Adrian

本期 SZTM 人物志的主人公，是我们的 Angel-Adrian, one of IPP 大大！他的英文说得比粤语好，粤语说得比普通话好，他是可爱又努力的 Adrian！

I first heard of Toastmasters when I was in studying electrical engineering in university. When most people go to Toastmasters, they think it’s amazing. I thought so too. So, I paid for my membership after my first meeting. In the next meeting, I gave a TableTopics speech and I found that It’s really hard. So, I decided to take a seven-year break from Toastmasters. The old manuals remind me how little confidence I use to have. I rejoined Toastmasters after having to do a 4-minute speech in front of 300 people at an engineering-related networking event. This is when I realized, you have no idea when you will speak in front of people. I wasn’t prepared for the unexpected.

There is a benefit of joining Toastmasters a long time ago and taking a long break. Even if the break is longer than the amount of time spent in Toastmasters. I can tell people I joined Toastmasters ten years ago. People will think I am a very experienced member even if they haven’t even heard of me.

People expected me to be a really good speaker when I first attended Toastmaster clubs in Shenzhen. I would ask them, “How many engineers do you know can communicate well?” I took some online courses to prove my point. People have repeatedly told me that I have improved. If you want to learn, I took the course for free. Here is the link.

Moreover, you will have no idea when you will be on CCTV. Practicing your public speaking and communication is very useful to prepare you for the unexpected.

I also needed to adapt to the Chinese environment. As an engineer, I don’t need to wear nice clothes. I don’t wear nice clothes because I believe who I am inside is more important. Chinese people care how well others dress. So, I adapted and wore nice clothes when I become SZTM President. I dress a lot better for Toastmasters then I do for work. My boss wonders why I dress like I am at the gym for work.

I was president of an engineering club when I was in university. My team loved how I led. I treat them like family. They even surprised me by designing and making T-shirts with my face on it. I didn’t tell them to do this. I thought I could make a great leader anywhere because of this experience. I realized this isn’t always true when I became President of SZTM. I realized that I am very good at leading people who take initiatives. There are many different styles of leadership. Being good at one doesn’t mean you can lead anyone.

I needed a challenge after four months of being SZTM President. I decided I will try to finish my DTM with the old education program. This means I have one year to complete 20+ speeches from the advance manuals; complete High-Performance Leadership project; present a few workshops; be club sponsor, or club mentor, or club sponsor; be a district officer for one year.

Being a district officer is the hardest for me. I ran for Division Director as a floor candidate at the Huizhou Conference. I think 75% of the voters didn’t know who I am. Even though I lost, competing with someone as Division Director might get you to be an Area Director. As Area Director, I take good care of the clubs in my area and the clubs I am responsible for. When a member from my area asks me to do something, I usually say, ‘yes’. I want people to know that they can count on me when something comes up. I hope that everything I am doing goes well and ensures the growth and development of clubs and members.

The more responsibilities I have in Toastmasters, the more challenges come up. This allows me to learn more about myself and makes me continue learning. I also realize that the more I want something, the more time and energy I will put into it. This past year in Toastmasters has been very crazy for me. I continue to challenge myself, prove myself and grow myself. My next challenge is to deliver meaningful speeches and workshops in Chinese.

Life is so stressful as fck. Doing Yoga helps a lot.

The will always be challenges. The bigger the challenge, the harder it is to push yourself to do it. It’s time to ask yourself, “How much do I want this?” Always try to challenge yourself, prove yourself and grow yourself.

欢迎来 SZTM 与志同道合的小伙伴一起上天入地，学习成长！本周二俱乐部服务官员竞选！就在今天， 欢迎参加围观见证新一代班底！

兴华大厦 A6，周二, 19：15-21：30 精彩继续，期待见到你!

更多资讯请扫下列二维码详询! 😄