Toastmasters Where Leaders Are Made!
Toastmaster founder, Dr. Ralph Smedley, once said, “Inside each of us is a treasure, just waiting to be discovered.” For the past 96 years, millions of people have been proving him correct — yours truly, included.
As soon as I finished my first ten Toastmaster speeches and “graduated” in 2001, I had business cards professionally designed and printed. I was going to be a motivational speaker! I was so excited! I ordered a subscription to National Speaker Association magazine. I was “shooting for the stars”.
After reading a few articles in the NSA magazine, and participating in a few speech contests, I realized…it would be many moons before I would even be asked to speak for free!
While looking for something on the next level, I decided — I have A LOT to say! I am going to BLOG!! I know I can write. Mind you, I wasn’t reading BLOGS, I had just heard about them. I wanted to make my own.
A conversation with our Church Office Manager led me to hire her to teach me to BLOG. She set up a BLOG for me. An hour later, I went home with my notes. I felt a bit overwhelmed, but I had one post! I announced my BLOG to my Sister in Christ, Michelle Wise. Right away, she scheduled me for a photo session! She took shots of me for my new business card. She then arranged a photo session with a family from church — three young daughters and a baby boy. I had to hold a baby!! The Lord was with us; the baby and I got along well and the daughters had fun. I had photos for my posts. I was ready to roll!
I managed to create one more post, but I felt so lost. Techie things scare me. (I’ve got to work on that!) My folder with my BLOG instructions collected dust for five years. It has been gnawing at me all this time.
I found my Treasure within Toastmasters — in our new online platform Pathways!!
The program I chose had an elective — Create a BLOG! I set a goal to begin my BLOG Project which required eight BLOGS in a thirty-day period. I asked my mentor how to get started. “First read some BLOGS and see what appeals to you!” “Oh! That makes sense.”
I had just begun to study when Covid hit. Toastmasters adjusted as did other organizations — we began ONLINE meetings. I visited a meeting with Cadillac Area Toastmasters. The introduction question was, “How are you handling this stay-at-home mandate?”. One of the members, Tom Bartholomew, said that he quit his job two weeks ago – not because of the virus, but because he wanted to create his own business as a web host!! That tickled MY ears!
I sent him a congratulations email – I’m so excited for anyone who is brave enough to be a self-starter in his/her own business. That began the messages back and forth. I mentioned my BLOG project and that I was having difficulty getting started. “I can help you with that!” “You’re hired!”
He set up the template. Using ZOOM, he taught me how to create my post, and coached me until I felt comfortable. April 10 was my “go live” date. I’ve been blogging every four days ever since – this is #39! (I hope you’re enjoy them!)
Each of us stepped out to do something new — to take the opportunities presented by the Covid Challenge! For Tom, the timing was a coincidence. For me, it was Toastmasters plus ZOOM that made it happen.
Covid became a blessing in disguise. We Americans always find Opportunity in Challenge. (That’s Blog #40) Both Tom and I chose to step up — make it work FOR us!
Grannies, find your “Someday I Will” lists. Get them out. Dust them off. Start working on them!!
There is Opportunity in this Challenge just waiting for Americans to RISE ABOVE IT!! I found mine through Toastmasters. Yours may be where you least expect it.
Thanks to:
Bartholomew Media Group
Whose Patience made this Blog Possible!
09/09/20