The Trophy

I have been part of this organization at work now for around a year and half. Its called Toastmasters (toastmasters.org) Its a group of individuals who come together to learn more abour themselves and build on their confident skills as leaders.

Here is my latest speech, enjoy!

Jacqueline "first place" Hernandez is not really my middle name, but let me tell you about a time when I felt like a million bucks.

I have been an active member of Toastmasters for around a year and half now and its common to receive emails or announcements about area or district contests in the area.  My first thought every time is, "Are you kidding me, I am nervous enough at my own meetings, why would I torture myself and go somewhere and be judged by even more talented people."

I don't remember how or when but somehow I volunteered to participate in the area contest to compete in table topics. I figured all I had to do with limit my um and ah and speak from one to two minutes on a random topic they present, so how hard could that be.

Luckily, I received a friendly reminder the week of and my hurt heart sank to the floor while I read that email.

"What the heck, have I done to myself. Am I really doing this?" The contest was only 5 minutes from where I live and it started at 9:30 am so I could still sleep in a little.

The morning of, I kept telling trying to figure out excuses to bail, such as, it was the first Saturday all year where the high was going be in the 70s and the next day snow. There was no way, I was going to spend it indoors in a library listening to speeches.

Needless to say, I was there 9:30 am sharp and hoped I had remembered to put on some deodorant before I left the door. With the exception of 4 of us, the median age was around 55. I was completely out of comfort zone. People had name tags, binders, pads of paper and were ready to go.

I signed in, filled out the paperwork and quietly waited for instructions. I kept seeing everyone so relaxed and socializing with each other and knew today was going to be an experience.

Each speech was beautifully presented with perfect body movements, lack of notes, great eye contact. I knew when it was my turn to talk all eyes were going to  be on me and didn't want that attention whatsoever.

It was 5 til 11 and the toastmaster announced there was a break. "What a break? I want this contest to be over. I will not be able to compete with these amazing individuals that I have just heard." I thought.

Table topics was the last portion of the contest so the anticipation was literally killing me and all I knew was keep your arms down because you will be sweating like a pig. I was feeling like the individuals in the 90s sure commercials "sure, sure, sure, unsure, unsure, unsure.

I had the privilege to begin the contest. The toastmaster said my name and I walked up and shock her hand and she said the magic words I had been waiting for all morning, "Jacqueline Hernandez, social media Jacqueline Hernandez"

I had it in the bag, what kind of 30 year old doesn't have an opinion on social media.  I was confident and sure during that minutes and even spoke past the one minute mark.

That morning ladies and gentlemen I received my first trophy ever. First place my friends. I won't tell you how many people I was up against because that will spoil the story.

This trophy is a symbol of many firsts to come as Toastmaster has truly enabled me to have the confidence I had buried inside of myself.

I am not perfect my any means nor does this mean I will join each contest that occurs in our area and district, but I am grateful for the experience that Toastmaster provided me that morning and I am a proud member of this organization.