2/6/22 Toastmasters Speech #3 Vocal Variety and Body Language
INTRODUCTION
“Our speaker today is going to talk about setting your own pace and not being held to other’s timetables. As part of his Innovative Planner Track, this is his third speech with an emphasis on vocal variety and body language. Mr. Timer, Matt will need 5-7 minutes for his talk titled “You Choose Your Timetable.”
Madam President, Fellow Toastmasters, and Guest, “You Choose Your Timetable”.
“Come on Matt! Its Your TURN!” my cousin yelled as I fished on the shore.
“I’m good right now.” I said as I watched my dad and uncle pull my siblings and cousins up on skies. “Matt you gotta practice! Its okay Matt, come on and give it a try!” They all said from the middle of the lake and from the cabin.
My parents had rented a summer cabin on Lake Toxiway with my Aunt Vickie and Uncle Jamie and Grandmama and Granddaddy. You see, what they didn’t realize was that I was watching. Out of the corner of my eye, I was watching. Each of them BUSTED IT. Busted it many times too. And…each time, I was watching out of the corner of my eye. I saw what they did to cause the SPLAT. I watched as they struggled to extend their legs properly out of the imaginary rocking chair start position in the middle of the water.
We had the luxury of learning how to water ski directy out front of our cabin. There were really too many of us to be on the pulling boat at the same time, so most times I volunteered to hang back and fish along the shore for whatever would bite my cricket.
I didn’t realize it until just a few years ago, but this little technique of sitting back, watching and learning until I knew it and was ready…well, that was simply my JAM.
I blew them all away and left them speechless when on the next to the last day, I said “Ok, I’d like to give it a try.” I jumped into the cool summer lake water, put the long skis on my feet, grabbed the ski rope as dad circled with the boat to get into place. I held the ski rope handle tight, bent my knees like I was sitting in a rocking chair, got the rope between my skis……..”Go ahead!” I yelled to captian dad. He gunned it and the old boat motor roared!
I pushed down on my skis and popped right up. I WAS UP! Everyone clapped and cheered! I was skiing! I had successfully gotten up on my first time!
Ya see, my siblings and my cousins all had bruises like they had been in a fight and were sore all over. They had fallen dozens of times while I was fishing…and observing…and taking mental notes. Once I had the correct order and routine in my head, I was ready to go and nailed it on the FIRST TIME.
Fast forward, from when I was 8 to when I was 15 and it was time to go to the DMV and get my drivers permit. Most kids counted down the days…I waited. I quietly watched all my buddies get their license, come back to school and tell me all about what they were learning. After a few months of reading and studying, I went out and ACED the exam. I don’t know what it was, but I wasn’t on their timetable. Quite frankly, I like the fact that I didn’t let peer pressure push me behind the wheel…or behind the skis until I was ready.
Fast forward, to age 38, I was reminded of this story as I recently was studying for my private pilot’s license. I had a coworker start studying for his drone pilot certification. Granted, he is an engineer, a great test taker and a master at reading comprehension, he passed the FAA exam in like 10 days from the time he started studying for it. I have to admit that I was a little jealous at his speed. I wanted that, but did I really? I don’t know, I’m still figuring that out.
I’m not ready to go flying yet…nor am I ready to even take the knowledge test yet. I purchased the text books at the start of Covid 19, back in March of 2020. I have a goal of reading or studying at least one page or 15 minutes for my private pilot. I have completed reading the entire Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronatical Knowledge from cover to cover and am now I’m 2/3rds of the way through the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook.
I’m on my own timetable here, just like when I was water skiing or learning to drive. No one can rush me. I shouldn’t beat up myself either for taking so long. It is a major undertaking and its not like this is all that I’m doing either. I still have a full time job, I still workout at the gym multiple times per week, I still have a family that needs my time too…oh and I’ve started a blog, podcast and YouTube channel called Path to Warren to help document this journey and to hopefully help fund this high flying adventure one day too.
If you have a hobbie you are trying to master or a goal in life you are trying to reach, my experience says that you can’t just push the PAUSE button on life. I can’t stop my full time job. I can’t stop working out. I can’t tell my family that I’m not going to come home until real late each night because I’m studying for this exam. They need me more than I need that pilots license.
What I’m learning is it to go to bed early…like 9 or 9:30pm MAX. Get up early, like 4am. Then, set an achievable goal of reading a page a day in a few different books, just ONE PAGE in each! Turn the page, dog ear, put it on the stack and pick it back up the next day. This practice allows for balance in family, work and true comprehension of multiple subjects over time. Don’t let other people’s activities or time tables dictate YOUR timetable.
Madam President, Fellow Toastmasters, and Guest, “You Choose Your Timetable”. Thanks for letting me share.
