Update: I've just returned from a Toastmasters division speech contest. Paul, a friend of mine, competed and came in second place. At the division level the speakers are a little more solid. Their messages have more beef. The winner here competes in the district Spring Conference.

I was also treated to a speech evaluation contest. I was simply amazed at how fast the contestants can come up with a three-minute evaluation presentation on the spot. There's no practicing or rehearsing. And some don't even use notes. Bravo!

If you get a chance to attend events that stretch your mind, body and soul: please think about going. There seems to be synergistic effects that can help you grow leaps and bounds instead of a single step. And when you begin growing leaps and bounds — your income begins growing leaps and bounds.

Feature Article: Baffling the Belly Butterflies

Resource: Jim Rohn Tribute Clip

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Winning by Example...

Norm is a ten-year Toastmasters member who always enters its semiannual speech contests. Toastmasters is in his blood. He attends his club's weekly meetings regularly and has served his district with enthusiasm over the years.

When asked why he wasn't competing this spring he said he was ineligible. Evidently he was asked and served as a judge in a February contest, which disqualified him from competing in the International Speech Contest. I knew this must have hurt him big time.

But he didn't throw in the towel. He continues to volunteer his services and wave the Toastmasters flag. It's winners like Norm who give an organization its luster.

Baffling the Belly Butterflies

Dear Associate,

I watched Martin give a spectacular speech about a personal experience. He was smooth, articulate and seemed to master the art of stage presence. He wasn't nervous at all and appeared quite confident. I was impressed beyond measure and hoped one day I would be able to emulate him.

On one occasion I asked him, "How do you handle stage fright, the shakes, and stomach butterflies?"

He answered with a secret that shocked me, "I have the absolute worst time with stage fright. I take beta blockers to reduce anxiety. Or else I'd fall apart."

Beta blockers retard your nervous system from feeling anxiety by stopping the flow of adrenaline. They make you appear calm, cool and collected. That's good.

The bad side is you speak in a dull, zombie-like tone and are less likely to energize or electrify your audience. It's equivalent to having a conversation with a Stepford Wife: All show and no go. I knew this wouldn't be the answer for me. Something about artificial anything from food, to performances, and to relationships just doesn't whet my appetite.

That discussion occurred over one year ago...

Fortunately I haven't had the butterflies in the past nine months. I've never taken any drugs or substances that retard my nervous system. I haven't enrolled in a breathing class or stress-reduction course — although they may be helpful. I did it the old-fashioned way: sheer will and determination.

Here are my three principles I use in baffling the belly butterflies:

1) Showtime. There's no substitute for this critical action step. There are no short cuts. You have to be pro-active in speaking out, answering questions and voicing your opinion on the platform in as many opportunities as available.

It's uncomfortable at first, yet when you've put in your time, you'll gain more confidence. Really. In time you'll discover there are many people who actually like what you have to say and agree with your points.

I began speaking at no-cost engagements. I wanted the experience and was willing to stick my neck out. What I didn't know I would get were smiles, tears and hugs. My confidence soared soon afterward. The butterflies seemed to have fluttered away.

But you'll also need this...

2) Belief. It's important you believe your message has value for your audience. That's why they are lending you their time. If you know you have an important message, you begin focusing less on yourself and more on what your audience will receive.

How do you know when your audience is receiving you?

They're giving you their eyes, ears and attention. Or perhaps they're in deep meditation because you've enlightened them or pierced them in the heart. Or maybe they're reflecting on a personal situation that involved them or someone they know.

I gave a talk on the art of giving to about fifty people with a hundred eyes staring back at me. On a few occasions there were no facial expressions. It got scary. I became a little spooked not knowing if they were agreeing or disagreeing with me. From their comments I later found out they were wrapped in deep thought. Whew!

Of course, you'll also have to do this...

3) Appreciate your audience. It's a sign of honor. They want what's best for you and want to support you. They're on your side. You take them in with your eyes, body and soul and absorb their positive vibrations. When this happens there's no room for nervousness.

My friend Andrea gives wonderful speeches. But she believes she does not and is constantly seeking audience approval. One day she almost gave up because she believed she sounded incoherent. Which wasn't the case. Then she beat herself up which gave her inner-critic more ammunition to use herself as target practice.

Andrea is overly self-conscious. She reflects on everything she's doing wrong or can go wrong. When she begins to realize she is really there for her audience — everything will shift for her.

Shaking the shakes isn't something you can do overnight. But by practicing these three principles simultaneously you'll be able to control, minimalize and baffle the belly butterflies for good.

Warm regards,

Jim Rohn is one of the most influential business philosophers, thought-provoking leaders and inspirational storytellers of our day. When I first heard him on a tape a friend gave me, I heard myself in his stories. This farm boy from Idaho had sparked something inside me to dream bigger and to reach higher.

Go to a high-speed computer to catch this short tribute from his many fans, fellows and friends. Or you can watch parts one and two on YouTube.