Toastmasters Table Topics #4 | Facing the certainty of failure, why would you even try to succeed?

I have written about the significance of public speaking in the past. I started this writing series on table topics some months back. The intention was to prepare for the competition. Today, it's time to write on a topic that happened last month.

Due to an unplanned work trip, I had to withdraw my name from the event. There is no reason to stop working on this initiative, though. It will help me prepare for next year's table topic competition. My focus is to become better at public speaking.

As long as I take care of my preparation, I am winning. Posting a short speech helps me visualize delivery. It's a means of preparation for next year's event.

What are Table Topics?

In Toastmasters, "Table Topics" is a segment where participants deliver an impromptu speech. The speech should not be more than two and a half minutes. Table Topics aims to encourage speakers to seize opportunities with promptness. Speakers learn to provide coherent and concise content without prior preparation. It's a valuable exercise for developing spontaneous speaking skills. Something very useful in formal presentations and everyday conversations.

The topic given to the contestants was:

Facing the certainty of failure, why would you even try to succeed?

Topics given during the competition are the easiest to speak on. An easy question provides a fair and equal opportunity to all contestants. There is a catch, though. You can't win only based on your knowledge of the topic. Delivery and presentation must be top-notch to leave a mark on the audience.

The following sections cover my version of the speech.

My Ritual

I follow a ritual for every speech. The routine helps me to compose myself. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that things are in control.

A confident stride to the podium is the easiest way to kickstart the ritual. The next step would be to thank the table topic master and give a firm handshake. Repeating the question will buy me some thinking time.

I won't look at my feet while thinking, as it prevents me from observing my audience. Instead, scanning the audience to form connections will help identify comfort zones.

Speech Delivery

My speech goes as follows:

The answer to this question is in the topic itself. What determines your success? How do you measure success? Does your financial, professional, or relationship status determine your success? Choosing your success parameters requires precision.

Suppose you want to reduce your weight. Don't we all know how to reduce weight? Eat healthy food and cut junk. Add 45 minutes of daily exercise. Sleep and wake up on time. Manage mental fatigue via mediation.

There would be many present in this room who would love to shed a few kilos. Even though we know the tips to do so, many people fail to lose weight. There are many factors, but the core reason behind all the excuses is our weak mental strength.

We try to change things without knowing what we already have. Learn about your personality first. You are successful if you are your best friend. Learning about our personality will help you to design a process. A process that is compatible with our personality. The process changes the success parameters from losing weight to a healthy discipline.

It took me 18 years to quit smoking. In the last five years, though, I changed the parameters for success. The need of the hour was to design a process to explore the reasons behind the urge to smoke. Over time, the process helped me end the deadly addiction.

To conclude, spend enough time to choose the parameters for success. Create a process around these parameters and stick to it. As long as you stick to the process, you are successful.

Thank you

Conclusion

Timing is of the essence during table topic competition. Anything under 30 minutes or over two minutes and thirty seconds is disqualification. The preparation for a table topic competition happens during every club meeting. The contestant should practice stage presence during regular club meetings. They should know the place where the timers are.

Timers use devices to show the contestant the duration of their speech. The device has three lights. The green light turns on at one minute and remains on for 30 seconds. The amber light turns on at one minute 30 seconds and stays on for another 30 seconds. The red light turns on at two minutes until the end of the speech. No audible device, such as a buzzer, shows disqualification.

The contestant should start planning the conclusion immediately after the yellow light. They will have more than one minute to end the speech. Don't be abrupt in your conclusion, but start thinking about it.

I am writing these stories on table topics to create a collection for competitions. It is tough to think on the spot. A compilation like this sounds like an excellent way to practice. Hence, this is my way of visualizing robust and impactful content. Recording these speeches is a part of my routine. It gives me invaluable input to work and improve. THANKS FOR READING THIS PIECE. Positive feedback will help growth.

See below a link of other article from this series on table topics:

Thanks

Tarun