Just be Crazy
What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Would you like to join in a speech contest? What are you afraid of?
I had the honor, privilege and curse of representing Queen City Toastmasters club in not just one but 2 speech contests, Humorous and International Speech categories in a span of just one year. I can’t believe I won in the club contests! Queen City is the club of champions, there are a lot of brilliant speakers much better than I am. How could an introvert, newly-renewed member who is still in her Basic Speech 5 win? I have all the doubts and fear creeping in my psyche. How can someone like me represent a club of champions?
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow toastmasters, and future speech contestants, according to a famous Canadian leadership expert, Robin Sharma “The fears you don’t face become your limits. And the doubts you don’t deal with become your walls.” Last week, I found myself again in a “fearful” situation. A guy asked me out. Yes, a date. After failed relationships and more than years’ absence in the dating scene, I felt the same fear as I experienced when I was chosen to represent this club in area contest.
The biggest fear is Failure. I doubted myself. Can I do it? Will he like me? I’m not even half-way my basic speech manual – wait I don’t need that in my date. I am shy. The guy is cute and smart. What if I stutter? Can I remember PREP, AREM, SMG etc. if my date asks me a question? Shocks, a realization hits me – I should’ve participated more in Table Topics!
Representing the club in a contest and going on a first date have the same effect on me – I am going crazy with fears! I think this happens to all of us – when our minds were focused more on negative outcomes, on appearing stupid, making mistakes and in failing. What if the events turned out to be good? That we get what we want, that we achieved something, that your date will actually like you too – do we also fear success?
Yes, it’s crazy! But that’s actually what I’ve learned when dealing with my fears – JUST BE CRAZY!
JUST BE CRAZY – and do something for the first time. Crush your limits. You don’t grow in your comfort zone. Participating in a speech contest is a very stressful experience. I spent sleepless nights not only writing speeches but also in memorizing and practicing them. I subjected myself to the “terrors” of my mentors – revising the speech I thought it’s already the best, dragging me to practice everywhere and making me recite over and over until I get the right stress, emotion or pronunciation. Yes, it was stressful but looking back, where am I now if I didn’t represent Queen City in a contest? Will I feel as improved and as accomplished as what I feel right now? Can I inspire you and my team mates in the office about conquering fears? If I surrendered in my fear of dating a cute and smart guy, will I ever date again for the rest of my life? JUST BE CRAZY!
JUST BE CRAZY – and be assured that confidence can be found on the other side of your fear. We joined Toastmasters to be better speakers and leaders. We want to gain more confidence in
ourselves – a push that will take us to greater success and better lives. I still feel the jitters every time I speak but my confidence has increased after the competitions I joined. Being a prepared speech contestant is like fast-tracking the Basic Speech Manual. I feel I have graduated a long time ago, but of course I have to do this because of compliance. Do you know that even failures can help in building confidence? By having a good laugh and learning from it! Well, my last date may not like me, but hey – I will be prepared for the next one. So now I can say with confidence – next please! JUST BE CRAZY!
JUST BE CRAZY – and have the time of your life! Let loose of yourself and have fun. I remember my practice sessions are actually 70 percent conversations about life and having good laughs over food and sometimes wine. I had fun developing friendship with brilliant people. I realized that all of our fears can be converted into crazy fun experiences. Imagine, the thrill of things you are afraid to try – a roller coaster, skiing, diving, zipline, bungee jumping, dating, kissing? It could be fun! And the most enjoyable and fun part is the celebration. We have pizza every after contests. That’s what I thought of during my date last week – No matter what the outcome is – I will enjoy and have the time of my life! I will JUST BE CRAZY!
Our doubts and fears hinder us from being the best we can be and having the great life we deserve. We don’t want to be limited by fear. We don’t want to be confined in the walls of doubts. In times of fear and doubts, remember JUST BE CRAZY – do it anyway, gain confidence and have fun!
What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Now is the time to break your limits.
Joan is a past president of Queen City Toastmasters. The club meets every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 6pm at Salt Restaurant, St. Patrick’s Square near Redemptorist Church.