I performed my Toastmasters Icebreaker speech on March 19, 2024.

The Icebreaker is the first speech you perform after you join Toastmasters. 

It can be on any topic you are comfortable talking about. 

Naturally, I chose personal development because I like talking about it and educating others on the importance of personal development.

So, how did it go?

Not too bad. I forgot a few parts, stumbled over my words a bit. But overall, I enjoyed the experience.

One of the aspects of Toastmasters that I love is the feedback. Once the speech is over, the evaluator gives you feedback on what you did well and what needs improvement.

Feedback is vital if we want to improve, and I certainly do. 

Here is the feedback I received from my icebreaker speech:

I have included my speech below, as well as the video. 

Yes, I recorded myself. 

Admittedly, the video was not that easy for me to watch. It’s weird watching yourself give a speech as it turns out.

However, I can clearly see areas for improvement for my next speech. 

Without further ado, here is my icebreaker speech.

My Toastmasters Icebreaker Speech

Thank you Madam Toastmaster. Good Evening fellow toastmasters, and esteemed guests. My name is Kathy and I am a self-proclaimed personal development enthusiast.

As you can see (gesture with arms at my pile of books).

Over the last few years, I have read and listened to dozens of personal development books on my quest to learn ‘what makes successful people successful?’ 

Why, you ask? So that I may emulate what successful people do, so that one day i may be successful.

What I have learned and want to share with you tonight is the #1 action successful people take that unsuccessful people do not take.

They set goals.

The ability to set goals and make a plan for their accomplishment is considered the ‘master skill’ of success. 

In fact one of the reasons I am here at Toastmasters tonight is because I have a goal of becoming a successful financial planner. I want to be able to talk to people one on one, in a group setting, at meetings, and give presentations without going beet red and fumbling over my words.

By speaking here tonight, I am one step closer to achieving my goal. 

My aim is that by the end of this speech, YOU will know the steps to goal achievement and be inspired to take action today.

There are 3 steps to in the goal achievement process. 

They are:

1. Identify your goal
2. Make A Plan
3. Take Action

Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these steps, starting with:

Number 1) Identify your goal. Start by designing your ideal life. Write down everything you desire. Remember when you were a kid you dreamed of being an astronaut and living in a mansion. Do that.

Decide where you want to live, what car you wan tot drive, what kind of house you want to live in, what income you want to earn, what kind of relationship you want with your kids, spouse, or parents.

Write it all down. Get crystal clear with what you want.

Now that you have designed your life, how do you identify your goals? 

People have 3 pain points in their lives that fall into the categories: health, wealth, and relationships. When I set goals I choose one goal for each category. An example for Health: I want to run a marathon.

Wealth: I want to earn $1M. 

Relationships: I want to be a more patient person.

Now you have designed your life, and identified your goals, it’s time for the next step:

Make A Plan.

Let’s use our health goal as an example.

I want to run a marathon.

Let’s make it specific. A specific goal would be: I want to run the Toronto Marathon in May of 2025.

Now you have a clear, specific goal.

Next, brainstorm how you’re going to accomplish this.

For example, you don’t know much about running, so you should order some books. Your friend Erv is a runner, you should call him and get his advice. You don’t have any running shoes, you should probably get a pair. You will need a training schedule to follow.

Now, let’s organize these thoughts:

First, call Erv today and get his advice. On Wednesday you order some running books based on Erv’s recommendations. On Saturday you go to The Running Room and get yourself a pair of running shoes. And on Sunday, you write out a training schedule so you are good to go for Monday.

Now you have identified your goal, and made a plan, now it’s time for THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP – TAKE ACTION!

You must take consistent, continuous action.

You’re amped up from setting your goals and making a plan. You want to keep that momentum going by taking action every. Single. Day. 

Because let me tell you, once you stop, it is hard to start back up again.

Let me reiterate because this is important. You must take consistent, continuous action toward the achievement of your goal every single day.

Now to recap as I finish, what we learned here today is successful people achieve goals. They do this by identifying their goals, making a plan, and taking action. Continuos, consistent action.

I hope I have inspired you here tonight to develop this master skill of success and become a goal achiever. 

Thank you.

Final Thoughts About My Toastmasters Speech

Although scary and nerve-racking, performing this speech was pretty fun.

Toastmasters is a supportive environment that allows for growth for those looking to improve their public speaking skills. 

As well, Toastmasters helps with thinking on your feet. Being able to have a conversation with anyone on the fly. 

Being able to have and hold impromptu conversations on any subject is paramount to success in business and in life.

I am really enjoying my Toastmasters experience so far, and if you feel like you could use some improvements in any of the areas I have touched on please consider joining your local Toastmasters group. 

It’s a lot of fun and you meet interesting people as well.

Let’s toast to self-improvement and expand our horizons!

Cheers!