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From Table Topics
to Trophy

by Peggy Poulos, ACB, CL

What does a prize fighter, an opera singer and an Olympic
speed skater have in common? Before they perform they
always do warm up exercises specifically created to exact
their best performance.

At one time I was that lady you would always see singing
in her car waiting for the light to change. But that changed
when I became a Toastmaster. Soon I found myself doing
warm up speaking exercises in the form of Table Topics
instead of singing a song. To me, Table Topics is the entry point for every speaker. You can’t do enough of
them and you can do them literally anytime, anywhere. They keep your speaking “muscles” well-toned,
trained and ready to execute at a moment’s notice.

One evening I was headed to my Possibilities Unlimited Toastmaster’s Meeting, in Mission Viejo, California.
I was excited as it was our Club’s Contest that night. I was going to participate in the Table Topics portion
of the Contest. On my way I was practicing Table Topics by looking at signs, seeing a word or a phrase, and
making them into Table Topics questions for me to answer.

During that drive I came up with the Table Topic “Why
everyone should love ice cream”. I really got into it! So much
so I made myself laugh. When I arrived at the club they
only had one Humorous Speech contestant, so I offered to
do my freshly created “Ice Cream” speech as a “Hot Seat”
contestant. I didn’t expect to
win, but we were just that kind of club. You know, “Take
one for the Gipper”. . .what? You don’t know what that
means? It means I didn’t expect to win but I did it to make
our contest. . .well. . .a contest.

I won! Practicing Table Topics taught me how simple it is to
come up with a speech. Now I have extra confidence after
I’ve “warmed up” to speak. So can you! Whether you are
traveling in your car, waiting for someone, or can’t sleep
at night, there is always time to do a Table Topic or two,
and ALWAYS do them on the way to any speaking required
event so you too will be ready to step up and be a winner.

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