Toastmasters

The following is my ACS speech presented on 21st June 2009 at South Delhi Toastmasters.

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The Persuasive Leader :: Project 5 :: Persuasive Speaking Manual

Title: My Empire

Objectives:

• Communicate your vision and mission to the audience.

• Convince your audience to work toward achieving your vision and mission.

Time : 6-8 Minutes

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Can the will of one man forge an empire?

Mr Toastmaster, fellow members and distinguished guests.  I am a complete game freak. I love strategy games and can spend my whole day just playing them. There is one game that I love to play and especially when I am stressed I play it. It’s pretty old and I have played it almost since the day it got released. Once I used to play it every day now it’s about once a week. It’s called the Age of Empires II.

This game just like many other strategy games has scenarios / campaigns based on certain part of history that the users can play. There is one such campaign about Frederick Barbarossa. The description begins with can the will of one man forge an empire? I have played this campaign the most, and the story and description got stuck in my mind. Over the years I thought a lot about it. And I did realise that the will of one man can forge an empire. Barbarossa’s empire was a geographical one. Mine need not be the same. It could just be an empire.

Before I joined toastmasters, I was going through a rough patch of low confidence, low self esteem, and even then I had the wish of forging my own empire, even though I lacked the will for the same. I was good in many things, but none consistently. The only thing I was good at were the dark arts of hacking, which made everyone around me very uncomfortable. I needed something good to prove to myself and to others that I am not a danger to them and society.

The day I first walked into toastmasters, I had chosen south Delhi toastmasters. I had chosen it initially not only because it was close to my home. Another club was closer, but at that time they had mentioned on their website that membership criteria required. And in case of South Delhi, it said open to all. Those words made me feel more welcome.

The fateful day of 27^th September 2007 when I walked into south Delhi toastmasters club the first time, I started having thoughts of what was I doing here. It was not second thoughts, but rather 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th as well! The moment I entered the room, I scanned it for life forms thinking if I dont find any, I can run away. Then I saw someone smile and it made me forget my apprehensions. The 1^st two people I met were Manoj Pandey and Mohd Danish. Danish isn’t with us here, but you all know Manoj. In the 1^st few meetings I saw many people give speeches and perform in front of others. And I even got my sole Best Table Topics speaker in the 1^st meeting I attended. I realized then that this was where I could forge my empire. I still may not be the best speaker in the world or even among those sitting with me today. But I have made my mark in my own way. My empire consists of friends who like me for who or what I am and not because how much money my father has. Joining SDTM not only made more confident, at same time helped me realize my strengths. Take web designing for example. It was only a small time pass kind of hobby for me. If it wasn’t for Rajiv Khattar, Aqueel Khan and Michelle Snelleksz, this time pass could not have been converted into a business idea. These are not the only people who helped me, SDTM helped me a lot. Each and every member who came to know about what I was doing helped me in some manner. I am sorry that I can only name a few. The 6-8 minutes allotted to me is not enough to thank everyone. 6-8 weeks should be good to begin with.

As I prepare to leave, I just want to share with you that it’s true that the will of one man can forge an empire. It’s up to you what kind of empire you wish to forge.

Believe in yourself and like Nike says, just do it!!

Mr Toastmaster.