The proud little princess has grown up

Before the Toastmasters program

At a very young age, I went to my mom’s company and met her colleagues for the first time. I hid behind my mom and didn’t dare to say a word to those friendly adults. That was when I was given the nickname “a proud little princess.”

From that moment on, I became nervous about speaking in front of even a small group. I avoided asking questions during meetings and rarely spoke up on any occasion. I believed I was not the type of person who enjoys public speaking at all. My voice was never heard before my Toastmasters years.

Back then, if you had told me that I could host events, be an MC in front of hundreds of people, or even deliver a humorous speech at a stand-up comedy open mic, I would have been quite annoyed and said that it was impossible for me.

During the economic downturn, I was laid off due to my lack of public communication skills. That was the moment I decided to step out of my comfort zone.

Joining the Toastmasters Program

When I first joined Toastmasters, I was still struggling to conquer my fears. Over time, I consistently challenged myself by taking on meeting roles, completing projects, and stepping into leadership positions, from the club level and later transferring to the district level.

Throughout my Toastmasters journey, I continuously pushed myself beyond my limits. I was honored to receive Toastmaster of the Year, President of the Year, and Division Director of the Year, along with several other awards. I competed in contests, organized educational workshops, led Youth Leadership programs, and even founded a brand-new Toastmasters club.

The journey took years, but it helped me build confidence, communication skills, and leadership ability. More importantly, I was able to mentor others along the way, which made the achievement even more meaningful.

The benefits of the Toastmasters program extended far beyond the club, shaping both my personal and professional life. I took on leadership roles at work, chaired large-scale events, and served as an MC for audiences of hundreds. I delivered keynote speeches at the University of Calgary, supported recent graduates in their job search, and even stepped onto the stage as part of a stand-up comedy team, performing at open mic nights.

Toastmasters has been an eye-opening journey for me. Along the way, I made multiple good friends and met life coaches who shaped me into a better version of myself.

Challenges along the way

Nobody can maintain high energy at every moment. Sometimes, when you feel down or low on energy, you may not want to attend club meetings. Don’t be too hard on yourself; you can take a break, as long as you come back.

I have experienced those moments myself. There were times when I didn’t want to attend meetings, didn’t have topics to share, or didn’t feel ready to deliver a presentation in front of others.

Maintaining consistent commitment can be difficult. My suggestion is to take a short break and then return to the meetings. Even if you don’t feel like speaking, you can still learn from other speakers and their feedback, which will benefit both you and the other attendees at each meeting. Trust me, you will be glad you attended the meeting.

Tips to share with Toastmasters

I wish I had known these earlier:

1. Step out of your own club and attend other club meetings, workshops, and contests. You will make many new friends and benefit in many areas of your growth.
2. Write down three small things you did each day before bedtime. These can become potential topics for your prepared speeches.
3. Take on club officer roles and transition into district leadership roles to sharpen your leadership skills.

Looking back

Looking back on my learning journey, I feel deeply grateful that I decided to join Toastmasters 12 years ago. It truly changed my life, and the proud little princess has grown up.

Grace Wang
Distinguished Toastmaster