We often admire somebody for their "gifts" such as a musical talent, but do we ever stop to consider how much time that person has invested in perfecting their particular talent?
Often we say, "boy, if only I could be more like him" or "Geez, I wish I could sing like her," but we don't stop to consider the hours of practice that these people put in.
A good example is the Olympic swimming champ Mike Phelps. I really admire him because I'm more of a rock than a cork in the water. So to see someone one with such amazing talent is inspiring to say the least. But I certainly understand that no one in the Olympics got there by talent alone. They also had to spend lots of time practicing.
For me, I would rather spend my time with my family or friends...or reading a good book. But I know there is no substitute for hard work so if I really want to be good at something, I'm going to have to work at it.
Recently, I rejoined Toastmasters after a six-year hiatus. When I was in this "speaking club" before, I was pretty good. They have an international championship of public speaking and in 1997, I'd like to think that I was pretty close to getting on stage with 10 best speakers in the world. However, I spoke too long at a regional competition in Edmonton, Alberta, and was disqualified.
At the time, I have to admit, I wasn't all that disappointed because I had a very busy summer working for MDU. It was at a time when I was helping the company buy a number of important properties out on the West Coast and if I had been practicing for the world championship of public speaking, I would have been distracted from my other work.
However, now I'm a little older and I have a little more time to devote to the craft of public speaking. In March, I'll be competing at the club level. If I win there, I will advance to the area and district competitions, which will be in Bismarck, and then on to the regional competition, which will be in the Black Hills of South Dakota. If I make it there, it's on to the international stage...out in New England next August.
But it all starts here at home...I know I have the talent...but it will I take the time to polish my speeches and make them world class? Time will tell...but believe me, there's no substitute for hardwork.
Recipe - Aunt May's Famous Wheatcakes
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Now Playing - Forever Young by Alphaville RECIPE: MAY PARKER'S FAMOUS
WHEATCAKES Originally made by my pal Pete's Aunt May, these wheatcakes are
a great...
10 years ago
4 comments:
Steve- Good luck with your public speaking competition. You are an excellent speaker and will probably be back in shape at no time. I, much like my father, hate public speaking. I am comfortable with small groups, and topics that I at least know. I recently had to give a speech at college- and have little recollection of it. I must have made it through however because I received an A on the project.
I've often considered Toastmasters...what's involved in joining? I competed in three categories throughout high school and really miss it. It would be fun to work on honing those skills, like you said.
Interesting...the capcha image to verify my comment this time was "worke". Olde English, perhaps!
Clint
Good Luck to you as you once again polish your presentations. I have often been envious of those who possess talents that I do not even have the slightest ability to perform. I love to watch synchronized swimming. However, my life-long fear of water make that an impossible dream. Not gonna happen. You, however, have a talent for speaking. Enjoy!
10 seconds huh... Well if you would make you speeches less funny, people would not laugh as much as you would have made your time. I think you have plenty of materal to work with.
I always wanted to go back to the New England area...
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