When I joined Toastmasters, I had one goal—to become a better speaker.
I didn’t just attend meetings. I didn’t just listen to others.
I spoke. A lot.
In my first two years, I delivered more than 200 speeches.
At first, I wasn’t great. Some speeches were too long. Others lacked impact. Sometimes, I completely missed the mark.
But something powerful happened: every mistake taught me something.
Three Ways Failing Fast Made Me a Better Speaker
Others fear failure. The best use it to grow faster.
↳ Put yourself in high-repetition situations.
I didn’t wait for “big” speaking opportunities—I created them. My Division Governor noticed my commitment and appointed me as his deputy. Every time he visited a club, he asked me to deliver a speech on the spot. No preparation. Just stand up and speak.
↳ Seek diverse feedback.
Speaking in different clubs exposed me to different audiences, different expectations, and different reactions. What worked for one group didn’t always work for another. Every speech became a learning experience.
↳ Master impromptu thinking.
Because I was speaking so often, I stopped fearing unexpected moments. I learned how to structure my thoughts quickly, adapt on the fly, and stay confident even when I didn’t have time to prepare.
Two Things to Stop Doing Today
Others avoid failure. The best see it as fuel for success.
↳ Stop fearing imperfect performance.
Many people hesitate to act because they don’t want to get it wrong. But failure isn’t the problem—stagnation is. Every failure gets you closer to mastery.
↳ Stop seeking only ‘safe’ opportunities.
If you only speak, present, or lead when you feel fully prepared, you’ll never grow fast. Get out of your comfort zone. Say yes to opportunities before you feel ready.
One Final Question
Others wait for perfection. The best improve through action.
What skill could you master faster if you were willing to fail more often?
Your answer determines if you’ll stay stuck in hesitation… or rise through experience.