NEWSLETTER OF THE MANAMA TOASTMASTERS CLUB. CLUB 2916, DISTRICT 20
Challenge Yourself!
From The President’s Desk Two weeks ago I was at a charity event assigned the role of taking pictures of the guests.
ATMB Kishore Babu President July – December 2012
The highlight of the programme was a speech by a gentleman named Mr. Abdulla Abandi, from Saudi Arabia. Of course the show had a stand up comedian doubling up as the Master of Ceremonies. The stand up comedian was excellent in his delivery and kept the audience roaring with laughter but when Mr. Abdulla Abandi took stage, it was a different scene all together! The audience were laughing, of course, but they were also clinging on to each other and some were holding on to their seats lest they fall off! It was laughter, laughter and laughter but with lots of beautiful messages embedded into it.
http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
Towards the end of the evening two women walked up to me and asked me a question that took me by surprise. “Is Mr. Abandi a Toastmaster by any chance?” My response „Why do you ask‟? “Well, the way his speech was organized, the meticulous and crisp way he delivered, and the construction of the whole speech, I felt he is definitely a toastmaster. He was unique, he was easy to follow and the whole speech was very well scripted and structured.”
For those who do not know Abdulla Abandi, he is a toastmaster from Saudi Arabia and has been in the contest arena since 2000. In 2001 he became the winner in the Humorous Speech contest at the GTAC held in Bahrain, and ever since, he has been on a winning spree at the district level, recently participating at the International level. Fellow toastmasters, even in a public function, out of the toastmasters periphery, a toastmasters stands unique.
Challenge Yourself!
A toastmaster stands tall! Aren‟t we happy we are part of this great movement? Yes! However, it needs a couple of ingredients to make this „TM‟ dish palatable. The willingness to learn.. the PERSEVERANCE to surge ahead in spite of shortcomings and constraints. Of course we all have other commitments and priorities in life but when we REALLY want to do some thing, we always could find and allocate time for it. All we have to do is treat the toastmasters meeting, the toastmasters membership as a part of our growth process. Rest assured, we will then find time and make the time week after week to attend our toastmasters meetings. Incidentally, I asked the woman who had asked the question, “how do you know of toastmasters?” With pride and élan she replied. I have been a toastmaster and have achieved my CTM! (Competent Toastmaster)
Fellow toastmasters, it is your space. And you are the decision maker! Make a firm decision…….a firm obligation, a firm commitment to be a toastmaster with a difference….Challenge Yourself! http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
July – December 2012
0
Contents Weekly Definition Saturday Insights
Monthly Manama Toastmasters Award Criteria Toastmaster Of The Month – September & October My Life’s Crossroads My Dreams Laughter Is The Best Medicine The Essence Of Time
Challenge Yourself!
7 Habits Of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives Some Day Is Not A Day Of The Week!
Guide To Losing Weight The Right Way
Manama Toastmasters
Weekly Definition
Perseverance (noun) Definition : 1. Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. 2. Continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory. Example : You need perseverance to push through those moments of frustration.
Monumental (adjective) 01 September 2012 Definition : 1. Great in importance, extent or size. 2. (of a work of art) Great in ambition and scope. Example : In Toastmasters, Mentors play a monumental role in guiding new members.
Years of training to forge the body for martial pursuit requires perseverance.
Jovial (adjective) 08 September 2012 Definition : Full of happiness and joy. Example : The audience was in a jovial mood. He is a very jovial man. .
Challenge Yourself!
Weekly Definition
Immaculate (Adjective) 22 September 2012 Definition : 1. (esp. of a person or their clothes) Perfectly clean, neat, or tidy. 2. Free from flaws or mistakes; perfect.
Ebullient (adjective) 29 September 2012 Definition : 1. Showing excitement. 2. Overflowing with enthusiasm. 3. High-spirited.
Example : When the Toastmasters entered the room, they found it immaculate and orderly.
Example : Amyâ€&#x;s ebullient nature could not be repressed; she was always bubbling over with excitement.
We can offer used models so immaculate they can be mistaken for new.
The award winner was in an ebullient mood at the dinner in her honour.
Imaginative (adjective) 06 October 2012
Commemorate (Adjective) 20 October 2012
Definition : Full of happiness and joy.
Definition : 1. To call to remembrance.
Example : The audience was in a jovial mood.
Example : This evening we commemorate some great speeches.
Date
01 September
08 September
15 September
22 September
Meeting No.
2379
2380
2381
2382
Theme
Buildings & Monuments
Laughing
Toastmasters
Master of Ceremonies
DTM I Joel
TM Thuraya Juma
Best Speaker
TM May Abdul Aziz
TM Sadaf Gill
Best Evaluator
CC Chris Noronha
CC Waleed Noaman
Best Commentator
ACS Zakaria Sulaiman
ACS Zakaria Sulaiman
I N S T A L L A T I O N
Date
29 September
06 October
13 October
20 October
Meeting No.
2383
2384
2385
2386
Theme
International Coffee Day
Proverbs
Great Speeches
Master of Ceremonies
ACB Afaf Zainalabedin
TM Krishnadas
T A B L E
Best Speaker
TM Thuraya Juma
TM Hammad Younas
Best Evaluator
ACS Zakaria Sulaiman
CC Bharat Patil
Best Commentator
CC/CL Abdul Rahman Al Awadi
Guest Ahmed
T O P I C S CONTEST
CC Melissa Almeida TM Hannah Karanja ACB Afaf Zainalabedin TM Krishnadas
TM Shauna Nearing Loej TM Mobin Mathew ACS Kawther Taitoon DTM I Joel
"Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder". - Rumi. Submitted by ACB/ALB Claire Cosgrove
Bahrain World Trade Centre
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2379 – 01 September 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – DTM I Joel
Acting President CC Melissa Almeida and Master Of Ceremonies DTM I Joel with Best Speaker TM May Abdul Aziz.
Acting President CC Melissa and Master Of Ceremonies DTM I Joel with Best Evaluator CC Chris Noronha
Acting President CC Melissa and Master Of Ceremonies DTM I Joel with Best Commentator ACS Zakaria Sulaiman.
http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2380 – 08 September 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – TM Thuraya Juma
Acting President CC Melissa Almeida and Master Of Ceremonies TM Thuraya Juma with Best Speaker TM Sadaf Gill.
Acting President CC Melissa and Master Of Ceremonies TM Thuraya with Best Evaluator CC Waleed Noaman.
Acting President CC Melissa and Master Of Ceremonies TM Thuraya with Best Commentator ACS Zakaria Sulaiman.
http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2382 – 22 September 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – TM Melissa Almeida
President ATMB Kishore Babu and Master Of Ceremonies CC Melissa Almeida with Best Speaker TM Hannah Karanja
President ATMB Kishore with Best Evaluator ACB Afaf Zainalabdin.
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies CC Melissa with Best Commentator TM Krishnadas.
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2383 – 29 September 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – TM Afaf Zainalabedin
President ATMB Kishore Babu and Master Of Ceremonies ACB Afaf Zainalabedin with Best Speaker TM Thuraya Juma
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies ACB Afaf with Best Evaluator ACS Zakaria Sulaiman
Master Of Ceremonies ACB Afaf Zainalabedin wins the Raffle Of The Month
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies ACB Afaf with Best Commentator CC/CL Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2384 – 06 October 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – TM Krishnadas
President ATMB Kishore Babu and Master Of Ceremonies TM Krishnadas with Best Speaker TM Hammad Younas
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies TM Krishnadas with Best Evaluator CC Bharat Patil. President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies TM Krishnadas with Best Commentator Guest Ahmed.
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2385 – 13 October 2012 (Table Topics Contest) Master Of Ceremonies – TM Edmore Mleya
Master Of Ceremonies TM Edmore with Best Speaker TM Mounther Numan
Master Of Ceremonies TM Edmore with Best Evaluator DTM I Joel.
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters
TABLE TOPICS CONTEST No. Of Contestants – 12 Question : What in your opinion is the most romantic date?
Master Of Ceremonies TM Edmore Mleya with Table Topics Contest Winner ACB Afaf Zainalabedin
Master Of Ceremonies TM Edmore with 2nd Place Table Topics Contest Winner CC Chris Noronha
Master Of Ceremonies TM Edmore with 3rd Place Table Topics Contest Winner ACB/ALB Claire Cosgrove
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Meeting No. 2386 – 20 October 2012 Master Of Ceremonies – TM Shauna Nearing Loej
President ATMB Kishore Babu and Master Of Ceremonies TM Shauna Nearing Loej with Best Speaker TM Mobin Mathew
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies TM Shauna with Best Evaluator ACS Kawther Taitoon
President ATMB Kishore and Master Of Ceremonies TM Shauna with Best Commentator DTM I Joel
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Participants Of The Table Topics Contest
CC Waleed Noaman
ACB Afaf Zainalabedin ACS Zakaria Sulaiman TM Krishnadas
ACB/ALB Claire Cosgrove
CC/CL Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi
ACB/CL Guraz Wankadia
TM Azad CK
TM Syam Kumar
CC Chris Noronha
Saturday Insights at Manama Toastmasters Masters of Ceremony September & October
DTM I Joel
CC Melissa Almeida
TM Edmore Mleya
ACB Afaf Zainalabedin
TM Thuraya Juma
TM Krishnadas
TM Shauna Nearing Loej
Bahrain National Museum
Accomplishments at Manama Toastmasters Manama Toastmasters Updates
Acting President CC Melissa Almeida presenting TM Zakaria Sulaiman with the Advanced Communicator Silver Certificate.
Manama Toastmasters Updates
& Sheela Pai Melissa Almeida I Joel Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi
Zakaria Sulaiman & Afaf Zainalabedin Ratindernath Hannah Karanja Monther Numan May Abdulaziz Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi
Manama Toastmasters Updates Congratulations to our Sergeant At Arms TM Krishnadas who has disclosed that he has just passed his driving test and can now drive on the already crammed streets of Bahrain..Woe to those who meet him on those dark deserted roads‌I fear for your sanity. Our very own bul-bul of Bahrain ACS Kawther Taitoon had a harrowing experience as her car was one of many involved in a pile-up. She is physically unharmed but shaken up by the incident. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return to Manama Toastmasters with her own brand of wit and expertise.
Al Fateh Mosque At Night
To ensure a fair selection, you all get the same test. You must all climb that tree.
Monthly Manama Toastmasters Award
Activity
Points Earned
Master of Ceremonies
15
Educational Speech
15
Project Speech
10
Any Other Role In Weekly Meeting
05
Replacing Dropouts
10
Pay Dues In Advance
10
Pay Dues On Time
05
Attendance
05
Contributing To Horizon
10
Participating In A Contest
05
Judging A Contest
05
Mentoring
05
Winning A Contest
05
Challenge Yourself!
Monthly Manama Toastmasters Award
ACB / ALB Claire Cosgrove
http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
ACB / ALB Claire Cosgrove is a fine example of perseverance as she juggles Toastmasters with her daily work schedule at AMA. Being an extremely active member of Manama Toastmasters is not enough for her as she strives to better herself by joining other Toastmaster Clubs (too many to mention and keep track of). Even at weekends, she can be seen attending Toastmaster gatherings and is always willing to advise or lend a helping hand. We look at her with awe as she displays her wit and uncanny ability to think on her feet, even in the most trying of times. We hope that some day we too can excel in our Toastmaster journey as she has‌.
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man of inner courage dares to live. – Lae Tzu
Bahrain International Circuit By Night
Speech
TM May Abdulaziz shares her views as she delivered her Icebreaker. She reveals her journey in life and how she has reached where she is now. She hopes that Toastmasters will unleash the communication skills that lie dormant within her.
It was not the first time I had prepared or given a speech. It is not difficult when you know precisely what you have to say, but I discovered the opposite when I was preparing for my Icebreaker. The difficult part is one question which I kept repeating to myself. Why is it is so important to inform others about our personal lives?
I discovered that we do this several times in our lives, indirectly through our C.V.! Isn't it true? In our resumĂŠs, we mention our personal data, educational achievements, working experience and even our hobbies and talents, leaving no secrets unearthed. Today, I will tell you how I managed my life's crossroads to go in the right direction.
Speech
When I was studying in fourth grade in Lebanon where I come from, we were required to pass government exams to enter the secondary level. I applied for the exams but unfortunately I was unlucky. I cried a lot, but I persisted and applied for the second time but failed again though I studied well. My friend who was facing the same situation said, "I will keep on repeating the exams until I succeed in the government exams". I was encouraged by her words.
One day when I was going to a shop to get groceries for my mother, I met my neighbour. She asked about my studies and I explained what was happening. She asked me why I did not apply to a vocational institute, where with the same three years study I would be able to enter university. I followed her suggestion and did exactly what she said. This was the first crossroad, where there was a turning in my life. I continued the vocational education and higher technical studies in Business and Computer Analysis. However, I felt this was not enough though my studies were equivalent to university studies. I made it to university and studied Islamic studies, Commercial Accounting and Management.
Speech
Following this I attended training in a bank which is where I met my husband who happens to be from Bahrain. This was my second crossroad where again there was a turning in my life. I got married and I came to this beautiful island of Bahrain, the pearl of the Gulf. Though my studies are in Islamic and commercial accounting, I head a cultural centre. My studies help me in performing my duties. I am currently a Specialist in International Relations, with General Organization for Youth and Sports. I came to know of Toastmasters three years ago but I did not clearly understand their activities. However, with the encouragement of a senior member, TM Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi I have now become the member of this club. I treat this is my latest cross road and turning point. I hope to improve my communication and public speaking skills with the help of all fellow Toastmasters.
The love of TM May’s life – her daughter Talya
Night Scene at Bab Al Bahrain (Gateway of Bahrain)
Speech
A Decade Ago‌ In September 2002, an eager and enthusiastic individual joined Manama Toastmasters as he contemplated the future with great expectations. He is none other than our innovative and imaginative CC Kishan Kumar who, after a break, has decided to pursue and live out his dreams. This is the Icebreaker he delivered a decade ago‌.
Some years back, while going through some job advertisements in a newspaper, I found a large US based company looking for IT professionals. At the end of the full length page advertisement were listed the names of cities where their branches were located. There were three cities: New York, Boston, Hyderabad. A wave of excitement passed through my body to see my city name listed along with the world-famous IT hubs. I felt proud belonging to this Silicon Valley of India, a city with a history of 400 years located in southern central part of India. I come from a lovely family of five members. My parents, a younger brother who recently joined Deloitte & Touche, a younger sister who is married and mother of a lovely little girl who adorns the wallpaper of my computer at work. Lots of people would ask me if she was my daughter. My reply to them till date is : "Yes she would have been, if only my parents got me married, in place of my sister, 3 years back".
Speech
We had a very strict childhood with all the military discipline implemented by my mother, supplemented by my father. I won't complain about my mother, for she was only trying to take revenge on her authoritarian uncle under whose stern disciplinary custody she was brought up. At just a slight elevation of her eyebrows, TV and music used to get switched off, friends used to leave our house and books used to take the place where few minutes back were the carom-board coins. We were never allowed to play outdoors except under her strict surveillance, where the choice of games was always hers and not ours. This is the reason why I always feel jealous of all the Guraz Wankadias and Joel Indrupatis when they talk about the games they enjoyed in their childhood. But with this strict childhood I always enjoyed being proud of myself, that academically I was a first grade student throughout my schooling. I could have still owned that pride if only my marks in the Engineering entrance examination were in proportion with the rank I got. The examiners rated me to be 19,000 ranks away from the first ranker. That day I would have been scolded by my parents until I felt worthless, if only they were not informed about my close cousin who acquired a rank which had an extra zero at the end.
Speech
He was ranked 190,000. As a token of my thankfulness towards my cousin, I took him for a movie immediately the next day, at the expense of being caught by my parents watching a movie just after 24 hours of regretful news about my studies. Though I had a defeat in acquiring an Engineering seat in Computer Science, I still didn't lose my interest in becoming a computer professional. So I picked up the next alternative and acquired a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Osmania University, the oldest and nation-wide renowned univeristy. Later I got specialized in Computer networks. After working for 3 years in Hyderabad, I landed in this wonderful island of Bahrain in 1998, joining Aptech Bahrain. Luck favoured me, when Aptech decided to post me in BAPCO as an IT trainer. After utilizing my IT training skill for three months, BAPCO decided to make me part of their enterprise database system support team. After a period of 20 months, BAPCO offered an employment with them. With this, I have partially fulfilled my dream of working for a large organization like BAPCO, a company considered as one of the largest refineries in the world. Apart from an exciting professional boon, in this island of pearls I also found the pearl of my life, who is going to be part of my life soon. Ladies & Gentlemen I would like to leave this suspense on, not revealing her identity till the big day of my life.
Speech
My future academic plan is to acquire MS in computer science. And on the professional end I have a long-time desire to be part of the Microsoft. I may not be able to eye for the position of Steve Ballmer (current CE of Microsoft) but at least I can be a "BUM" in that top-most IT company. I mean a Business Unit Manager; In short BUMs is what Bill Gates refers to his Business Unit Managers. I like reading, and my favourite author is Sidney Sheldon. I am not much into sports, but I like playing and watching cricket. Exploring the latest computer technology is another part of my life and I enjoy spending my time with these superb creations of mankind. With this hobby of mine, I am looking forward to fulfilling my life-time dream of using the technology for helping the most needed and down-trodden families of the world. I hope to achieve this somehow and someday, and I believe in the saying "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams".
Challenge Yourself!
Article
TM Thuraya Juma shares some information and her experience as the Master Of Ceremonies with the theme of the day “Laughing�
Laughing was the theme of Meeting # 2380 which was held on 8th September 2012. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to laugh means : to smile while making sounds with your voice that shows you
think something is funny or you are happy. I chose this theme because as we are back to business after a long holiday, I thought of having a lighter theme. For the record, the only role which I have not yet done after joining Toastmasters is being a Jokemaster! Hence, it was interesting and challenging for me to choose "Laughing" as a theme. Do you know that there is a World Laughter Day. It was created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. The Laughter Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of May. The celebration is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Here in Bahrain, the first Laughter Club was started by KCA and meets regularly on the 3rd Monday of every month.
Article In what follows I will share with you of what some of our fellow Toastmasters shared with us when I asked them what makes them laugh. TM Mariam Jacob : "I would say My own Blunders ! And seeing little ones innocent giggle and laughter !!" TM Shauna Nearing : "I am pretty easy going and try and look on the bright side of life so I am keen to laugh as much as possible! My kids discovered recently that they could tell jokes and keep on telling me the same jokes over and over again…but I laugh each time! " TM Krishnadas : "Good humor always makes me laugh" TM Waleed Noaman : "What truly makes me laugh is to see people arguing and fighting with each other (non-violently of course), because I believe the perfect recipe for a comedic show is to involve people's shortcomings, especially when it comes to guilelessness and misunderstanding, which is why many of us think of Tom & Jerry, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and all other such media to be very funny" TM Monther Noman : “What makes me laugh is when things do not appear to be right but prove that they are more correct than right ....and it actually works out alright!!!!???" TM Claire Cosgrove : “What makes me laugh: funny things, funny people, cute kids, silly things I picture in my mind" TM Sadaf Gill : “ What makes me laugh is Mr Bean"
Mary Anne Radmacher
Hyena at Al Alreen Wildlife Park
Challenge Yourself!
Article
A Time To…
Take time to work, it is the price of success… Take time to think, it is the source of power… Take time to play, it is the source of youth… Take time to read, it is the source of wisdom… Take time to love, It is the privilege from God… Take time to serve, it is the purpose of life… Take time to laugh, it is the music of soul… Submitted by ACB/ALB Claire Cosgrove
To realize the value of one year: Ask the student who has failed his final exam. To realize the value of one month: Ask the mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week: Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one day: Ask the daily wage earner who has 10 kids to feed. To realize the value of an hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of a minute: Ask the person who has missed the train, the bus, or the plane. To realize the value of a second: Ask the person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of a millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. Submitted by ACB/ALB Claire Cosgrove
Bahrain International Circuit
Arad Fort
Speech CC Bharat Patil divulges the results of his research while undertaking Project 2 of Speaking To Inform.
There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from." - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Sydney Finkelstein, a Professor of Management published his research about “Why smart Executives fail.� He researched 50 former high-flying companies like Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, Rubbermaid & Schwinn which became complete failures. As per his studies, all the CEOs had 7 habits in common which he calls Seven Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives.
Speech He says that at one time these leaders appeared on the covers of Fortune and Forbes. But these can be warning signs for unbeatable companies like Apple, Google And Amazon. 1. They saw themselves and their companies as dominating their Environment.
• Companies should not try to dominate the business environment. • They cannot change the market trend. For example, Samsung’s CEO Kun-Hun Lee who was successful in electronics thought that he could also succeed in the automobile industry. He invested $ 5 billion in oversaturated market. Warning Sign: Lack of respect Johnson and Johnson lost its lead in Medical stent Business due to the company’s arrogance and lack of respect for customer needs.
Speech 2.
There was no clear boundary between the CEO’s personal interest & corporation interest. We want business leaders committed to their companies but • When we go deeper we find that instead of committing themselves to the company they were more committed to their personal interest. • They used the company’s money for their personal interest as they thought the company was only making money because of their efforts. Warning Sign: A question of character The CEO of Tyco used the corporate funds for his own personal interest. 3.
They thought that they had all the answers. • The CEOs took big decisions in minutes.
Speech • They thought that they had all the answers and were not open to learning. For example, CEO Wolfgang of Rubbermaid was famous in taking decisions in a flash. There was a joke about him “Wolf knows everything about everything.” Warning sign: A leader without a follower CEOs who think they know all the answers and do not need other people. 4. They ruthlessly eliminated anyone who was not completely behind them. • Here the CEOs thought that the vision they had was always right. If anybody undermined the vision they gave them a choice, whether to follow the plan or leave. Warning Sign: Executive departures. The company will lose talented people,
Speech 5.
They were consummate spokespersons, obsessed with the company’s image. • They made the company’s image the top priority. • They risked using financial reporting practice to promote that image. Warning Sign:- Blatant attention seeking. They will spend more time on public appearances. 6.
They underestimate obstacles • Espouse (adopt) a vision. • They overlook or underestimate the difficulties of actually getting there. • Even if the company is facing a loss, they spent money in expanding. Warning Sign : Excessive hype (publicity)
Speech 7.
They stubbornly relied on what worked for them in the past. • They thought what worked in the past would work now. Warning Sign : Constantly referring to what worked in the past. These seven lessons are powerful reminders of how organizational leaders are not instruments of growth and success but sometimes also architects of failure. The mistakes made by CEOs are the lessons to be learned by each and every one of us and can be applied to our daily lives. The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. – AndrÊ Gide
Kayaking at Hamala Beach
Speech
CC Chris Noronha shares her 10th Project Speech in the Competent Communications Manual.
The other day, I spilled something on the carpet, so I went to get the stain remover. The directions said I needed to get to that spot as quickly as possible, and not to let it dry or soak in, but that I should put the solution on it immediately. In other words, the quicker I dealt with it, the easier it would be to remove. It's the same way in our lives. When there is an area in our lives we have to change, we have to take action. Not tomorrow, not next week but immediately. Procrastination means putting off till later what we ought to do now. Procrastination is so easy to justify. We may say, “One day I'm going to get back in shape." "One day I'm going to undertake my next project speech” or, "Sometime soon, I'm going to forgive that person that hurt me." Unfortunately, for many people, “some” day never comes. Quit putting off what you know in your heart is the right thing to do. You may be putting off spending time with your family. You think to yourself, I’m so busy; I work all the time.
Speech
Your attitude is, One day I'm going to slow down and enjoy these children that God has given me. Or, One day, I'm going to take that trip to visit my parents who live so far away and are getting older. One day, I'm going to call that loved one that I've been thinking about. No, not some day, now…Take time now for the people you love. You don't really know how long they're going to be here. Unfortunately many of us only learn our lesson when it is too late. I lost my father when I was just a teenager and I never really got to know him as much as I would have liked to. So whenever I get the opportunity to spend some time with my mother, I do. Sometime in the future, I would not like to look back and think to myself, “If only I had spent more time with her.” Life is too short for regrets. Many of us go to bed with a gnawing guilty conscience because we are putting off what we know we should be doing. That is what procrastination does. Procrastination eats away at us and makes us feel badly about ourselves; it condemns us. You walk in the house, looking how dusty everything is or you've got a sink full of dirty dishes. You think, What is wrong with me? Why do I keep putting things off? I’m never going to get this place cleaned up. I’m so lazy. I might as well go in and sit down and watch some more TV. Rather than being a procrastinator, be a "now" person.
Challenge Yourself!
Speech Now I freely admit. I am a procrastinator and believe that if at first I don't succeed, there is always next year. I am of the firm belief that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already. Now I buy all these books about procrastination…but unfortunately I never get around to reading them. I joined Manama Toastmasters 3 years ago, yes, can you believe it 3 years ago to this day and have not yet completed my CC Manual. I kept on putting it off, saying eventually I will. I think this credo also applies to most of the things in my life. Now you are a procrastinator if any of these apply to you. a. Compile a To-Do list and fill your day with low priority tasks. b. Reading e-mails several times without starting work on them. c. Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to make a cup of coffee. d. Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it's important. http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com
Speech e.
Regularly saying "Yes" to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do, and filling your time with these instead of getting on with the important tasks already on your list. f. Waiting for the “right mood” or the “right time” to tackle the important task at hand. There are three ways to overcome procrastination. 1. Be honest with yourself and recognize that you procrastinate. 2. Work out why you are procrastinating. One reason for procrastination is that people find a job unpleasant and try to avoid it. Another cause is that they are disorganized. It is possible they may be overwhelmed by the task or have underdeveloped decision making skills. Surprisingly perfectionists are procrastinators as they think that they do not have the skills or resources to do the job, so they don’t do it at all. 3.
Adopt anti-procrastination strategies. Identify the unpleasant consequences of not doing the task. Make up your own rewards. Set time-bound goals and focus on one task at a time.
Speech If you're not happy today, and you're working all the time, but you can't seem to get ahead, you need to consider your ways. When we put off what we know we should be doing, it's like we're trying to fill up a bag that has holes in it. I want to take the first step. I have made a pledge to move through with my speeches. What am I going to accomplish in my life if I do not do this? I do not relish the thought of standing up here in front of you all but this is the main reason I joined Toastmasters, to become a better and more confident speaker. I have decided to do something about this habit of mine. What about you? Do you need to feel more satisfied in life? Feel like life has a purpose? Do you want to feel lighter and not as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Don't make excuses. Don't look for a more convenient time. Just do it and do it now‌
Tree of Life
It DOES NOT MATTER how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. - Confucius
Bahrain Fort
Health Watch
WATCH LESS TV The average adult spends a whopping five hours a day in front of the television. When researchers used an electronic lock-out system to force television hounds to watch 50 percent less, the participants burned an average of 119 more calories per day. SNACK RIGHT Unprocessed whole foods "require more energy to break down and digest than refined foods, so you burn more calories when you eat them." Simple swaps— brown rice instead of white, an apple instead of bottled juice—can make a significant difference over time in overall body fat.
Challenge Yourself!
Health Watch
EAT OFF SMALL PLATES An experiment revealed that people with oversized plates served themselves about 31 percent more than those with small plates.
SAVE THE BREAD FOR LAST In the fight against fat, restricting carbohydrates may not be as important as timing intake of them. In a 2011 study, 100 obese people went on a diet of roughly 20 percent protein, 30 percent fat, and 50 percent carbohydrates. Group one ate starches throughout the day; group two saved most carbohydrates for dinner. Six months later, group two reported feeling fuller during the day and had lost more weight, body fat, and abdominal inches.
Health Watch
SLEEP IN A COLD ROOM A somewhat chilly bedroom could improve both your sleep and your metabolism. What's more, most of us keep the thermostat steady throughout the house, preventing the body from experiencing as many dips in temperature—and from having to stoke its own calorie-burning furnace. Sleeping in a chillier room is a great way to force your body to heat itself up for hours. You will burn calories keeping yourself warm. SWEETEN SELECTIVELY Regularly using sugar substitutes may make you feel saintly, but it's hell on your waistline, research suggests. Rats fed sugar alternatives, such as zero-calorie saccharin, eventually gained more weight than those fed sugar. Scientists speculate that because fake sugar does not come with additional calories, the confused digestive system fails to burn calories and regulate food intake the way it would with the real stuff. Bottom line: You're best off with small amounts of natural sugar, such as yogurt with fruit. Challenge Yourself!
Bahrain Financial Harbour
Dear Toastmasters,
There's no denying that perseverance is often required to realize the hopes, dreams, desires and visions we hold for ourselves. When we first joined Toastmasters, many of us were eager and committed individuals, keen to begin this journey. Now, several years later many of the senior Toastmasters cannot remember when they delivered their last project speech. In fact, when they do decide to take up their advanced projects, they discover that it is not as easy the second time round. Go on, ask yourself right now, when was the last time I took part in Club Contest? I laud those who are steadfast and dedicated enough to participate in the various contests we have instead of just leaving it to the newcomers. We will always face a tug of war with commitments pulling us in different directions but remember, always finish what you start and keep on working at something which is difficult till the task is completed. Throughout history, so many famous people persevered through their disabilities. Beethoven (composer) - was deaf Thomas Edison (inventor) - had a learning problem Albert Einstein (scientist) - had a learning disability James Earl Jones (actor) - was a stutterer Helen Keller (author) - was deaf and blind Franklin D. Roosevelt (president) - was paralyzed from polio Vincent Van Gogh (artist) - was mentally ill If they could learn and grow from their experiences, including the ones that hurt, what about you? It's all a choice...your choice.
Manama Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters International
• Toastmasters International affiliated. • First Toastmasters Club in the Middle East. • Helps you become confident and comfortable in speaking to an audience. • Improves communication & leadership skills. • Cordial & friendly atmosphere.
• Non-profit Organization. • Over 250,000 members in 106 different countries. For further details on Toastmasters please visit http://www.toastmasters.org
For a memorable experience of a lifetime, please visit us as a guest. When? Every Saturday What time? 7 – 9pm Where? Crowne Plaza Bahrain
Contact : TM Kishore Babu +973 33448802 TM Sheela Pai +973 39873770 TM Chris Noronha +973 39881984
For further details please visit, http://www.manamatoastmasters.blogspot.com