Hi,
Below is my speech Project 9 ‘Persuade With Power’ in Toastmasters Club. The objective of the speech is to “persuade, by appealing to the audience’s interests, using emotion and logic.”
Title – ‘Never Stop Questioning’
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I was watching 3 idiots with my family in the Multiplex.
On my left sat my 8 year old cousin and to the right my mom.
In the front, Rancho was been scolded by professor for asking a question.
When Rancho was being scolded, It reminded me of similar incidence that happened to me in my school when I asked my teacher “why is 2+2 =4, why not 5, 6 or 7”.
The school teacher gave me the look. Yes, the same look that your girlfriend gives when you forget her birthday.
Well the teacher berated me and said “You are not supposed to ask questions in the class”.
On seeing the similar scene, I felt really bad and something moved within me and tears started rolling down my cheek. (action)
When the movie ended, my mom asked “What did you learn from the movie?”
Suddenly my 8 year old cousin yelled out (p) “Prateek cries in the movie”.
“Dammmm” (V)
What did I learn “Never stop questioning”.
Yes, Fellow toastmasters & dear guests
“Never stop questioning”. It’s never too late to ask questions.
My 8 year old cousin is a perfect example. He asks question to everything.
“Why this” – “what’s that” – “Why not this”
Do you remember “As a child, we used to pester our parents with our never ending questions?”
We used to ask them –
“What is the hull on a ship? What’s the difference between a fruit and a vegetable? Why do I have to go to school?”
We always used to ask questions without worrying, without thinking and without been judged.
Why does children’s inquisitive nature gets lost somewhere when we grow up? Why do we stop asking questions? Why we have forgotten that questioning is fun?
Because after becoming adults, it is like we suddenly hit a wall (action) and stopped asking questions.
We start fearing and start wondering ‘What if I am laughed at’? ‘What would people think of me’? ‘I would become a laughing joke’?
Even if we want to ask a question, we hear our inner voice saying “STOP – Don’t raise your hand. It’s better to just sit quietly, do as been told and don’t ask any questions.”
Friends,
We are born to quench our curiosity by asking questions and finding answers.
Albert Einstein, the greatest physicist ever born once said –
“The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids! They ask question such as ‘Who, what, where, why, when, and how!’ You should never stop asking questions, just like a five year old.”
Now the question is do we have the courage to ask questions like a five year old?
I had the privileged to witness such courage by a 5 year old kid, Mohit who is a mute (he cannot speak).
He had a thin and pale face but his eyes were intriguing.
I met him when I was volunteering as a Math teacher in an NGO for disabled childrens.
I was teaching them ‘2+2=4’. When Mohit raised his hand and asked (Hand gesture –why).
Honestly, back then I didn’t know the answer so I replied the same answer which I received as a kid.
I smiled and said “Mohit, you are not supposed to ask questions in the class.”
Instead of doing as been told, there he stood and telling me “Never stop questioning otherwise you will become Idiot” (action)
That day, I learned a life changing lesson “Never stop Questioning”. Now, I constantly incorporate this lesson in my life.
I always used to wonder “why don’t I deserve CRR1?” but I never had courage to ask my manager. Mohit’s courage motivated me and I asked my manager “why don’t I deserve CRR1?” then a miracle happened. I got a (p) proper feedback.
Now I constantly ask my friends who are chasing MBA dream. “why do you want to do an MBA”?
Now I constantly try to reason my action by asking myself ‘why I am doing this’?
After I adapted this lesson, my life has changed – I have become happy & aware of my actions. This principle holds true for every person who adopts it.
According to the research by Harvard Medical School, asking questions regularly –
- fosters your creativity and critical thinking skills
- can help you advance in your field and help you discover new ideas and information
- increases your knowledge and aids your memory leading to better decisions
Remember “it is always better to ask than to assume”.
If you forget every word that I said today, I would be thrilled if you remember to one lesson and incorporate in your life –
“Never stop questioning”. (Action + p)
Over to Mr. Toastmasters.
I truly loved this speech; “Never stop asking Questions”. I shall rekindle this innate characteristic that has grown cold. You have called me to action!!!! Well done.
Very good message
Thanks Devdatta! I am glad that you liked the message.