An important milestone for members of Rangiora Toastmasters is the delivery of the tenth speech project from the Communication and Leadership Manual. Where possible (i.e. when there is a script available) we intend posting the speech to our R/T blog. They are invariably terrific and this one Delivered by Erika last week is no exception. Congratulations Erika for achieving your Competent Communicator Certificate!
No 10 Speech: WE DON’T CONQUER MOUNTAINS – WE CONQUER OURSELVES!
You guessed it – it’s a quote from Sir Edmond Hillary and I like it. I cannot help but think it must have been a heart-felt saying of his. Having been bullied and ridiculed at school for his non-athletic, awkward figure he no doubt had to overcome many figurative mountains before reaching the top of the real one, Mt Everest. Few of us will ever have the desire to climb Mt Everest, but most of us set ourselves goals and challenges along life’s journey. Whether we achieve them depends not only on skills and experience but also our attitude towards them. There is a saying; “it doesn’t matter whether you say I can or I can’t – you’re probably right either way” It’s a good reason to shut down that negative chatterbox in our heads. How do we do that? We can read inspirational books, watch DVDs or videos, or surround ourselves with motivated and positive people. I prefer the latter. Where do we meet them? Let’s face it, we’re not all in positions where we meet great leaders in person, but remember we all live among positive people: family, friends and/or community. They’re not the people you read about in glossies, or see on TV, at least not often – they’re the quiet achievers, leaders by example, doing what comes naturally. I met Bruce Bunny in Wellington – at least in name. A few of us were out kayak training on Wellington Harbour one Saturday morning. Multisport racing was in its infancy and some of us, mostly from a competitive cross-country running background, felt like pioneers in a new sport that promised challenges and adventures. We were all loaded with enthusiasm, and the fact I could have been mother to most of the others didn’t bother me. That is until young Allan said “Erika, you should do the Coast to Coast, you’d love it, you’d do okay.” I think I nearly fell out of my tippy long boat – a good idea Allan, but I think it’s a bit late for that. After all the big 40 was but a distant memory. Without even thinking about it, Allen shouted over the noise of the paddles carving through the water: “you should talk to my dad, he is older than you but he doesn’t know he is old.” Six months later when my husband and I were transferred to Christchurch I meet his dad. I didn’t need an introduction. You couldn’t miss the fit looking guy with the white hair, white beard and a grin from ear to ear. Bruce’s love affair with the famed mountain race began in the mid 1980s. He told me that when he retired from his sedentary job as tour bus driver he couldn’t even run around the block without stopping. Imagine the many challenges he must have faced before tackling Goat Pass and the mighty Waimakariri River? He persisted – and succeeded. I can’t remember how many Coast to Coasts he’s done, but it must be at least a dozen, including the longest day. We became firm friends, were often on the same training trips over the mountains and on rivers. He participated in just about all the races I did, but I could never catch him. I still remember when he won a spot prize in a race. It was for a trip for two and a race entry to the Scottish Coast to Coast. He was in his late 60s and, sadly his wife Norma could not go with him because of ill health. So he went with his daughter, Debbie, also an accomplished veteran athlete. As if competing in that race was not enough, Bruce decided it would be nice to see a little of the English country side as well. Before the race they spent 3 weeks cycle touring between London and Glasgow, carrying their gear in panniers, including their camping gear. They both finished the race an, with Debbie winning the veteran women’s section. His quiet can-do attitude has inspired many athletes of all ages and abilities, and earned him the nickname of “grandfather of multisport”. I was one of those athletes fortunate enough to be inspired by him. I realise that most people have no desire to put themselves through the rigours of multisport and adventure racing, but I consider myself extremely lucky that I’ve had about 18 years of it. Apart from the fun and friendships I’ve enjoyed, I also learnt that age, or similar perceived obstacles, don’t come into it, nor does winning. What does matter, apart from the appropriate physical and mechanical skills required for the task, is what we think of ourselves. We need to learn to shut down that negative chatterbox that says “I can’t”. Most of us are probably more capable than we think we are, if we just give ourselves the freedom to think and believe it. Whether it is in sport, business, work, or daily life, Sir Ed’s words will always ring true: “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
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