Toastmasters International -Gain Skills by Finishing Strong

Toastmasters International President Radhi Spear in red suit jacket with Toastmasters pin

Finishing strong. It’s a phrase we hear every June as the Toastmasters year comes to an end. But what does it really mean?

When I was District Governor in the mid-2000s, we had a District statistician who meticulously tracked data year after year, and he shared how the majority of education awards were typically earned in the final two months of the year.

That kind of last-minute sprint was nerve-wracking! The District’s success at that time depended on four key goals, two of them being educational, yet for most of the program year, it was impossible to gauge where we stood since so much of the activity came at the end. But that big push down the homestretch is worth it.

To stay on top of our progress, we closely analyzed Area Director reports, systematically checking if clubs were on track to meet their goals. If they weren’t, we didn’t just wait and hope—we followed up, encouraged, and supported them.

I learned how vital these efforts are, even when you’re steps away from the finish line. On the final day of the Toastmasters program year, an Area Governor called me in frustration. She had tried everything to reach a club in her Area to make sure they renewed, but no one was responding. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I called and the Club President actually answered! I explained why it was in the club’s best interest to keep itself active, and walked them through the dues-payment process. That club renewed, and because of it, our District became Distinguished.

“Finishing strong” is more than a phrase—it’s a mindset that builds habits for lifelong success.

Toastmasters is a place to develop real-world skills. I have faced many deadlines in my career and have had to motivate my coworkers to complete tasks on time. While the workplace comes with career and financial consequences, Toastmasters provides a space to hone these same skills in a supportive environment. We shouldn’t treat deadlines and goals any differently in Toastmasters—what we learn here prepares us for success beyond our organization.

I often hear District leaders say, “I just want to leave the District in a better place than when I started.” But that’s a vague goal—and vague goals rarely lead to success. Imagine if I were paying for my daughters to go to college and they told me, “I just want to learn more than I knew when I started.” That wouldn’t fly in the real world.

Success in Toastmasters isn’t just for District leaders and club officers—it’s for all members. When we push ourselves to meet our goals, we uplift the members in the District. “Finishing strong” is more than a phrase—it’s a mindset that builds habits for lifelong success.