For those of you who do watch TV, have you seen the advert
for the new Nexus 7 the Google tablet? It features a little boy with braces who
is scared to death at the thought of giving a presentation to his class. He
googles ‘Glossophobia’ (fear of public speaking), finds a great historical speech from Winston Churchill,
tries to model Churchill’s style, then smashes it in the classroom to the point
where he scores major brownie points with a cute girl in the front row of his class causing another
dilemma – how does he ask her out?
The Nexus 7 advert
Does the advert make me want to go buy the Nexus 7? Well inadvertently
yes as it made me 'go compare' android tablets. Congratulations to the advertising agency! More importantly, does it paint a true picture of how you overcome a very
real fear of using your tongue? (this is the literal translation of
Glossophobia). In a way, yes it does. It shows that we learn fastest when:
·
We have a reason to have to learn – the pressure
of an important event for example
·
We find a great mentor and model them
·
We practice – repetition is the key to learning.
This is what Toastmasters is all about people! For every
single member, there was a reason they joined and it wasn't because they just
wanted to be good at a toastmasters club.
At Toastmasters there is access to so many great speakers,
in your club, in your area, district etc. we are spoilt for choice in terms of
mentors.
And finally we come to practice! Whether you give a speech
or a time keeper report, you are dissipating that feeling of nausea, and panic
that used to envelop you and render you powerless.
Don’t be a slave to Glossophobia. Get yourself down to Lewisham Toastmasters Club. Find the cure and break free of the chains. We can't guarantee you will find the cute girl or boy in the front row though!
