When OT Really Sucks

OT.
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.

I once had a Toastmasters club member who was disqualified because his speech went over the allotted time in a speech contest. I had heard his speech and it was good, definitely worthy of placing in the top three. He didn't have an excuse. His speech (as International Speeches should be) held an important, passionate message he yearned to share. He said, "I just wanted to say what I had to say....and that took more time." For him, the speech was more important than winning the trophy. If you've ever felt that way, I challenge you to make sure you aren't disqualified for OT. Why? If your speech is that important, if you want to share it, give yourself the best chance to share it at the next level....and the next....and the next. If you have a speech that can touch hearts and change lives, it may be that person that will be impacted the most won't hear it until you're speaking before another audience. Don't cheat them of that experience.


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'?

That's what it takes. Before you take the stage, write out (or type) your speech. Check the number of words you have. As a rule, 1 minute = 400 spoken words. Naaa....just kidding! Unless you're an auctioneer! Actually, we speak, on the average, about 150 words per minute. If you're giving a 4-7 minute speech, be sure you aren't pushing the envelope with the number of words you're speaking. Plus, you need to factor in time for the audience as you'll want to pause when they laugh and not step on their laughter. Also, factor in pauses for effect: ask a question, let the audience answer it in their heads; make a bold statement, let the audience think about it or pause just before you make the statement so they'll be waiting anxiously for what you're about to deliver. Take all this into consideration when determining how many words your speech should be.

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

Are You In It To Win It?

In 2010, I’ll admit that initially I was a reluctant competitor in the Toastmasters Evaluation contest at the club level. As a club officer, I was determined that we WOULD BE represented. So, I made the statement (and, let me just say, if you make a statement to a group of Toastmasters or any group, you have to be prepared to back it up; I had not thought that far ahead), so I made the statement, “Our club needs to be represented. If you don’t do it, I will!” Silence. Now, I couldn’t quite tell but I think I may have heard a few sighs of relief. After all, entering a speaking contest is not the easiest thing in the world. For those of you who have, kudos to you. Easy or not, it is definitely a good experience and one that will help you to grow by leaps and bounds as a speaker.

And that’s how I became the evaluation contestant for our club. While I had entered other speaking contests, I had never even considered the evaluation contest. No real reason except that I felt there were others much better than me at evaluation. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever let your perception of yourself hold you back?

Now, in Toastmaster evaluation contests, we compete at the club, area, division and finally the district (or state) level. The competition gets tougher as you advance. This is typical of every contest.

Somehow, in November 2010, I found myself on stage in Wilmington, NC, competing at the district level. Against the best of the best from around the state. By this time, I was no longer that reluctant contestant at the club level. Somehow, winning the area, then the division, had lit a fire inside me. I wanted to do my best, not just for me but for my local Burlington club. I was in it to win it!

Whether you’re competing now or plan to compete at a later date, here are two pieces of advice you should take to heart.

1) Find a mentor or mentors that you can trust to give you valuable feedback. Just because your Uncle Joe thinks you’re the best doesn’t mean he knows enough about the speaking biz to coach you to the win. Find someone who can.

2) Take a look at the judge’s ballot for your contest and make sure you meet the criteria for each section. This can take you far in any contest.

For a short 5-minute video with more valuable tips to winning a speech contest, click here.

Now, are you ready to compete? Are you in it to win it? Go forth and enjoy the ride.

Rock on,

Jean