“If you could have up to 5 words on a button, what would they be?” the Table Topics Master asked.

This Toastmasters club meeting I avoided eye contact with the Table Topics Master. As the Timer, I hunched over my phone watching the stopwatch tick for each speaker. Each timed speech has a stated time range to guide preparation and the amount of content. I dutifully raised the green card at the minimum elapsed time for each speaker, the yellow card and the halfway point in the range, and the red card at the maximum desired elapsed time. Although there has never been a precedent for the Timer at our club to not participate in Table Topics, I was secretly hoping I didn’t have to answer a random question and speak for 1-2 minutes.

Forced impromptu spaking

Don’t get me wrong. Impromptu speaking, which in Toasmasters club meetings is practiced in a segment called Table Topics, is one of the things I need to work on the most. I almost never want to do it, but always gain something from participating. Even on the days I have no good ideas for answering the question, and ramble on for a minute, I get better. I’ve also learned that sometimes my best thoughts on answering the question come right after I just answered the question 🙂

Funny how the mind works. Maybe my mind slows a little when I’m a bit stressed. Maybe I just need practice putting together the elements of a speech – an opening, the middle content/message, and the closing – in a short amount of time. That’s the great thing about Table Topics. It forces me to practice what I’m not good at. Get a random question, formulate a mini-speech (or for me, at least formulate a starting point), and start talking.

Sometimes I wander a bit before getting traction and bringing it around to a mostly coherent answer.

Sometimes I end up rambling, waiting for the green card to appear indicating I’ve talked for a minute and  it’s safe to wrap up and sit down (and in these instances I’ve learned to be gentle with myself – it’s just practice in a safe place with people who are all practicing being better versions of themselves).

And sometimes I nail it.

“If you could have up to 5 words on a button, what would they be?” the Table Topics Master asked.

The first thought that popped into my head was “Individuals Unite”. These were two words on a campaign button from a fellow classmate running for high school class president. Clever enough. But I didn’t know where to go with that (which, mind you, doesn’t always stop me.)

I stayed silent for another couple of seconds and something inside of me nudged me to talk about who I am. Or, more accurately, who I’ve discovered and acknowledged myself to be.

You may recall the personal story pitch. I printed out my personal story pitch, found a nice sized magnet, and put it on my fridge. I try to remind myself to look at it every day (this habit isn’t fully established yet, but I’m getting there). On this piece of paper I have all the parts that lead up to the story pitch, but I focus on the personal story pitch itself.

Engineers have so much potential, but sometimes don’t have confidence in their unique skills and talents. Due to lack of awareness of the tools, resources, and techniques that exist to encourage reflection and growth, engineers miss out on the joy of living a life lived on purpose.

I come alongside engineers to help them develop confidence and to act in an intentional way. I do this because I believe we all have unique value to contribute, and when we contribute using our unique value, we feel fulfilled.

Teresa’s personal story pitch

“Thank you Madam Table Topics Master, fellow Toastmasters. The words I would put on the button are “You Are Valuable”.

I explained that I meet so many people who don’t know how valuable they are or how much potential they have. If people could learn how to reflect on their skills and talents, they may be able to see their unique value.

I don’t remember everything I said in the 1 minute 5 seconds I took to answer the question. But I did encourage everyone to look within themselves and acknowledge their value.

How do I know it was effective? The Table Topics Master noted that it was particularly moving for her and almost brought a tear to her eye.

I’m not telling you thins to brag on me. I did deliver one of my best impromptu speeches of my Toastmasters tenure. But I was able to do that because I didn’t let fear keep me from speaking the truth of who I am. I didn’t let fear keep me from speaking from my heart.

I’m finding that the more work I do on learning how to use my talents, skills, and interests to add value to others, the clearer I am on who I am. And the clearer I am, the easier it is to go out on a limb and say something to others that adds value in my unique way. This particular evening I had no fear in looking every fellow club member in the eye and telling them they have value and potential. Value and potential that is yet to be explored and expressed.

By getting the feedback I did from my 1 minute 5 second impromptu speech, which was a riff on my personal story pitch, I felt validated that I’m on the right path to doing in life what I am uniquely able to do. To get to this point took a lot of self-reflection, observation, and action.

Takeaways

Part of my intended takeaway from this story is that you too are valuable. And you no doubt have unexplored and unexpressed potential. The world needs you to add your unique value, using your voice, your experience, and your skills and talents. No one else on planet Earth has that unique combination.

The second part of my intended takeaway is to challenge you to figure out who you are and who you want to be. Once you start understanding that and act in congruence with it, you will get feedback letting you know you’re on the right path, your unique path.

There’s a peace and confidence that comes with the journey of figuring out your personal story pitch and then acting on it. I want that for you.

tl;dr

You are more valuable than you know. You have (as we all have) unexplored and unexpressed potential. Take some time to reflect and observe. Start or continue figuring out who you are and who you want to be. Then act in that direction.

engineer your life

  • Celebrate you! You have unique gifts, talents, and interests and the world needs that combo which only you have.
  • Work on your personal story pitch OR become an observer of what is sparking your interest. A great place to start is to note what breaks your heart and what makes your heart sing. If you have a mission statement or personal story pitch in mind, work up the courage to share it with someone you trust. See if they think that’s you. Whether they agree or not, you’ll know in your heart if the feedback is aligned with your truth. If someone near you is leaning into their skills, talents, and experience, let them know. They’ll likely appreciate the feedback.

references

Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/ Find a local club and find your voice.