#FulfillingFridays - 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.