Humorous Speech Contest Aug 26th, 2010

On August 26th, 2010, at 5:30pm I thought of making a phone call that I'll probably regret for the rest the week. I thought of calling Debra Bradley, our contest chair for the Humorous & Evaluation Contest that I won't be able to make it for the Contest.

I arrived 25 mins late but lucky me, the Humorous Contest that I've signed up for only began the 2nd half of the meeting. After the first 2 speakers presented, I went on and presented my Humorous Speech, a speech that I prepared about 2 hours before the meeting, including the driving time from Foster City to downtown San Francisco.

When I was at the Club, I felt so bad... and that the thoughts came up .. "Wish I had more time..... "

The winner was announced and "Yes!!", I'm the CHAMPION at my Club Contest!! I thought of winning many times in my mind, but I never thought that I could make it this time cos of 2 hours preparation!!

Nevertheless, I made it. The lesson learned, never prepare last minute!! I promised my Club, I will make a better speech for the Area Contest.

But... frankly, 80% of winning attitude is to show up at the Contest. Am I the best speaker at the Club? No... definitely not and far from it!! 2 other speakers who had signed up, pulled out and few other International Speakers participants, did not enrolled in the contest. Regardless of what the reasons are, by merely showing up at the contest (despite late :)), I'm, already a winner, so as other speakers that evening.

But the other thing I realized, is that it is not 2 hours of preparation that got me to win the contest. It's the hours and hours of preparation I've spent when I started my Toastmasters Journey way back in 2003. I remembered spending 12 hours preparing for my 1st speech, 8 hours for my 2nd speech and countless hours attending Club meetings after meetings..... that eventually pay-off.

Every time we invest time in learning something... we are putting money in our Bank. So, don't think of time wasted and no return. It's an upfront cost that will yield tremendous benefit in the long run.

While there are still a lot more I could learned and improved on my communication skills, I now feel, I appreciate more of the hard works that had been put in.

Being an Asian, with thick Asian-accent and winning a Humorous Contest in United States is no laughing matter. Today, I pat my shoulder and say..... "I deserved a rest".

If you have did something, no matter how big or small it is... pad your back and tell yourself "You deserved it!!"

Tomorrow I'm heading off to Santa Barbara for my Triathlon Race on Saturday. This will be my first official triathlon (1 mile swim, 33 miles bike and 9 miles run).

Here is my 1st speech at Golden Gate Toastmaster Club.




Kian