip included with it many other firsts. First time: flying Korean Air, to Seoul, South Korea, seeing Angkor Watt and first time speaking Khmer.

2. First time getting laid off. In 2009 the economy hit home, at least for me. Thought I was safe. I thought wrong. However the experience was rewarding in many other ways.

3. First time at SxSW. Great time. Great music, food, atmosphere and city. Looking forward to going again.

4. Joining Toastmasters. I started Toastmasters in October with a bang. I’ve already given 3 speeches, been Toastmaster, General Evaluator, Timer and Ah-Counter / Grammarian. Toastmasters is going to benefit me in numerous ways.

5. Reading consistently. I’m a bit of a self-help junkie. For years I’ve listened to Brian Tracy talk about the importance of reading every day yet I never read. This year I did. I read for 30 minutes every day. In about 6 months I’ve read 14 books, just reading 30 minutes a day.

6. Cutting my own hair. This year I joined the “Balding Guys Hair Club.” I wanted to do this for a while but I didn’t know if I could rock it. My buddy Adam came over with the clippers and since then I’ve been cutting my own hair. The feedback has been nothing but positive.

7. Sweat lodge. Before I left for Cambodia my pal Ginny invited me to a sweat lodge. We did 3, 20 minute sessions in the piping hot tent. It was one of the most relaxing and spiritual things I’ve ever done and I will definitely do it again.

8. Making Kombucha. Back in 2006 a friend introduced me to his homemade Kombucha. Later I saw GT’s Kombucha at Sevananda. I drank GT’s regularly and because of its high price, about $3.50 a bottle, I started making my own. The drink has numerous health benefits.

9. First job at the mall. I never would’ve dreamed I’d end up working at the mall. Thankfully I work at the best store in the mall. Since I love being around people and people watching I’ve enjoyed it.

10. First time tracking every dollar spent all year. My pastor, Andy Stanley, talked about how he and his wife have tracked every single dollar they’ve ever spent as a couple. His point is how can you track your spending if every dollar doesn’t have a name? Dave Ramsey says the same thing. This year I used my iPhone to keep track of cash expenses and Quicken to record where every dollar went. The only way you can get a handle on where you money goes is to name every dollar.

See ya 2009. You’ve been unforgettable but 2010 will pwn you.

In about an hour I’m giving my 3rd speech at Toastmasters. Admittedly I haven’t prepared as much as I’d like. Ironic as well since this speech is about procrastination. I think I’ve got it though. Wish me luck!

Do It Now!

I. Start off with Procrastinator joke
A. Intro – as we approach the new year time to think about resolutions
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. – John Lennon from “Beautiful Boy”
THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
B. Why do we procrastinate? Why do we put off goals like losing weight? Quitting smoking, Watching less TV, reading more? Learning a language? Laziness, lack of purpose, fear of failure, fear of success?
C. Procrastination holds us back from our full potential

II. First Step – Admit the opportunity
A. Admit you’re procrastinating.
B. Be aware and identify
C. How to identify? Cleaning, organizing your socks?, doing laundry? Seriously.
1. Are you working on what you set out to work on?

III. Do It Now
A. You may forget
B. Another task may come along that preempts
C. Have a sense of urgency – “Like your hair is on fire” – Seth Godin
D. Repeat to yourself: I do it now!

III. Write it down immediately
A. If you can’t do it immediately write it down
B. Follow up with the person when complete
1. Then he/she will know task is complete, how quickly you did it.
2. Tell story of former boss – “What did they say?” before you’d even done it. Imagine being able to answer!

IV. Start Small when starting it
A. 30 minute a day reading example
1. Same with exercise
B. Set a timer for the task – I’ll work for 15 minutes

V. Accountability
A. Get someone you trust to hold you to a deadline
B. Create a punishment / reward system. A trip. A dinner.
C. Pray – ask your Higher Power to give you the strength to take that first step

VI. Conclusion
A. Repeat Steps
1. Acknowledge the opportunity
2. Do It now – Don’t wait
3. Write it down
4. Start small
5. Get accountability
B. Procrastination robs us of living extraordinary lives!
C. Stop making plans and do it now!

Last night I gave my first speech at Toastmasters. This speech is called the Icebreaker speech. It’s a 4-6 minute speech on yourself.

This speech gave me a glimpse into what it takes to be a great speaker. The preparation and practice can be overwhelming. However I have great models and inspiration from my father, Andy Stanley and Jeff Henderson. All are speakers who rarely use notes to communicate their messages.

I memorized my outline for the speech and hit on every point. Giving the speech is much like performing music live. You try out phrases and words you’ve never practiced. Ideas come to you in the middle of speaking. Giving speeches and playing music are in the same family.

One invaluable aspect of Toastmasters is the immediate feedback you get. After you give your speech an evaluator goes to the lectern and tells you where you succeeded and where you can improve. You must stand while the evaluator gives the feedback. Shakir Ramsey, who gave an extraordinary speech on my first visit, evaluated my speech and I was excited to hear his comments because he’s a great communicator. Mr. Ramsey gave me great feedback. The most valuable suggestion he gave was to truly make eye contact with the audience. Don’t simply glance, hold eye contact and get an emotional connection with the audience.

After the meeting ended I got even more useful feedback from the other members. I’m looking forward to giving more speeches and becoming a great communicator.

Whilst improving myself for my new sales job, I read a few books on sales. One by Jeffrey Gitomer suggested joining Toastmasters to improve your sales. I then asked my store manager, who is a great speaker, how he learned to become that way. He also said Toastmasters. Without delay I looked for a club.

I went to Toastmasters.org to find some meetings. I looked up a few clubs and found one in my neighborhood. I also checked out a club in Buckhead. I decided to join the club in my neighborhood based on the quality of the speakers. While the Buckhead club had more quantity, the quality did not match the VOA Toastmasters club.

This week I will give my first speech. It’s called the Icebreaker speech. For 4-6 minutes I will introduce myself to the club. I’ve decided that I will focus on music in telling my story. I’ve done a lot of great things with music and I know a lot about it. I’m looking forward to it.

From there I begin the workbook which has 10 speeches. Once you finish that book you are a “Competent Communicator.” I plan to film each speech and the good ones I’ll post here.