Carol's Corner

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Photo courtesy of Shannon Vinter District 42 Toastmaster

I had the pleasure of presenting an educational session at the District 42 Toastmasters fall conference in Regina, SK. on November 12, 2016. The beautiful setting of an old, regal looking hotel ball room, complete with chandeliers, gold and white walls and sunlight streaming in the window gave an elegant backdrop to a room full of over forty toastmasters. The focus of the session included why and how to use the power of stories to make any message more memorable.

Often we want to relegate a good story to the entertainment only file and yet a personal story will help us remember the points, the message, or the challenge given by the presenter. Personal story is powerful. It takes theoretical knowledge and data and turns it into practical because someone has experienced it. Patricia Hooper, the person introducing me at this session, summed it up well afterwards when she mentioned how one personal story had impacted her to finally use all the wellness information she knew and take up a challenge to be a healthier person. We all have stories that can encourage others, challenge them, inform them and motivate them to use information they know or we are giving them in a presentation. When that happens, the message has become memorable.

What story has impacted you and helped you move from nodding your head in agreement with a list of facts and figures and moved you to take action? What presenter stands out in your memory for the powerful presentation and how was story responsible for the impact?

What story do you have – and we all have stories to share – that can add to your message and impact others?
This morning I left the group with a challenge. Choose the topic or theme you usually speak about or want to speak about. Put your message into one sentence. This way you have the main point you want to convey and all the information, stories, powerpoint slides or handouts will support this point – no rabbit trails required. Then think of a story that illustrates your main point, write it out in 200 – 250 words and send it to me or get someone else to read it and edit for you. After that practice, practice, practice until it flows smoothly in the telling and into the presentation. Add others and repeat until you have a file of stories for your message.