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People put off professional development for many reasons. If you have
avoided joining UT Toastmasters for any of the following
reasons, please reconsider. Toastmasters may not be what you think!
"Thanks" to UT Toastmasters for providing these myths and
realities. These myths are copyrighted material by UT Toastmasters and may
not be reused without our specific consent. Please contact us via
E-mail for permission.
Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 by UT Toastmasters.
- Myth 1:
I don't need Toastmasters
because I have been giving presentations for years.
Reality 1: ...and you are probably
using the same techniques you started with years ago. For experienced
speakers, Toastmasters is a way to expand and modernize
your presentation style. You will get honest feedback about your style and good suggestions
for alternative techniques.
Myth 2: I don't need Toastmasters
because I don't give speeches.
Reality 2: What about when your
boss asks for a status
report on your project? What about when you talk to someone on the phone to ask a question or give
information? What about when you present an idea at a staff meeting? The more you consider your
business and personal conversations as "presentations", the more care you will give that
conversation and the more professional it will be. UT Toastmasters will help you develop that
professional edge.
Myth 3: I'm not smart enough. I'll
be embarrassed. I can't think of anything to talk about.
Reality 3: Everyone is smart
enough. Everyone has things
that interest them and which they can share. You won't be any more embarrassed than you are about
other things when with friends. Have you got a hobby? What is your job like? Do you have
kids, a spouse, other family? Have you ever fixed something? Where did you go on your last
vacation? You have a lot to say!
Myth 4: I'm a non-exempt employee.
I'm only
part-time. I'm a student.
Reality 4: Membership in UT
Toastmasters is open to all employees non-exempt, exempt, full- and
part-time, faculty and we include students as well. The atmosphere at UT
Toastmasters is very casual, supportive, and friendly. We like coming
together every week and seeing each other.
Myth 5: The other members are
already good speakers. I'd be nervous.
Reality 5: While the current UT
Toastmaster membership does have good speakers, everyone starts at the
same place. Even the most experienced speakers are nervous. Toastmasters
won't be able to eliminate that. What we can do, however, is help you discover
a way to use that adrenaline to your advantage. Many of the senior
members continue to attend and give presentations because even though they
have improved their speaking skills, there is always something new to
learn from each other.
Myth 6: You have to attend every
meeting every week.
Reality 6: You can attend as many
meetings as you want.
There is no minimum requirement. As a courtesy to the other members and to get all the good from
the organization as possible, you should participate in meetings regularly either as a speaker or
in one of the other functions but you choose how often you can attend. Just being there as an
audience for the other speakers is vital!
Myth 7: Each speech is
criticized.
Reality 7: Toastmasters is
adamantly against criticism. Our
keyword is "evaluation" and we concentrate on helping each person understand what they are doing
RIGHT and suggest alternatives for future presentations. This is not to make you change but to help
you build your speaking toolkit. The more tools you are experienced with the more options you have
in various communication situations.
Myth 8: Toastmasters is very time
consuming.
Reality 8: The amount of time you
give to Toastmasters
depends on you and your needs. Giving presentations does require preparation, but you can
use topics associated with work or home so content preparation is minimal. You can also space your
presentations to meet your schedule. Other program functions such as evaluator and timer require no
preparation. Tabletopics and Toastmaster require some very limited preparation, or none at all, if
you think fast on your feet! You attend as many meetings as you can. There are no "musts."
Myth 9: I want to, but I don't
have the time.
Reality 9: If you want to and need
to, you can find the time. It's just one lunch hour a week within a
10-15 minute trolley ride to the Conference Center. All members are busy
people with limited time but most find the weekly hour of Toastmasters a
positive way to spend lunch and we eat our food during the meeting. You
can come a little late and leave a little early if your schedule demands
it. Finding time is a matter of need and commitment.
If you still have questions and concerns about UT Toastmasters, please
check our
Contacts page and talk to an officer. You can also
send E-mail.
Check our
Meetings page for date/time details. Bring your lunch and visit as
many times as you wish. Visitors won't be asked to speak.
Come and see what UT Toastmasters is all about!
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