The Penance:
As a contestant in any Toastmasters Contest, the day before transforms into a day-long penance for me, spent confined to a room. I would complete all my household chores in the morning and lock myself up. I come out only during the meal breaks making a swift return within 15 minutes. Well, what do I do there? Let me try to explain from a software engineer's POV :)
Step 1: If your speech is "not satisfactory," then:
- Refine the script
- Refine the gestures and vocal variety
- Rehearse and Record
- Watch the recording carefully and go back to Step 1
Well, Not This Time:
Little did I know that my Division Contest 2023 had other plans. The contest took place in Kanyakumari. I arrived there with my family and friends two days before the contest, and we were planning to explore the tourist spots. The first day was too sunny, and I ended up with a severe headache in the evening. So, the following day, I decided to stay back in the room and begin my penance. However, it proved to be a tough decision, weighed down by concerns for the kids and the fear of missing out on all the fun. Finally, I decided to accompany them, and we had planned to get back by 5:30 PM so that the role players, the speaker and the kids would have sufficient time to prepare/take rest and get ready to attend the contest on the next day.
Heartwarming Moment:
On that day, we created some wonderful memories, and I will never regret my decision. However, at 5:30 PM, we were still several kilometers away from our hotel room. I kept getting calls and messages from my friends and well-wishers checking with me on my mental state, confidence and preparation for the big day. I was under tremendous pressure, as I was representing my club and my area at this level and reaching there wasn't a simple feat; it required numerous sacrifices from my family members at every stage of the contest.
As the calls and messages continued to pour in, I found myself profoundly touched by this heart felt gesture. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized that, over my 8 years in Toastmasters, I've earned genuine connections with people who sincerely wish for my success without any expectation.
Wait, What?
My friends panicked when I mentioned that I was busy 'creating memories' (LOL) and hadn't even started my rehearsals yet. Well, as everyone knows, in the end, it's a mind game, and you need to be mentally prepared to take on the challenge and the rehearsals play a vital role. This is similar to your school/college examination where your revision on the previous day matters the most compared to all your other preparations. In exams, there's a chance to pause and recollect even if you forget midway. However, in a live performance, there's no such luxury. Forgetting means losing the timing, and you must swiftly move on. Many of my friends, being champions themselves, recommended rehearsing as many times as possible and then hitting the bed as early as possible.
To My Rescue:
That is when Dr. Viktor Frankl (Man's search for Meaning) and Mike Carr (2020 World Champion of public speaking) came to my rescue. Mike mentioned during our District conference that his script would run in his mind even when he was playing soccer. Dr. Frankl in Man's search for Meaning, said that a person could gain psychological strength by focusing on a future goal or purpose, even if the present circumstances were challenging.
So, as I sat near the window of the van and watched the sun setting down the horizon, strands of darkness slowly covering the earth, I imagined myself on stage talking in front of hundreds of people. I rehearsed again and again in my mind, until I convinced my brain that I belonged there, confident and ready.
The Dim Room
At 9:00 PM when we reached the hotel room, everyone was extremely tired, and the kids were both cranky and exhausted. My husband took charge of putting them to sleep. I occupied the dimly lit dressing room for my rehearsals. I went to bed as early as possible and managed a few rehearsals in the morning as well.
As the 'D' day unfolded, I found myself exuding nothing but extreme confidence. 'So, what happened on the big day?' Well, this post has already surpassed its word limit (set by yours truly ;)) and the rest of the story is for the next post.