Who is it REALLY About?

Still high from my District International Speech Contest win, I think it's time to look back. What have I learned in the last 3 years so far? I've learned to fail... and get back up; I've learned to fall.... and get back up; I've learned what winning feels like... and get back up (nearly collapsed on the floor when they called my name for first place!). What's the theme here? GET BACK UP! Last year I didn't make it past Area (that's the 2nd level of competition if you're un-familiar with how Toastmasters does it). I was devastated! I didn't realize it at the time, but my husband said I moped around the house for weeks! That is until..... I was asked to be the Contest Master for the District International Speech Contest. What an honor! I couldn't believe it! I decided to try and make the experience as close to the International level as possible for the speakers (considering I had been in the audience for several of them). I set up the stage like they do at International; I created the Certificates like they do at International; I even made sure they had a "green" room to rest and prep. I KNEW this was going to be FUN!

Soon after the word got out around the District that I would be the Contest Master, I received dozens of emails, text messages, FB posts, and voicemails. All saying, "Hey, Liza! This is a GREAT opportunity for you to showcase your skills!" My reply? No way! This is NOT about me, this is about Them! This is THEIR show! I want to spend as little time on stage as possible. And, ya' know what? It went off without a hitch! The contest was awesome and I had an absolute BALL!!

Fast forward to the plane ride out to Vegas for the 2011 Convention. I began thinking about my next contest speech. "Hmmm, what am I going to talk about? What do I want my audience to hear? What message do I want to give?" Did you notice how many times I said, "I?" WAY too many! A little voice in the back of my head reared up and roared up:

"Hey IDIOT!!!! It's NOT about YOU! It's about THEM!!!"

What do you mean?

"It's not about YOU! It's about THEM!!! Your AUDIENCE!!!" {Lightbulb!!!}

Do you know how long people have been trying to tell me that? TOO LONG!! Yes, it is my story. Yes it is my speech. But, my JOB is to make that story RELATABLE to my audience! DUH! Once I realized that, I felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders!

As a result, here I am a District Champion on my way to the International Speech Semi-Final round competition. And, I can't WAIT!!!

What is YOUR speech about? YOU? or THEM?