The past several weeks I’ve been uninspired. Procrastination has been my top adviser. Not really sure why. Perhaps it’s that life is and will always be a goliath-sized roller coaster full of ups and downs. Straight up…I’ve been contemplating whether or not this is the right path for me. Is there enough interest? Are there enough like-minded individuals that can … Read More
Toastmasters Judgement Day: My Final Speech
**Be sure to check out PARTS 1, 2, 3 of the speech contest journey** And now we’ve arrived at the District contest. Judgement Day! This is the last contest before going to the the big dance—the Toastmasters International Convention. That’s where the semi-finals and the finals go down.No pressure :/The preparation leading up to this level was intense. Apart from practicing my … Read More
My Experience In A Toastmasters Speech Contest – PART 3
**Check out PART 1 and PART 2 of the speech contest journey** Fierce competitors. Check. More audience members. Check. Larger venue. Check. More pressure. Absolutely.It had all the ingredients to send a guy to a psychiatrist.First, let me take a step back to the early morning. I was feeling the usual anxiety knowing I’d be competing later that day. I expected … Read More
This Is What It’s Like To Compete In A Toastmasters Speech Contest! – Part 2
Be sure to checkout PART 1 of the contest journey! The journey continues…Public speaking in general can be a trying time mentally and physically. A public speaking contest is more grueling.Just as it was at the club level contest, a place where I’d spoken countless times before, the Area contest cut me no slack; the extra mental pressure I put on … Read More
My Experience In A Toastmasters Speech Contest – Part 1
Some days suck. We’ve prepared our speech, we’re ready to go, but for some reason our mind and body start to go all wacky. We feel physically weak. All the negative “what-ifs” start flickering about. These are the days we silently wish would never come. This happened to me on the day of the Toastmasters club speech contest for the Toastmasters International Speech Contest—the starting point in an … Read More
Get Vulnerable And Get Over Your Fear Of Public Speaking
One of the biggest roadblocks that prevent people from overcoming the fear of public speaking is refusing to admit that it exists…at least when asked about it.In fact, in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), the very FIRST step in their Twelve Step program to overcoming addiction, is to admit there is one. The same can be said for overcoming a fear as terrifying … Read More
How To Use Visualizations To Free Yourself From Negativity
One thing that’s sure to limit our potential as human beings, is worrying about what people think about us.Terry Cole-Whittaker wrote a wonderfully-titled book called What You Think of Me is None of My Business.Damn straight it’s not…at least it shouldn’t be.The nature of growing up in packs (communities), such as going through school, church, or even playing sports, has … Read More
Tactical Talks TOP 5: The Best Public Speaking Articles On The Web – Vol. #5
ROUND 5 OF SCAVENGING BEGINS! Each month I will scour the interwebz looking for the best articles on public speaking.I’ll be looking for topics like these:Overcoming the fear of public speakingPresentation tipsBody language and other technical speaking tipsAnd anything in between…I’m looking for the interesting, the fascinating, the practical, and anything with worthwhile information to help you become a better communicator. … Read More
Say YES To Opportunity Before Fear Can Say NO
Grab a doughnut and let me tell you a story.A couple of weeks ago my friend Joe came across a job opening that required he go from company to company training management teams.It was a non-office job which is exactly what he was looking for.He picked up the phone and gave them a call.After going over the qualifications babble, the talks … Read More
Why You Don’t Need To Burn Yourself With Hot Coals To Build Confidence
Thanks for watching! Please share or I’ll throw hot coals at you! About this guy… Howdy! My name is Matt Kramer and I used to suffer excruciating death when speaking in front of a group, now I LOVE it. Overcoming this fear has changed my life. In less than a year since, I’ve started this website, Tactical Talks, competed and … Read More