Toastmasters: Prepared Speech — Valentine

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Hook

After a really long time, I had a date on valentines day. Can you guys believe that? I couldn’t. I got body aches the next day, that’s how shocking and thrilling it was.

Background

We spent a great amount of time together at home. Family and friends got us good vegan food, we slept really well, went out on walks, watched movies, and planned our future.

Like some relationships it was going really well, the next few days went to the absolute peaks, and it went down. Though it didn’t last forever — it has taught me many valuable lessons which I would like to share.

I could have been prepared

• Dates like this take a lot of energy, commitment, money, time, and dedication. At times you may even get the feeling of how did I even get here? Just like everything else in life, getting the mind prepped will help a lot.

How much self-care is important

• Times like these are when you are being asked for your presence and always being there for everyone else. You can’t constantly be the provider. Sometimes there won't be anything to give because you got nothing left. We have to remind ourselves to pour water into our own cups.

Spend some time in solitude

• More often than not — we don’t know what we are getting into. We get in sort of this high and cloudy head. It's important to spend some time thinking with clarity. What am I doing here, who am I surrounding myself with?

Never forget about your friends and family

• Yes, when you are in a relationship you are in this new romantic world but don't forget to come out of that to say hi and hello to your parents and friends who helped get you here. Don’t let anything take away from what built you.

Don’t lose track of your career

• Your dream should be as important as anything else. Don’t lose yourself by investing the majority of your time that doesn't align with your vision. We need to have our own passion and purpose.

Times like these can be challenging, check in with a doctor from time to time.

I could have prevented this whole thing with a flu shot because I had a date with the flu :) Back to you madam toastmaster.

Feedback Received

• Comfortable, gaging.
• Very good gestures, easy style
• Held the audience till the last minute
• Should present in Contests.
• Visual aids would have helped