We continue my commentary on this meme. http://www.memes.com/img/227011
You can see Part 1 here. You can also see Part 2 here.
30 problems that only introverts can understand.
19. Trying to be extra outgoing when you flirt so your crush doesn't think you hate them.
OK. I'm not really sure that I get this one. I suppose you are as it says friendly and outgoing rather than play it cool around a man or a woman that you find attractive. That is my best guess anyway.
20. When you're asked to do a group project, and know that you're going to hate every minute of it.
Yes, I can relate to this. Sometimes you have to go along with the group and you have to go among with the whim of the strongest person in the group who won't show his or her hand straight away but after listening to everyone not make a good job of the beginning they will just take over and sometimes it can be great and other times it can be a disaster because he or she doesn't want to listen to anyone else and they are away
21. When you hear the question "Wanna hang out?" and your plans start to sweat with anxiety.
This is difficult especially if he or she is a close friend and you do want to hang out but just not today as you promised yourself that you will have an alone night. Of course if your friend is truly your friend then he or she will accept that you want to spend some time alone and let you be and maybe you can do it another night or day.
22. When you hear, "Are you OK?" or "Why are you so quiet?" for the umpteenth time.
This can be quite annoying for an introvert because they are just being themselves but the more social people around us are thinking that because they are not climbing the walls and shouting then they must be sick. Let me repeat, we are just being ourselves and just because we are not conforming to a standard that you believe in, it doesn't make sick or weird.
23. Having visitors stay with you is a nightmare because it means you have to be on at ALL TIMES.
It can be a nightmare or it can be a lot of fun. It depends on what mindset you go with. I have a friend who had come to stay with me on a number of occasions and it is a lot of fun. Sure I don't get enough sleep and I might be forced to step out of my comfort zone from time to time but it can be unforgettable and you might even learn something about yourself and create something that might affect the rest of your life.
24. When people stop inviting you places because you're the one that keeps cancelling plans.
If it is a legitimate reason then go ahead and cancel but if you made plans quite a few days before then try to commit to those plans. Don't just say yes because you are sure that that is what your friend wants to hear. If you don't think you want to, say it there and the and avoid everyone a hassle.
25. Being horrified of small talk, but enjoying deep discussions.
Small talk can be boring but I must admit that it is necessary on occasions because you want to find out about the other person. Here is a tip though: rather than asking "What do you do?" You could ask this question instead, "How do you spend your time?" This means that they don't have to say anything about their job. They can talk about their hobbies passions. That will really get going, believe me.
26. When you need to take breaks and recharge after socialising for too long.
This is non-negotiable. That's it. Non-negotiable.
27. The requirement to think introspectively rather than go to someone else with your problems.
You have to pick your times when you go to someone else for advice or you sort it out yourself. Someone can give you a valuable piece of advice that you haven't thought about but then again you can always trust your own gut instinct and on a lot of occasions that gut instinct of yours is right.
28. Not wanting to be alone, just wanting to be left alone and people not understanding that.
This is a big one. I don't want to be anti-social I just want to be at that time and place by myself. Sure I want to go out for a beer at a later time it is just that now I don't want to. Please understand this and don't take offence. We are not trying to offend you, we are only trying to recharge so that we can have fun next time.
29. When people mistake your thoughtful look for being shy, or worse, moody.
It get this all the time. I'm just thinking about things and trying to work it all out and like most people with thoughts that doesn't involve you.
30. That people need to know that you aren't mad, depressed or anti-social. You just need to not talk to anyone for a while. And that's ok.
All I can say about this is amen. Amen brother. Amen!.
Friday, 14 October 2016
Thursday, 13 October 2016
Introvert Problems Part 2
We continue my commentary on this meme. http://www.memes.com/img/227011
You can see Part 1 here.
30 problems that only introverts can understand.
9. People saying "just be more social."
Believe me, this advice is absolutely terrible. My friend and I have a saying JBC. This means 'just be confident.' How? How the hell can I be ... just more social or how can I be just more confident? I'm sorry, this advice, although I'm sure well meaning is pretty useless. They are just meaningless words. Hmmm, pretty much like small talk, right?
10. When you're able to enjoy parties and meetings, but after a short amount of time wish you were home in your pyjamas.
I'm not sure if I wish I was at home, I think I wish having a drink with one other person or at the most two other people rather than listening to some loud mouth telling some boring story that everyone laughs at but wasn't really that funny. (This sounds like real introvert sour grape, doesn't it?)
11. Staying up late every night because it's the only time that you can actually be alone.
Maybe this might be an option if you live with a lot of other people but when you live alone you have this bliss whenever you want.
12. People making you feel weird by for wanting to do things by yourself.
"You want to do what? What do you mean you want to walk around the Yamanote Line on your birthday? You should have a party with 700 of your closest friends."
It is OK to do things by yourself although I must admit that I struggle to travel by myself. Why is that? Well, it is difficult for me to start up a conversation with a stranger so imagine if I am travelling around Europe by myself for three weeks. Basically the only conversations I would have are:
"Yes, I'll have another beer please."
OR
"A single room please."
13. Having more conversations in your head than you do in real life.
Yep. Guilty as charged. Do you do this as well? It is a lot of wasted energy and it is just not worth it. Think of something else. Be in the present moment. Visualise what is going to happen in the future. Look at number 1 from Part 1.
14. The need to recharge after social situations.
As most of you should know by now, introverts recharge by being alone while extroverts recharge by being in and amongst people. So when an introvert heads on out they are going to want to recharge the batteries big time when they get home. They are going to be exhausted.
15. People calling you out for daydreaming too much.
I suppose this has happened to me from time to time where I have literally tuned out and have been thinking about another thing and people literally slap me to concentrate on what they are saying. I wonder if what they had to say was not interesting or that my thing was just so mush more important. I'm sure that you have all had a moment like this.
16. Carrying a book to a public place so no one will bug you , but other people take that as a conversation starter.
This is an interesting one. I think that one of the secrets for an introvert to compete in an extroverted world is to start a conversation with a complete stranger from time to time and one of the best ways to do that is to use the power of observation. So if the person next to you is reading a book that you may know well you should comment on it. Start a conversation. Although a friend of mine said to me that he started a conversation on the train the other day and the other person couldn't get away from him fast enough.
17. People interrupting your thoughts, and you get irrationally angry.
I'm not sure about this one. Maybe it is the classic one when the girlfriend asks the boyfriend that question, "what are you thinking about?" Nine times out of ten the guy is usually not thinking about anything. You can see more information in the video below.
18. Having to say "I kind of want to spend some time by myself" when you have to deal with that friend who always wants to hang out.
This is a difficult one because you don't want to let your friend down but you really need time to recharge by yourself. I think that you have to treat this case by case. If you feel like it, by all means go out and have that beer however when you don't feel like it, don't do it. You have to be strong and say no thank you, how about another day.
You can see Part 1 here.
30 problems that only introverts can understand.
9. People saying "just be more social."
Believe me, this advice is absolutely terrible. My friend and I have a saying JBC. This means 'just be confident.' How? How the hell can I be ... just more social or how can I be just more confident? I'm sorry, this advice, although I'm sure well meaning is pretty useless. They are just meaningless words. Hmmm, pretty much like small talk, right?
10. When you're able to enjoy parties and meetings, but after a short amount of time wish you were home in your pyjamas.
I'm not sure if I wish I was at home, I think I wish having a drink with one other person or at the most two other people rather than listening to some loud mouth telling some boring story that everyone laughs at but wasn't really that funny. (This sounds like real introvert sour grape, doesn't it?)
11. Staying up late every night because it's the only time that you can actually be alone.
Maybe this might be an option if you live with a lot of other people but when you live alone you have this bliss whenever you want.
12. People making you feel weird by for wanting to do things by yourself.
"You want to do what? What do you mean you want to walk around the Yamanote Line on your birthday? You should have a party with 700 of your closest friends."
It is OK to do things by yourself although I must admit that I struggle to travel by myself. Why is that? Well, it is difficult for me to start up a conversation with a stranger so imagine if I am travelling around Europe by myself for three weeks. Basically the only conversations I would have are:
"Yes, I'll have another beer please."
OR
"A single room please."
13. Having more conversations in your head than you do in real life.
Yep. Guilty as charged. Do you do this as well? It is a lot of wasted energy and it is just not worth it. Think of something else. Be in the present moment. Visualise what is going to happen in the future. Look at number 1 from Part 1.
14. The need to recharge after social situations.
As most of you should know by now, introverts recharge by being alone while extroverts recharge by being in and amongst people. So when an introvert heads on out they are going to want to recharge the batteries big time when they get home. They are going to be exhausted.
15. People calling you out for daydreaming too much.
I suppose this has happened to me from time to time where I have literally tuned out and have been thinking about another thing and people literally slap me to concentrate on what they are saying. I wonder if what they had to say was not interesting or that my thing was just so mush more important. I'm sure that you have all had a moment like this.
16. Carrying a book to a public place so no one will bug you , but other people take that as a conversation starter.
This is an interesting one. I think that one of the secrets for an introvert to compete in an extroverted world is to start a conversation with a complete stranger from time to time and one of the best ways to do that is to use the power of observation. So if the person next to you is reading a book that you may know well you should comment on it. Start a conversation. Although a friend of mine said to me that he started a conversation on the train the other day and the other person couldn't get away from him fast enough.
17. People interrupting your thoughts, and you get irrationally angry.
18. Having to say "I kind of want to spend some time by myself" when you have to deal with that friend who always wants to hang out.
This is a difficult one because you don't want to let your friend down but you really need time to recharge by yourself. I think that you have to treat this case by case. If you feel like it, by all means go out and have that beer however when you don't feel like it, don't do it. You have to be strong and say no thank you, how about another day.
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Introvert Problems Part 1
Over the next three days I want to go through 30 problems that only introverts can relate to and the more extroverted person is probably thinking, WHAT?
You can find the meme here. http://www.memes.com/img/227011
Anyway, without further ado, lets get into the list of problems with my commentary.
1. Practicing conversations with people you'll never talk to.
Does that sound familiar to you introverts? I do this all the time and as it says most of these conversations never happen. Earlier this year I was stressing about a conversation that I was sure that was going to occur and nothing ever came of it. It was just all wasted energy and time and stress when I should have just got on with my life.
2. When you want to cut all ties to civilisation but still be on the internet.
Of course! I might not want to talk to anyone face to face but I still want to know what is going on in the rugby and cricket around the world. Why not? I'm not interacting with anyone. I'm just looking at a computer screen Hey, at least give me the internet.
3. When you friend wants to invite more people over, and you don't want to sound like a bad person by saying no.
I have a friend like this. Every time, I mean every time, "can I bring a friend?" Really? I want to hang out with you. I don't want awkward conversation with someone I just met. That's not the point. I want to catch up with you and you only. Three is definitely a crowd.
4. When spending a heavenly weekend alone means that you're missing out on time with friends.
Yes, I have had weekends like this where I just had to stay by myself because quite frankly I needed the time alone but I still wanted to know what was going on as it was important to me just know what I was missing out on so that in the next instance I could make an "informed" decision about whether or not I should waste my precious alone time by socialising. Hey, for introverts these are big decisions and don't mock them.
5. And you fear that by doing so, you are nearing hermit status.
Lets get it straight, introverts are not hermits, far from it. Also remember that there isn't just two boxes with introverts in one box and extroverts in the other box. There is a scale. Lets say introverts on the left and extroverts on the right, well the hermit will be on the extreme left but most of you who are reading this are not that. You like to socialise on occasions so you will never become a hermit. Most of you have to go to work anyway.
6. When your ride at a party doesn't want to leave early, and no one seems to understand your distress.
My extroverted friend was telling me the other day about his introverted wife trying to drag him out of a party. Usually he is just starting to warm up when she is ready to go home. You can see the conflict in this one, right? Neither person is probably going to understand each other. He probably thinks she is being anti-social and she thinks he is being inconsiderate. I wonder if there are going to many marriages saved after people figure this stuff out.
7. The feeling of dread that washes over you when the phone rings and you're not mentally prepared to chat.
Just don't answer it or better yet, turn your phone off. There you go, problem solved.
8. When you have an awesome night out, but have to deal with feeling exhausted for days after the fact.
See I told you, introverts like to have the night out. We aren't hermits, we like to go out, have a few drinks. Flirt a bit, have a bit of boogie. But we know our limits, we know we can't stay out to the sparrows start chirping. It is just not going to happen. We need time to decompress.
There you have the first 8 of introvert problems. Do you see any of yourself in these? I bet you do. I can relate to all of them.
You can find the meme here. http://www.memes.com/img/227011
Anyway, without further ado, lets get into the list of problems with my commentary.
1. Practicing conversations with people you'll never talk to.
Does that sound familiar to you introverts? I do this all the time and as it says most of these conversations never happen. Earlier this year I was stressing about a conversation that I was sure that was going to occur and nothing ever came of it. It was just all wasted energy and time and stress when I should have just got on with my life.
2. When you want to cut all ties to civilisation but still be on the internet.
Of course! I might not want to talk to anyone face to face but I still want to know what is going on in the rugby and cricket around the world. Why not? I'm not interacting with anyone. I'm just looking at a computer screen Hey, at least give me the internet.
3. When you friend wants to invite more people over, and you don't want to sound like a bad person by saying no.
I have a friend like this. Every time, I mean every time, "can I bring a friend?" Really? I want to hang out with you. I don't want awkward conversation with someone I just met. That's not the point. I want to catch up with you and you only. Three is definitely a crowd.
4. When spending a heavenly weekend alone means that you're missing out on time with friends.
Yes, I have had weekends like this where I just had to stay by myself because quite frankly I needed the time alone but I still wanted to know what was going on as it was important to me just know what I was missing out on so that in the next instance I could make an "informed" decision about whether or not I should waste my precious alone time by socialising. Hey, for introverts these are big decisions and don't mock them.
5. And you fear that by doing so, you are nearing hermit status.
Lets get it straight, introverts are not hermits, far from it. Also remember that there isn't just two boxes with introverts in one box and extroverts in the other box. There is a scale. Lets say introverts on the left and extroverts on the right, well the hermit will be on the extreme left but most of you who are reading this are not that. You like to socialise on occasions so you will never become a hermit. Most of you have to go to work anyway.
6. When your ride at a party doesn't want to leave early, and no one seems to understand your distress.
My extroverted friend was telling me the other day about his introverted wife trying to drag him out of a party. Usually he is just starting to warm up when she is ready to go home. You can see the conflict in this one, right? Neither person is probably going to understand each other. He probably thinks she is being anti-social and she thinks he is being inconsiderate. I wonder if there are going to many marriages saved after people figure this stuff out.
7. The feeling of dread that washes over you when the phone rings and you're not mentally prepared to chat.
Just don't answer it or better yet, turn your phone off. There you go, problem solved.
8. When you have an awesome night out, but have to deal with feeling exhausted for days after the fact.
See I told you, introverts like to have the night out. We aren't hermits, we like to go out, have a few drinks. Flirt a bit, have a bit of boogie. But we know our limits, we know we can't stay out to the sparrows start chirping. It is just not going to happen. We need time to decompress.
There you have the first 8 of introvert problems. Do you see any of yourself in these? I bet you do. I can relate to all of them.
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
Blairina (Griselda)
It really hurts me to write about this today as I can get quite emotional about it all.
Blairina, as you see in the title is name that my friend came up with about times when I don't want to talk with him or when I am out of contact. I don't reply to his email or his texts. It is basically a nickname for my extreme introvert personality.
I'm not alone with this. Eleanor Roosevelt, the former first lady of the United States of America was known to have moods in which she called Griselda.
'Griselda' (Blairina) moments are moments of fear, jealously, sadness in which they get so bad they basically immobilise you. This immobilisation could be a few hours, or a few days or a few weeks. You just want to hide away and not talk to anyone and basically stew in your own juices. Believe me, it is not very healthy at all. It is not fun especially if you are sitting by yourself and constantly looking at Facebook. You see people having fun at the beach or having a great dinner with their partner and you are there in your room wishing that you hadn't been born. It isn't a way to live your life.
How do you get rid of this? How do you get out of bed and face the world with the enthusiasm and intelligence that we all have?
You have to find your purpose. You have to find a why. If you have that then those late nights and those early mornings and those dead end jobs that are paying the bills are going to be worth it.
I found my purpose with this blog. I haven't missed a day for about six months and now I am looking to expand on this blog to bigger and better things.
When you feel that things are not going your way, think about what is your purpose, why have you been put on this earth to do and you will wake up in the morning and want to get going. It won't feel like a chore, it will feel good and you can't help it. You will be on the way to succeeding.
Good luck and if Griselda comes along, kick it out and say you are not going to get me because I know what I am doing.
Blairina, as you see in the title is name that my friend came up with about times when I don't want to talk with him or when I am out of contact. I don't reply to his email or his texts. It is basically a nickname for my extreme introvert personality.
I'm not alone with this. Eleanor Roosevelt, the former first lady of the United States of America was known to have moods in which she called Griselda.
'Griselda' (Blairina) moments are moments of fear, jealously, sadness in which they get so bad they basically immobilise you. This immobilisation could be a few hours, or a few days or a few weeks. You just want to hide away and not talk to anyone and basically stew in your own juices. Believe me, it is not very healthy at all. It is not fun especially if you are sitting by yourself and constantly looking at Facebook. You see people having fun at the beach or having a great dinner with their partner and you are there in your room wishing that you hadn't been born. It isn't a way to live your life.
How do you get rid of this? How do you get out of bed and face the world with the enthusiasm and intelligence that we all have?
You have to find your purpose. You have to find a why. If you have that then those late nights and those early mornings and those dead end jobs that are paying the bills are going to be worth it.
I found my purpose with this blog. I haven't missed a day for about six months and now I am looking to expand on this blog to bigger and better things.
When you feel that things are not going your way, think about what is your purpose, why have you been put on this earth to do and you will wake up in the morning and want to get going. It won't feel like a chore, it will feel good and you can't help it. You will be on the way to succeeding.
Good luck and if Griselda comes along, kick it out and say you are not going to get me because I know what I am doing.
Monday, 10 October 2016
John Gleeson: An Australian cricket player
I grew up playing cricket. In the summer we played cricket and in the winter I played soccer or (field) hockey.
I haven't watched much cricket recently and haven't played for a number of years but I still follow the game and one of the best ways to follow it is this website.
Cricinfo is one of the most popular websites on the internet. Well it helps that cricket is the most popular sport in India. On Cricinfo you can get all the latest cricket information with live scoring and statistics and videos an everything you would expect for a website produced by ESPN.
One of the interesting features of the website however are the interesting articles about bygone eras and past players and the behind the scenes look at cricket all through the ages.
I came across this article on the Cricinfo homepage and what drew me to it was the sentence, '... unreadable on and off the field.'
Hmmm, I thought I wonder what that means. I read the article about John Gleeson, an Australian cricketer of the 1960's and 1970's.
Obviously the article talked a great deal about his cricket career and what he had achieved but there was a little part about his nickname, CHO which stood for 'cricket hours only.' Basically his team mates would see him at the practice nets and the game and that was it. He remained a mystery.
I wonder if this was because he preferred to spend time alone. He enjoyed cricket and he enjoyed the challenge of the sport but in the end he wanted to spend time alone or with his partner and that is how he energised for the next day of cricket.
A lot of sports that I grew up around are very much a social thing. Cricket, rugby, hockey, soccer etc. You make lifelong friends and you make memories that will last with you for the rest of your life. Team mates go out together, they drink together, they eat together, they are basically friends both on and off the field because basically they spend so much time together.
I never had this. My friends were not really guys I played sport with. I didn't hate them, actually I got on quite well with them and I still keep in contact with them on Facebook etc but besides cricket or any of the other sports we really never had anything in common.
I wonder if this was the same with John Glesson. He enjoyed his cricket. He enjoyed the success that he had with it but I wonder if his personality wasn't suited to team sports. He wasn't one of the boys. He was someone who liked to take time out by himself to recharge. Obviously to his more social team mates this would be considered weird behaviour.
The ironic thing about this article is however is that the writer, Ashley Mallett is also a quiet guy. I think his nickname was Rowdy which was a reference to his quiet nature. It's ironic isn't it? Because you are quiet it is considered almost strange in a team environment. I had that experience in my sporting career.
In sports and especially in team sports you are going have all sorts of characters in your team. Just because your team mate doesn't want to go drinking with you doesn't make him or her weird. Accept that they just like to spend time alone. But remember that when they get out on the field or court, they are not going to let you down.
I haven't watched much cricket recently and haven't played for a number of years but I still follow the game and one of the best ways to follow it is this website.
Cricinfo is one of the most popular websites on the internet. Well it helps that cricket is the most popular sport in India. On Cricinfo you can get all the latest cricket information with live scoring and statistics and videos an everything you would expect for a website produced by ESPN.
One of the interesting features of the website however are the interesting articles about bygone eras and past players and the behind the scenes look at cricket all through the ages.
I came across this article on the Cricinfo homepage and what drew me to it was the sentence, '... unreadable on and off the field.'
Hmmm, I thought I wonder what that means. I read the article about John Gleeson, an Australian cricketer of the 1960's and 1970's.
Obviously the article talked a great deal about his cricket career and what he had achieved but there was a little part about his nickname, CHO which stood for 'cricket hours only.' Basically his team mates would see him at the practice nets and the game and that was it. He remained a mystery.
I wonder if this was because he preferred to spend time alone. He enjoyed cricket and he enjoyed the challenge of the sport but in the end he wanted to spend time alone or with his partner and that is how he energised for the next day of cricket.
A lot of sports that I grew up around are very much a social thing. Cricket, rugby, hockey, soccer etc. You make lifelong friends and you make memories that will last with you for the rest of your life. Team mates go out together, they drink together, they eat together, they are basically friends both on and off the field because basically they spend so much time together.
I never had this. My friends were not really guys I played sport with. I didn't hate them, actually I got on quite well with them and I still keep in contact with them on Facebook etc but besides cricket or any of the other sports we really never had anything in common.
I wonder if this was the same with John Glesson. He enjoyed his cricket. He enjoyed the success that he had with it but I wonder if his personality wasn't suited to team sports. He wasn't one of the boys. He was someone who liked to take time out by himself to recharge. Obviously to his more social team mates this would be considered weird behaviour.
The ironic thing about this article is however is that the writer, Ashley Mallett is also a quiet guy. I think his nickname was Rowdy which was a reference to his quiet nature. It's ironic isn't it? Because you are quiet it is considered almost strange in a team environment. I had that experience in my sporting career.
In sports and especially in team sports you are going have all sorts of characters in your team. Just because your team mate doesn't want to go drinking with you doesn't make him or her weird. Accept that they just like to spend time alone. But remember that when they get out on the field or court, they are not going to let you down.
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Why Toastmasters?
Have you heard of Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a worldwide organisation formed in 1924 with the aim of helping it's members build their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
I have attended a few Toastmasters clubs and the procedure of the meetings are basically the same. Each club has their own idiosyncrasies but the concept is consistent.
Each meeting has people who have roles in the meeting.
There is the Toastmaster of the Day who basically runs the meeting. The chairperson so to speak.
Other roles in the meetings are a grammarian who talks about the language used in the meeting.
There is an um and ah counter. When you are speaking they try to persuade you not to say these ums and ahs. I know that at one of the clubs I went to we were fined for each um and ah.
There is also a timer for each meeting who times the speeches.
Basically each meeting is divided into three sections, the prepared speeches, table topics and evaluations.
Prepared speeches are exactly what it sounds like. Three or four club members each meeting prepare a speech to present in front of the meeting. These speeches can be anywhere between four to ten minutes in length.
My favourite part of a Toastmasters meeting is the Table Topics section which is basically an impromptu speech. Depending on time there can be quite a few two minute speeches with the Table Topics Master giving you a topic.
Depending on the topic it can be quite fun or it can be quite tortuous and believe me I have had them both where the speech just flowed or it was the longest two minutes of my life.
The final part are the evaluations where everyone is evaluated, the speeches as well as the people who had roles in the meeting. I think this is the most difficult part of the meeting and I know that I always wanted to do a role that wasn't an evaluator when I first joined the club. However, as I got more and more experienced I found that being an evaluator was quite fun as well because you had to really listen to what was been said.
If you really want to develop your confidence and your public speaking ability, I strongly suggest you check out a Toastmasters club near you. At the very least you are going to have some fun and you are going to meet some interesting people.
Here is the link. Look for that club and go along to a couple of meetings. It might be for you and it might not, you won't know until you go along.
Toastmasters is a worldwide organisation formed in 1924 with the aim of helping it's members build their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
I have attended a few Toastmasters clubs and the procedure of the meetings are basically the same. Each club has their own idiosyncrasies but the concept is consistent.
Each meeting has people who have roles in the meeting.
There is the Toastmaster of the Day who basically runs the meeting. The chairperson so to speak.
Other roles in the meetings are a grammarian who talks about the language used in the meeting.
There is an um and ah counter. When you are speaking they try to persuade you not to say these ums and ahs. I know that at one of the clubs I went to we were fined for each um and ah.
There is also a timer for each meeting who times the speeches.
Basically each meeting is divided into three sections, the prepared speeches, table topics and evaluations.
Prepared speeches are exactly what it sounds like. Three or four club members each meeting prepare a speech to present in front of the meeting. These speeches can be anywhere between four to ten minutes in length.
My favourite part of a Toastmasters meeting is the Table Topics section which is basically an impromptu speech. Depending on time there can be quite a few two minute speeches with the Table Topics Master giving you a topic.
Depending on the topic it can be quite fun or it can be quite tortuous and believe me I have had them both where the speech just flowed or it was the longest two minutes of my life.
The final part are the evaluations where everyone is evaluated, the speeches as well as the people who had roles in the meeting. I think this is the most difficult part of the meeting and I know that I always wanted to do a role that wasn't an evaluator when I first joined the club. However, as I got more and more experienced I found that being an evaluator was quite fun as well because you had to really listen to what was been said.
If you really want to develop your confidence and your public speaking ability, I strongly suggest you check out a Toastmasters club near you. At the very least you are going to have some fun and you are going to meet some interesting people.
Here is the link. Look for that club and go along to a couple of meetings. It might be for you and it might not, you won't know until you go along.
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Netflix and ..... Pizza
This is an interesting article. It says to stop calling yourself an introvert. I agree don't call yourself an introvert but remember that that is what you are though.
You don't have to call yourself an introvert, I agree with that however you do need to remember how you recharge. How you get your energy back. Don't be someone that you are not. Don't go out when you want to stay in. Have that pizza and watch Netflix as the article suggests.
Where I take issue with this article is that introverted people love to identify themselves as that.
Well it has just been in the last few years that people in this obviously extroverted world have taken notice that introverts are not these weird people who are sitting in the corner by themselves. They are doing that because they are trying to refuel and the more social people in our society who are wondering why they don't want to engage in banal conversation are not helping matters much.
I must admit that it is nice to know what you are and why you are doing something, so don't call yourself an introvert but know that is what you are and realise that you don't have to do what the extroverted society says to do on a Friday night.
What can I say? Get out that pizza delivery menu. Order yourself a pizza. Personally I like pineapple on mine and park yourself in front of the television. Turn on Netflix and away you go. Have the time of your life and don't worry what the haters are saying. You are being true to yourself and that is all we can ask.
You don't have to call yourself an introvert, I agree with that however you do need to remember how you recharge. How you get your energy back. Don't be someone that you are not. Don't go out when you want to stay in. Have that pizza and watch Netflix as the article suggests.
Where I take issue with this article is that introverted people love to identify themselves as that.
Well it has just been in the last few years that people in this obviously extroverted world have taken notice that introverts are not these weird people who are sitting in the corner by themselves. They are doing that because they are trying to refuel and the more social people in our society who are wondering why they don't want to engage in banal conversation are not helping matters much.
I must admit that it is nice to know what you are and why you are doing something, so don't call yourself an introvert but know that is what you are and realise that you don't have to do what the extroverted society says to do on a Friday night.
What can I say? Get out that pizza delivery menu. Order yourself a pizza. Personally I like pineapple on mine and park yourself in front of the television. Turn on Netflix and away you go. Have the time of your life and don't worry what the haters are saying. You are being true to yourself and that is all we can ask.
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