It’s been quiet on the blog since the end of the year. Originally I planned to hop right back into reviews, but the holidays cascaded, then I had to work myself out of the email/task black hole at work, and before I knew it I’d unintentionally taken all of January off from blogging. At first…
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I Promise I Have a Point to Make
Speech 3: Get to the Point. The third speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is meant to help me set a speech goal and make sure that every element focuses on it. Picking my topic for this week’s speech was surprisingly difficult. The brief, “Get to the Point,” is right up my alley. I…
Writing Steps for Non-Writers
Speech 2: Organize Your Speech. The second speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program introduces the basic concepts of organizing a speech around a speech outline. Getting back into writing has made it clear to me why most authors are alcoholics, manic depressives, or lunatics. I am not a talented writer by nature. I had…
Love People. Use Things.
The first question my stepmother asked about my apartment in San Antonio was, “Are these all your clothes?” When we moved in July, the movers were surprised: “Only 36 boxes for a three-bedroom apartment?” The accidental minimalist I didn’t set out to be a minimalist. As a kid, I was the opposite: I had so…
Words, Words, Words
Speech 1: The Ice Breaker. The first speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is about introducing myself to the group, providing a benchmark for my current skill level, and standing and speaking without vomiting or passing out. Mr/Madam Toastmaster, fellow members, and guests. I’ve spent most of my life fighting with the voices in…