Blog - NUS Toastmasters Club

The power of self talk

February 15, 2019February 7, 2019
by Admin

– Ivan Yeow

“I can’t do it, it’s too hard.”

“No one else has done it before, how would i be able to do it ?”

As we embark on our journey to pursue our goals and dreams, we may face many setbacks. Sometimes it may be due to the sheer difficulty of the task. Sometimes we face rejection from our social circle and our environment. Sometimes, the ones holding us back from getting what we want are ourselves. We tell ourselves we are unable to do things, and due to our own lack of self-belief, we become our own obstacle from getting what we want. Perhaps, there is a need to rebuild this self believe. We have lived for as long as we have, and we are what we are due to the experiences that has molded us. Perhaps the task before us may seem to great. But remember – there is always something similar or challenging that we have done in the past, and because we have done it , we have the ability to do it again. Because we can, we are impervious to any challenges ahead of us. Perhaps, we need to tell ourselves – I can because I have, I can therefore I am.

#FulfillingFridays

Harvesting

February 8, 2019February 7, 2019
by Admin

– Michael Yonathan

Often we face discouragement because we did not get the results of our actions immediately. We studied, but our grades did not improve. We practiced, but we did not get any better. With every action, we are sowing a seed. Some may grow fast, some may not. However, we should remember to focus on the action rather than the result, continue to study, continue to practice. The harvest will come to you when the time is right.

#FulfillingFridays

Perceptions

February 1, 2019February 1, 2019
by Admin

– Clint Ching

Every day, we encounter a variety of things that happen to us. Sometimes they happen by our own hand, other times someone or something else causes it. Some of it good, some neutral, and others bad. Most of the time, our reaction to bad things happening is to curse or rage about it happening and lament about how bad it is. Yet, we fail to realise that often our impression of things is what injures us, that most of our pain comes from our perception of things. This is not to say that the pain is imaginary, but that deciding something is bad only serves to amplify the feeling of how bad it is. Instead, we should strive to see that sometimes bad things just happen to us, to keep our voluntary impressions in check, and to figure out what can and should be done about it.

#FulfillingFridays

Why We Explore Willingly

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019
by Admin

– Rustam Shariq Mujtaba

Socrates once said that “The unexamined life is not worth living”. This movie explains and enhances the old Socratic adage, that life will be fraught with mystery, romance, danger and strife. It should not be feared as that is the embodiment of life. To push beyond and to push forward is when life truly begins. All we have to do is take the first step. Though that step might be miniscule in size, you will enter a different place. It will be a breath of fresh air and it will be exhilarating!

#FulfillingFridays

Experience

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019
by Admin

– Michael Yonathan

We are explorers in this world, and we are faced with new things as we explore. However, at times we would stumble and stop from taking the step forward to try something new. While we may sometimes be discouraged, we need to remember that taking the challenge to experience new things is like completing a puzzle for our life, with that experience being one piece of the big puzzle. With each experience, they not only paint our life, they would teach us valuable lesson. Take every opportunity to experience new things and learn something from it. Experience is the best teacher.

#FulfillingFridays

Humility

January 11, 2019January 11, 2019
by Admin

– Clint Ching

Often, we are told to be humble, that pride comes before a fall and humility is the way to live well. Yet, at the same time, we learn that self esteem is important, and the lack of it leads to depression and inability to live well. So what gives? Too much leads to arrogance, and too litle to self-loathing, with both leading to poorly led lives? Is life trying to constantly balance between the two ends, like a neverending and precarious tightrope walk? No, the answer is simply to pay less attention to yourself. More often than not, what you do matters more than who you are. Thinking negatively of yourself is still thinking of yourself, and not of your actions and habits, which are where the good and bad actually lie. So focus less on who you are, and more on what you do.

#FulfillingFridays

Owning your happiness

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019
by Admin

– Ivan Yeow (PR Subcomm)

99% of people that judge you have no idea what's going on in your life

Along our journey, we encounter rejection, and people who judge us without context – our society, our friends or even our family members. While they may give us further insights to understanding and improving ourselves better, it is paramount that we remember not to let our own voice be drowned out, and because they said no, you stopped working for what you want – your happiness, your dreams and goals. Because ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness. Be humble, have patience, and work towards what you want.

Articles

Two Nights to Remember – Speechcraft Workshops (Oct 2018)

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018
by Wong Sook Wei (PR Subcomm)

Another semester has almost completely gone by, and with it another round of Speechcraft workshops.

This semester’s workshops were held on 9th and 10th October 2018. Despite the crunch period of the semester, we were heartened to see current members and newcomers alike eager to learn and improve in the art of public speaking.

Speechcraft workshops are often conducted by experienced and enthusiastic members of the club, and this round was no exception. Participants were eased into the world of table topics and were given opportunities to try their hand at them, all while under the guidance of their friendly facilitators. They were also given a crash course on Tackling Table Topics by Ashan Asmone, CC on Day 1 and Tan Yong Kee, ACB, ALB on Day 2, both of whom put the audience at ease by walking them through the thought processes behind crafting speaking segments on the fly, and even encouraged a handful of the audience to speak in front of the crowd present at the workshop!

No Speechcraft workshop is complete without a segment on organizing speeches, and in this regard, Chin Jun Han, ACB, ALB reprised the delivery of his educational talk on ‘How to Organize Your Speech’ on both days. His ability to condense the complexities of speech-writing into concrete, simple steps allowed the audience a glimpse into the writing process often utilized by our members, and no doubt helped both newcomers and current members alike appreciate the work that goes into crafting a speech!

It also goes without saying that no NUS Toastmasters workshop is complete without the presence of a certain powerhouse, and our beloved club mentor, Wekie Tay, DTM led his educational talks – ‘Taking the Terror Out of the Talk’ and ‘How Communication and Leadership Can Help You Succeed’ – with aplomb. There is no doubt that Wekie’s oratory skills stand as a testament to the journey one can take to build their confidence, and this is combined with his strong conviction and convincing rationale behind his words. It is hardly a surprise that Wekie succeeded in increasing the confidence of the crowd to the point that there was hardly any hesitation from some in volunteering for table topics, or even managed to convince prospective members of the crowd to consider adding value to their learning experience.

All in all, both days of Speechcraft were a joy to attend, as everyone took away some valuable lessons. To those who joined our family after Speechcraft, welcome aboard! We hope that your time with us will be a journey to remember. To those who wanted to attend but were not able to do so due to other commitments, fret not, for we will see you next semester – the learning never stops!

Club Visits

HKU Space Toastmasters Club Visit – 20th Jun to…

July 9, 2017July 9, 2017
by Leslie Tang

Gallery – For Test

Chapter Meetings

Snippets: International Speech and Table Topics Contest (Finals)

March 5, 2017
by tsewei

February 28.

The very last day of the month marked NUS Toastmasters’ club finals for the International Speech and Table Topics contest.

The torrid downpour half an hour before left the air turgid.

But it did little to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the contest speakers, judges and fellow Toastmasters gathering.

At Faculty of Science, LT25 –

As the energy of the storm outside dissipated and subsided, its residual charge built up into a buzz of excitement and anticipation within the lecture theatre.

Finally, it broke, a crescendo of applause rising to greet the first words spoken by the very first speaker.

The contest began!

First, the prepared speeches.

Each speech a human story, waxing and waning between comedy and tragedy.

Each story, a sweeping vista filled with drama, wonder and laughter.

Next, the table topics.

Where rapier wit meets this enigma of a question: –

“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Each speaker, a matador skilfully skirting and steering the topic – sometimes taking it by its horn.

The crowd, enthralled, cheering and whistling.

In the end, three winners emerged from both international speeches and table topics, two of each category progressing to the area contest.

It was a night to remember, thanks to organising chair Kong Xing Le and contest chair Guo Wanqi.

Leaving all whetted and chomping at the bit for the next speech contest.

Another quality Snippet brought to you by the Media Team, and written by fellow Toastmaster Lim Tong Lee.