Over Time.
Whatever you call it, it's the same thing. If you're working a job and get paid by the hour, OT can be a very good thing. More hours worked, more money in your pocket. If you're salaried, OT is not so good. More hours worked, same amount of money.
In sports, OT can be both good or bad. It all depends on your perspective and if YOUR team won in over time.
In a speech contest, OT can disqualify you, even if you had a winning speech. That's when OT really sucks.
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If you find yourself challenged in staying within time in a speech, here are a few tips from someone who has gone OT herself. (Yes, that would be me.....thankfully, only at the club level....but still!)
- Edit
- Edit
- Edit
- Did I say 'Edit'?
Next, practice. Out loud. With a voice recorder. Play it back. Did you rush through it? Does it sound like you'd want it to onstage? Was it too long? If so, it's time to edit, take out nonessential words. Are there instances when you can show with gestures, facial expressions, etc. instead of using precious time speaking so many words? This also comes in handy no matter where you're giving a speech. Common courtesy is when you only speak for your allotted time without going over. (Meeting planners will love you for this!)
If I could roll back the clock, that's the advice I'd give to my club member who went OT. And, who knows, maybe he would have gone all the way.
When you enter your next Toastmasters contest, set yourself up for success. Just like a football player who runs 50 years for the winning touchdown, you could go....
All.
The.
Way.
Rock on,
Jean