BeGes President’s Newsletter December 2017
Compare and Despair!
BeGes,
When we first come to Toastmasters, it's usually because we're not comfortable with speaking in public. We listen to other club members stand up and talk, and can never imagine that we'll ever be as good as they are.
This extends when we step into roles. How can I ever be as good a - grammarian, evaluator, toastmaster, (fill in the blank).
It's not useful to compare ourselves to others. It's like mentally tying our shoelaces together. It will only trip us up in our own progress.
Stepping into leadership positions, even if you're capable of fulfilling the requirements, the titles of president and vice president are daunting ones. It can take some time to get into the swing of things.
It's comforting to realize that in learning organizations like Toastmasters, we aren't expected to be automatic experts. We're in positions to learn and grow.
Toastmasters has a couple of mottos, one is "Practice makes Perfect", and the other is "Where Leaders Are Made". I'd like to offer another one - Progress Not Perfection. Because even though we're aiming at Perfection, any experienced Toastmaster knows you don't ever reach it.
We come to Toastmasters from different backgrounds, and each have different goals. The best comparison, I've found, is my current Toastmaster self with who I was when I first came to BeGes. I am so much better at pretty much everything now. And still have lots of room to grow.
Next Officer's Meeting
Friday, October 8th 1pm. All members are welcome, come check out what happens behind the scenes and beyond the meetings that help to create our group!
This extends when we step into roles. How can I ever be as good a - grammarian, evaluator, toastmaster, (fill in the blank).
It's not useful to compare ourselves to others. It's like mentally tying our shoelaces together. It will only trip us up in our own progress.
Stepping into leadership positions, even if you're capable of fulfilling the requirements, the titles of president and vice president are daunting ones. It can take some time to get into the swing of things.
It's comforting to realize that in learning organizations like Toastmasters, we aren't expected to be automatic experts. We're in positions to learn and grow.
Toastmasters has a couple of mottos, one is "Practice makes Perfect", and the other is "Where Leaders Are Made". I'd like to offer another one - Progress Not Perfection. Because even though we're aiming at Perfection, any experienced Toastmaster knows you don't ever reach it.
We come to Toastmasters from different backgrounds, and each have different goals. The best comparison, I've found, is my current Toastmaster self with who I was when I first came to BeGes. I am so much better at pretty much everything now. And still have lots of room to grow.
Joan Newcomb
BeGes President 2017-2018
Friday, October 8th 1pm. All members are welcome, come check out what happens behind the scenes and beyond the meetings that help to create our group!
Come See our Past President and Current VPE and new Region 1 International Director Mary Morrison! The Sound Advice Advanced Leadership Club is hosting a meet and greet on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 6pm in Tacoma.
Mary will be leading an interactive workshop entitled “Leading with Heart and Hunger”. Mary’s career with the city of Tacoma and her Toastmasters journey have brought her to this pinnacle of leadership. Come hone your leadership skills with advice from District 32’s finest! http://d32toastmasters.org/mary-morrison-leading-heart-hunger/
