by Ankur Bora
I know I have a great idea, but I don’t know how to take it forward. Have there been occasions in your life when you’ve felt that way? Oftentimes we don’t know what we don’t know. These are the occasions when we need someone to guide – who can challenge us to grow. A few years ago, I delivered a speech titled Same Boat Brother at Highway to Excellence. My speech carries a universal message -My dream was to carry that message to a wider audience. I fortunately found a special person – Emily Murray.
That evening, after the end of the meeting when we dispersed, I happened to meet her again in the parking lot and we had a long conversation. Emily introduced me to the “Toastmasters mentoring program” whereby an experienced member helps a new member by passing on his or her knowledge, insight, and wisdom. She agreed to be my mentor and thus we embarked on a journey which gradually molded me into a story teller.
During the next six months, every weekend , we met at a common location – the library , the YMCA , the temple – if one was closed we knocked on the other , our pursuit was relentless. Emily taught me how to animate my body and voice to express my emotions, how to leverage the techniques of hand gestures, how to lower or raise the voice to express the rising conflict in my speech. She helped me craft my speech to a higher level – The USA TODAY Network has selected my speech for a special program called the Storytellers Project.
My Toastmasters journey became more exciting with the help of my mentor, Emily, guiding me along, helping me navigate my path, and giving wings to my wishes and dreams.
True we don’t know what we don’t know because our life experiences, observations , thought process , power to assimilate and express varies from one speaker to another. This is a humbling thought yet powerful because the awareness of it becomes a win win situation for both parties. The giver & the taker . If we know our strength we need to be willing to share or teach to further enhance our knowledge and the taker by being humble is creating space within himself to strengthen his weakness which then becomes strength itself .
It is imperative to surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow and learn. Emily infused in me a sense of purpose , made me believe I can soar higher , further , stronger. I am grateful to my club , my mentor and D25 Toastmasters,
Knowing and knowledge is fathomless, endless. So we don’t know what we don’t know is eternal paradox.
Ankur as his name stands is always full of positive energy, highly inquisitive, humble, committed, executes projects with a touch of class in missionary mode. Success follows him. He is super idol by himself. Hats off to him.