Toastmasters Contest Season: A Battle of Growth and Strategy

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It’s that time of year again—contest season at Toastmasters. Members are gearing up with their topics, observations, humorous stories, and readying themselves for impromptu speeches. But beyond the adrenaline and excitement, there’s a crucial question to ask before stepping onto that contest stage: Why are you competing? Here are my notes and advice for those venturing into the battle of words and wits.

1. Know Your ‘Why’ Before You Step Up

Understanding why you want to compete is fundamental. Is it for a shiny trophy? You can buy one off the shelf without the hassle. Is it for the applause and cheers, the title of champion, or to make a point? There could be a dozen reasons: proving something to yourself, making your parents proud, or pushing your boundaries to reach new heights. Whatever your reason, be clear on why you want to be there, because once you step into the ring, you’re signing up for a roller coaster of emotions—joy, frustration, and sometimes even disappointment. As Simon Sinek said, “Start with why.” It’ll be your anchor when the waves of uncertainty hit.

2. Find a Contest Mentor

Your regular mentor may not be enough. Contest mentors are a different breed altogether. They’ve been there, done that, and walked away either victorious or with deep lessons. A contest mentor is someone who’s stood on the contest stage, faced the pressure of judging panels, coached winners, and knows what it takes to transform a speech from good to great. But here’s the catch—they’re tough to find and even tougher to work with. Their standards are high, and they will push you hard. But if you can bear it, you’ll become a force to reckon with. It’s like training with a master swordsman—exhausting and demanding, but ultimately rewarding.

3. Merge Reality with the Contest Stage

Toastmasters, at its heart, is a training ground for your voice. Even in contests, though you’re being judged, remember that the results do not impact your real life unless you’re aiming for the World Championship. So link your contest speeches to your professional and personal life. The techniques, feedback, and skills you build on that stage should translate to your work, career, and interactions. Use it as a springboard, not just a podium. Make it count beyond the contest room.

4. Contest or You’ll Never Grow

I’ve seen Distinguished Toastmasters and even accredited speakers who have never stepped into a contest. In my books, if you don’t contest, you’re missing out on what truly refines you as a speaker. Contests grill you, stretch you, shape you, and toughen you. If you want to test your mettle, get up there and face the gauntlet year after year. Each experience will make you stronger and more confident. Remember, the more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.

5. Put in the Effort—Don’t Wing It

Understand that every single audience member who listens to you is there to learn, grow, and be moved. For their sake, and for the sake of the judges, respect the contest. Designing a powerful speech means thinking beyond quick humor and last-minute improvisation. Build a strong story, include relatable ideas, have a clear strategy, and end with a memorable call to action. Imagine this: if you won the contest and were asked to conduct a workshop on winning speeches, would you have something truly valuable to share? If not, it’s time to revisit your script.

6. Don’t Overuse Puns and Double Meanings

It’s tempting to use double meanings and borderline humor, especially in the Humorous and Tall Tale contests. But be cautious. You might win the trophy, but you risk losing the respect of the audience. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” It’s more meaningful when audience members approach you after the contest and say, “Will you mentor me?” rather than avoiding eye contact because they found your jokes distasteful.

7. Beware of the AI Temptation

AI is the new buzzword in creating speeches. My advice—use it as a tool, but don’t let it dominate your work. It’s like injecting steroids into your speechwriting process. Sure, you’ll get results faster, but the authenticity will fade. AI can polish your grammar, suggest creative angles, and fine-tune your language, but it cannot capture the raw essence of a human story. You’re not just writing to impress—you’re writing to connect.

8. Build Your Personal Brand

Popularity helps. Be active at public events, promote your presence on social media, and build your persona. It creates familiarity and a subtle bias in your favor. But tread carefully—when you step on stage, make sure you deliver like a roaring lion and not a squeaking mouse. It’s better to let your performance do the talking than to oversell and underdeliver.

9. Network and Learn from Every Contest

Toastmasters isn’t just about speaking. It’s about connections. Network, learn, and be open to feedback. Smile, mingle, wish everyone luck—these small acts can open doors beyond what any speech could do. Don’t be the arrogant contestant who’s so wrapped up in their own performance that they miss out on the opportunity to learn from others.

10. Diversify Your Skills

A great contest speech is more than just words. It’s storytelling, drama, humor, body language, and sometimes even singing or dancing! You need to be versatile in your skills. If you’re not physically fit or feel your posture is weak, hit the gym. If your voice lacks range, work on it. Your body, mind, and voice are your instruments—polish them.

11. If You’re Not Competing, then Judge

If you’re sitting out this season, don’t just watch—volunteer to be a judge. It’s a masterclass in understanding how judges think and score. You’ll learn what separates a winning speech from a good one. And when it’s your turn to contest, you’ll know exactly how to hit the marks and where to avoid pitfalls.

12. Losing Isn’t the End—It’s a New Beginning

If you don’t walk away with the trophy, it’s not the end of the world. Study what went wrong, figure out why, and prepare for next year. And if you’re upset about the judging, don’t blame the judges—blame the chief judge. After all, it’s their responsibility to bring in the best of the best. But don’t let disappointment hold you back. As Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”

Final Thoughts: Compete to Transform, Not Just to Win

Competing in Toastmasters contests isn’t just about winning a title or getting applause—it’s about transformation. It’s about pushing yourself, learning, growing, and emerging stronger each time. So, the next time you step onto that stage, remember your ‘why,’ embrace the challenge, and give it everything you’ve got.

Because, in the end, it’s not just a contest—it’s a journey of growth

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