So, I Am Going To Keep On Speaking Even Though I See Red

As a Rolling Stones fan, I love their song” Time Is On My Side.” In Toastmasters, time is not on our side as some Toastmasters are doing speeches and not embracing time as very valuable.

In our club, Executive 408, we have a discussion which lasts about twenty minutes, where a topic or subject is presented. Anyone can give their opinion about what is discussed without any backlash from anyone in the audience.

During a December meeting, I led a discussion about a video newsletter I created. I wanted to get feedback on, if the club wanted a video newsletter on DVD to be given every month or not.

I played a video demonstration with a DVD with some short segments like member speeches from the month, a look back at the year, a memorial piece about two of our members who have passed away.

I got feedback on what members wanted and didn't want or need. There was someone who was working the DVD control as I spoke. During the presentation, I saw the yellow light from the timer and kept going.

As many of you know in Toastmasters, we have timing lights such as a green one, a yellow one and a red one. The timing lights are there to let the speaker know where they are time-wise in their speech or presentation. The green-light let you know that you have a couple minutes left, yellow one lets you know that you are close to the need to start wrapping it up and the red one lets you know to wrap it up.

As for the discussion, I had actually timed it out so I can get through the segments and still take member questions.

Members had questions. The red light had come on which meant for me to wrap up. The members kept asking questions and I kept answering. I should've wrapped up and sat down.

The late David Casey, an veteran Executive 408 Toastmaster once said,” Going over the time takes away from other speakers.” He was right.

I did take away time from other speakers. So, I'm guilty of what some speakers go through which is “the audience is really digging what I'm saying and I'm sure they want more. So I'm going to keep on speaking even though I see red.”

Recently, a member was doing their Icebreaker speech. The time for his speech was scheduled for 5 to 7 minutes. When he was finished with his Icebreaker speech was over 10 minutes long. The member suffered from the audience is really digging what I'm saying and I'm sure they want more. So I am going to keep on speaking even though I see red.  I saw the excitement in his eyes. 

For someone starting with their Icebreaker, it is understandable, but a speech veteran like myself it is unacceptable to go beyond red.

As members get more speaking experience at a Toastmasters meeting, they get more comfortable with the timing lights and the mood of the audience.

Many Toastmasters competing in contests know the importance of time because if they go over their allotted time,  they will be disqualified.

Here are a few guidelines that may help to stay within the time.

–Plan your context and edit as necessary.

Having more material that is needed is always good. Yet, it is very hard to edit out good stuff from the speech. But, you have to do so, to make the allotted speaking time.

 -Rehearse effectively

I feel the best way to make your time is to practice. I rehearse standing up and speaking out loud as if I'm doing the actual speech. I use an adjustable music sheet stand. This way, I create the speaking environment I will be in and get that feeling of standing and delivering the speech every time I practiced. I know exactly where my notes will be on the lectern and start to get very comfortable with delivering my speech.

Also, I use the timer on my iPhone to know exactly how long the speech will be.

Once the speech is within the time limit and I have made the necessary cuts/edits from the speech. Now, I can be relaxed and really get really comfortable with the speech.

The payoff is seeing the audience really enjoying what I am saying and how relaxed I am which makes the audience more comfortable and more accepting of my speech.

For the prepared Toastmaster, time can really be on their side.

Art Byrd has been a member of Executive 408 Toastmasters Youngstown, since 2009.

He has achieved his Competent Communicator, Advanced Bronze, Silver and Gold. Competent Leader and Advanced Leader Bronze. He is working on his Advanced Leader Silver.

Currently, Art is the Vice President of Public Relations for Toastmasters 408 and the Area Governor for Area 13 in District 10 in Ohio.

Source: Six Minutes: Speaking and Presentation Skills http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/about/

 Follow me on Twitter @artbyrdvew

Follow Executive Club 408 on Twitter @ Executive 408

Be sure to listen to On The Table Podcast with Kim Kracji, She interviewed me on my role as Area Governor and visiting Prison Clubs.  http://onthetablepodcasts.com/12
Also, available on ITunes.

Kim's podcast is awesome.