Early this year, I chanced to read upon a book on Presentation. The title is 'Presenting to Win' by Jerry Weissman. I loved the book and it helped me deepen my knowledge around presentation and how critical it is to grab the audience's attention and not let go.
I tried implementing the concepts at my toastmaster's speech and it went off, very well. I am sharing the content of the speech (I did make some off the cuff comments, but that is how it is for most speeches anyway :) )
Have you ever seen a video of a
lion strutting about in the jungle? It moves in an absolutely self-assured
manner, so sure of itself, almost arrogantly. There is no fear, no worry for
the lion – After all, it is the king of the jungle! Well, this was how I went
to DMV last year to give my driving test. After all, I had nothing to worry
about. I have driven a car for 10 years!
I was not a beginner!
My wife kept repeating to me –
You need to practice and prepare well. Inspite of multiple reminders, I went to
DMV with not much of practice. After all, why should a 12th grade
student worry about taking a 1st grade exam? I met the DMV
instructor who looked at me, much the way an army officer will look at a new
joinee. Once the instructions were through, we started the drill. All through
the drive, I had a smug smile on my face and towards the end of the drive, I
thought the job was done. The DMV officer looked at me and said ‘You have
failed’. I was shocked! I asked him why and he told me that I had made a dangerous
maneuver. Dangerous maneuver! I have
driven a car for 10 years! I was really angry when I headed back home. I
told my wife that the Fremont DMV office was way too harsh and that I will take
the next exam in a different center.
I walked in to the Tracy DMV
office with a similar air of confidence. After all, one cannot make the same
mistake twice. I conversed with the DMV instructor who was much more friendly.
I proceeded to drive very carefully. At a particular signal, I had to take a
left and when I took that left, I saw another lane to my right as well! The DMV
instructor straightaway said ‘You have failed as it was a lane violation’. I
was flabbergasted. As I went home, I was thinking of what to explain to my wife
who had zero driving experience but had cleared the exam in her first attempt.
I had driven a car for 10 years! How could this happen to me??
And then it struck me the reason
why am failing. It is the very fact that I considered myself above the bar and
neglected putting in the time and effort. It is about having a beginner’s
mindset and all about practice, practice and practice.
I have to have a first grade mindset to clear a first grade exam!
And yes, as a wise man once said, it always makes sense to listen to
one’s better half!
And so, I went back to the
drawing board, not as a lion but as a deer. I practiced with a high degree of
alertness and awareness and I practiced, practiced and practiced. Finally, I
went back to the DMV office (Pleasanton this time) and went through the exam
very cautiously. When I finished, the
DMV instructor proceeded to tell me all the areas that I could improve on.
After some time, I interrupted with a simple question – ‘Did I pass’? She
replied – ‘Yes, but I have to tell you the areas that you should improve to be a
better driver’.
Phew! I was so relieved! It felt
like I have achieved the impossible! At the end of the day, I have gained some
important insights through this experience.
One – It is important to have a
beginner’s mindset and Two – Practice, Practice and Practice more
These are qualities that I hope I
bring into toastmasters and I wish for all of you as well. Thank you!
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