I didn’t join Toastmasters with the intention of becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster, it just happened as a result of regularly going to meetings, being embraced by and participating in my Toastmaster community, and enjoying the practice of speaking.
Imagine my delight when I realized I only had 2 more items to complete to get my DTM and it hadn’t really felt like work!
To earn a DTM you must:
Over a 10 year stint as a Toastmaster these "musts" happened organically. Like, I was a club officer several different times over the years, not because I knew it would help me get my DTM but because I was invested in my club, in the people I shared stories with every week, in helping the club be successful and grow. Or, as our club continued to grow and excel it was natural to step into a Club Coach role to help provide guidance to other clubs on opportunities and pitfalls.
The personal growth and learning that accompanied this process has been tremendous, here are but a few of the highlights.
Do what you enjoy and miraculously achieving goals doesn’t feel like a grind.
Get involved in community. By helping my community I helped myself - ah symbiosis!
I know more than I give myself credit for. I never really thought I was qualified to be be a club mentor or coach but over time and through osmosis I gained the knowledge and learned to drop it.
I got to be creative in ways I couldn't have imagined like running a youth Toastmasters program at a local high school. Wow, did this stretch me. But, in the end, the kids said I “Slap”, so there’s that.
Using Toastmasters to stay in a state of Practice has been a game changer for me personally and professionally, I look forward to the next 10 years.
As I sit here reflecting I feel honored, proud, and... distinguished. Although it didn't feel like work, most of the time, I committed, I showed up, and I engaged. And, now I have a title that relatively few people hold - Distinguished Toastmaster. Wow! 🥳
Congratulations Keith for achieving this title and honor. We are so proud of you! ~ The Articulated Intelligence Team
Comments