Turning Pro

Today I've decided to turn pro. Marie Forleo introduced me to this concept that apparently originated
by Steven Pressfield. The value in this concept comes to light when you contrast the behavior of an amateur with that of a pro.

An amateur is a person who doesn't take their work seriously. They commonly flake on their commitments, and are easily distracted by outside forces. The amateur rarely gets anything done, but frequently has a surplus of excuses instead.

A pro is someone who shows up no matter what and gets results. The pro never has an excuse as to why something didn't get done. A pro is not exempt from life’s challenges, yet they figure out a way to make things happen despite the challenges.

If you are anything like myself you have some ambitious projects. Maybe a blog, podcast, or perhaps a Toastmaster’s project, yet you have a hundred things going on all the time. I am a husband, father, son, brother, friend, coach, blogger, pricing manager, as well as a Toastmaster. Some of these roles are more demanding than others but they all require an investment of my time.

My kids are all school age and play sports so there is homework to check, books to read, folders to sign along with practice and games. Then there’s this whole issue of food, shelter, and clothing. My family is very close-minded when it comes to having a roof over their head, clothes on their back and food on the table so I must work.

The point being, we are all super busy, yet the “Pros” find a way. If they've committed to speaking they will speak. If they've committed to posting an article they will post it. If they committed to producing a podcast they will produce it.

The power of this concept is in the question; are you operating like an amateur or are you operating like a pro? It’s a simple question, but the answer is profound. At the most fundamental level an amateur is an amateur because they behave like an amateur and a pro is a pro because they behave like a pro. Join me in turning pro in 2014.

Marshall Lehr CC, ALB

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Spring Fever has hit Top of Texas Toastmasters!

"Spring Fever" has hit Top of Texas Toastmasters! This past Saturday we held our spring club contest with five competitors, numerous members acting as timers, judges, and ballot counters, and a guest!

We heard three inspirational International Speeches from Marshall Lehr, Aparna Valluri, and Regina Clay. Marshall told us how his mom used a yellow backpack he got as a child to teach him that he can do anything he wants to do and be anything he wants to be! Aparna spoke about the strange gifts she received from her grandmother, a remote control and a set of keys, and how these gifts have guided her through her life. Regina inspired us to take control of our emotional vikings.

Our two Tall Tales speeches were given by DeAnna Wolf and Larry Nickerson. DeAnna was a secret operative saving the world from invading aliens with her rocket launcher and laser gun. Larry, or Sir Henry, was an ex CIA agent saving the world with his black and green sparkly scarf and yellow hard hat! Both speeches were quite entertaining and had the audience laughing!

After competitor interviews and light refreshments, the club contest winners were announced. For the International speech contest, Regina Clay was the second place winner and Aparna Valluri was the first place winner! For the Tall Tales contest, Larry Nickerson was the second place winner and DeAnna Wolf was the first place winner. Aparna and Deanna will move on to the Area 14 “Speakin’ Safari” Spring Contest to be held on Saturday, March 29 at the Benbrook Public Library at 12:00 pm.

Lina Choun

Spring 2014 Speech Contest - February 22nd

At Toastmasters, contest season comes twice a year: Spring and Fall.  With Spring just around the corner, it is time for our Spring contests: Tall Tales and International speech contests.

You may be wondering what this means, Tall Tales and International speeches.  Simply put, contestants compete for the best Tall Tale speech or compete for the International speech.  While held at the same gathering, there are technically two contests, and two sets of contestants.  Though sometimes, one contestant will participate in both contests by giving two different speeches.

What is a Tall Tale speech? It is a creative, imaginary story told in 3 to 5 minutes.  The contestant must use his or her imagination to develop and present a story that has exaggerations, plot twists and turns, and is generally entertaining.  Many Tall Tale speeches are humorous.

An International speech is typically an inspiring topic and theme.  The best contestant from each club moves up to complete against other contestants in area, division, and then district.  What is special about the International speech is that the best speaker from each District has the opportunity to compete at the International level against contestants from all over the world.  This year the International speech contest will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the 2014 Annual International Convention!  Now that’s an exciting destination!

When does all this take place?  Top of Texas will be holding its Spring contest this Saturday, February 22, at 9 am, and we have several members prepared to compete, potentially moving up to the District 25 contest and even beyond, to the International level!  Join Top of Texas during this time for levity, networking, and of course (free) refreshments.  It’s a good time!

Ana Ortega, CC, ALB

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Share The Love!

Saturday, February 15, Top of Texas met and had an extremely active meeting, with three speeches. In attendance were two guests, and I got to lead the meeting with my theme, “Share the Love,” a new take on Valentine’s Day. Instead of focusing on the holiday, I changed things up and noted that February 14 was also the nine year anniversary of YouTube!

We had three exceptional speeches, first was Shannon Watenpaugh’s, “Go for the Gold.” In her speech she gave plenty of tips on how to achieve personal goals. It was also Shannon’s TENTH speech, and she will now be recognized next month for acquiring her Competent Communicator title.

Aparna Valluri gave the second speech, noting the vast changes decades has had on our day-to-day habits, using her grandfather as an example of someone who had kept true to a simple livelihood. It was a remarkable speech incorporating visuals.

Jodie Sanders gave the final speech announcing to the club that she will run for Lieutenant Governor of Marketing and the campaign has begun! We all wish her well on her High Performance Leadership project and her run for District Office.

Also, one of the guests became a member of our club; Top of Texas is a fire than cannot be stopped!

We had three great Table Topics questions and speakers, with Anne Brown winning the vote, and I can’t wait to see everyone and any guests next Saturday for our Top of Texas Club Contest!

DeAnna Wolf

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Happy Birthday Top of Texas Toastmasters!

This year is our 12th Anniversary! Top of Texas Toastmasters chartered on February 4, 2002 as a corporate club at Con-Way Freight in North Richland Hills. Three years later, it became a community club - still meeting in the North Richland Hills area.

The club struggled along for several years with membership hovering between 11 to 13 members. We had several coaches who worked with the club to try to get membership up to 20 people but it just didn’t happen. At some meetings, there would only be 2 or 3 members in attendance. We were a failing club.

And then things began to change. We lost our location in North Richland Hills. Our newest members, Dan and Faith Pinto, offered us a place to meet at the Northwest Bible Church, our current location. Then we voted to change our meeting time from Thursday evenings to Saturday mornings. At the time we were the only club in District 25 meeting on Saturdays. Then we got another coach, Larry Nickerson, and our members got fired up and got active! They were passionate, competitive, and organized. They hung fliers all around the neighborhood. They organized Youth Leaderships and Speech Crafts. They put info in the local newspaper and the Star Telegram. Then we started getting new members.

The 2009-2010 year was the first year we met both membership and distinguished club goals. Because of our comeback from near death we received the Phoenix Award. The Phoenix Award was based on the mythological creature that died by fire, was reborn and rose from its ashes.

We’ve been doing well ever since; achieving our membership and distinguished club goals for the Distinguished Club Program while also reaching personal goals for our members.

2012-2013 President's Distinguished Club: We had 21 members and achieved 9 DCP goals.
2011-2012 President's Distinguished Club: We had 23 members and achieved 9 DCP goals.
2010-2011 Select Distinguished Club: We had 20 members and achieved 8 DCP goals.
2009-2010 President's Distinguished Club: We had 20 members and achieved 9 DCP goals.
2008-2009: We had 11 members and achieved 9 DCP goals.
2007-2008: We had 13 members and achieved 6 DCP goals.
2006-2007: We had 11 members and achieved 4 DCP goals.
2005-2006: We had 13 members and achieved 7 DCP goals.
2004-2005: We had 11 members and achieved 3 DCP goals.

Sandra Price, DTM

Great Start for February!

What a great start to the month of February! There were twelve in attendance at our meeting on February 1st including two guests.

We celebrated the 12th Anniversary of Top of Texas. The club was started on February 4, 2002. Our Toastmaster of the day, Sandra Price, gave us a brief history of our club. Top of Texas struggled with membership for many years but in 2009 we rose from the ashes (winning a Phoenix award) and reaching President’s Distinguished status. What an inspiring story!

We listened to a very informative speech given by Jodie Sanders about Asperger’s syndrome. We all left with a greater knowledge of what the disease is and how it affects both those suffering from it and their families.

Ana Ortega entertained us with clever questions. If given a choice of watching the Super Bowl or the Puppy Bowl how would you have answered?

Come join the fun next Saturday morning!

Cindy Hinckley, DTM

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