Dream Big 

My Toastmasters Debut 17th November 2017

Last night, I presented my very first Toastmasters speech to the DLS Communicators Group in Waterford. The first speech a new member delivers is known as an 'Ice-Breaker'. So-called as you literally break the public speaking ice! My speech was named 'Dream Big' and I delivered a synopsis of my life in three parts covering my dream, during the dream, and dream maintenance. The dream theme was summarised at the end. 

In my speech, I recalled my dreams as a young girl. My daydreams and night dreams were very much the same. I always wanted to be my own boss. I dreamt of walking down a work corridor with authority and purpose. I saw myself greeting all my employees and smiling at them. It was a busy, happy work environment that I loved being part of and leading. 

My dreams

I recall my dreams as a young girl. My daydreams and night dreams were very much the same. I always wanted to be my own boss. I dreamt of walking down a work corridor with authority and purpose. I saw myself greeting all my employees and smiling at them. It was a busy, happy work environment that I loved being part of and leading.  My parents have their own business, so this ambition possibly stemmed from them.

At school, I was always artistic and a dreamer. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. As time went on, I also became aware of my love for business organisation. For my Transition Year work experience interview, I recall dressing in my mother’s red skirt suit, white blouse and stiletto heels. When I arrived at the school, the teachers gasped at what I was wearing. I tried not to take any notice either, when I met all my school friends dressed in plain, black trousers and blouses. Very neutral, whilst I stuck out like a sore thumb in this rouge ensemble! When the teachers asked what job I was being interviewed for, I confidently replied ‘Managing Director’. They informed me it was not a role that one is interviewed for, so I settled for a senior manager/director role instead.  Following the interview, I exited the building leaving as red as the suit I wore!

This all eventually led to studying Business Studies in WIT, where I achieved my degree in Economics and Finance. However, the lack of creativity within my subsequent financial roles, pushed my dream aside and left me longing. Did I want to fulfil a career in finance? I didn’t think so. And that got me thinking...

The Dream Started…

When the recession began to take its toll, I went off traveling to South America and Australia. It was then I looked within and questioned my career choices. I returned to WIT to pursue a Masters of Business Studies in Marketing. Returning to study was something I never imagined doing again. Particularly as I knew it involved many class presentations. However, it was a worthwhile experience. It turned out that it was quite a successful time for me and I achieved a first-class honour. A step taken towards realising my dream.

I set up my business Efitz Marketing this year with a great vision. A vision of making it big. A large corporate operation and me being the boss. I can still picture the tall buildings, my heels clicking on the pavement as I make my way to the office, meeting clients and reviewing my employees work. Being the boss. 

However, what I have learned was that dreams need maintenance. 

Dreams need goals and I needed steps to achieve my goals. A step I took was that I began writing my goals down since January 2017. Denzel Washington famously said that, “Dreams without goals, are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment”. I can happily say that I have since crossed off a few to date this year and that they fuelled my drive further.

Continual learning and self-improvement were other areas I needed to focus on. I am an introvert person who has had a fear of public speaking. This is a necessary skill required in my line of work which has been holding me back far too long. So here I am today, conquering that fear. Taking the steps. To living the dream.

I’m certain many more steps will be needed to be taken, goals will change and develop. But my dream remains constant.

Just after receiving my Ice Breaker Award

To Conclude

I concluded my speech about my dream, and then broke the dream into stages of before, during and dream maintenance. I found that the dream I dreamt is only the tip of the iceberg, and completely underestimated the work is that required to realise it. For Eleanor Roosevelt stated, 

         “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

For I will dream big, and wear whatever colour suit I want.

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