How to Succeed in a Table Topics Contest

You go to the front of the room during a table topics session excited and sure that you can dazzle the audience for 1-2 minutes. Then the Table Topics Master reads THE QUESTION- and your mind goes completely blank! Has this ever happened to you? Many of us have experienced that awful moment.

If you plan to enter the table topics contest this month, here are a few tips to make sure that you can present your best - even under the pressure of a contest.

1. Jetstart the brain.

• Read the newspaper or watch the news. Keep abreast of current events and think about the 2 or 3 things you might want to say on the topics that interest you.
• Listen to a child. My best ideas come from listening to my grandchildren and hearing what they have to say about school, parenting, the meaning of life.
• Think about one person that you have read about or met that is a role model (or has changed your life) and why.

2. Think about a reponse that you could make if the following values type questions were asked:

• What does friendship (love, faith, marriage, honour, loyalty etc) mean to you?
• What would you do if ...(you had a million dollars, you could vacation anywhere in the world all expenses paid, you could live anywhere in the world, etc)?
• If you could change anything in the past...(your past, world history, work etc), what would it be and why?
• What advice would you give to...(your 10 year old self, your child, your friend etc)?

3. Organize your thoughts:

• When you listen to the question, listen carefully. Before you speak, take a few seconds to think about your main points. If you don't feel you can answer the question exactly as it is presented, remember that it is OK to acknowledge the question and then segway into what you want to talk about.
• Take a slow breath in from the diaphragm for a count of 4 and let the breath out quietly for a count of 4.
• Look at the audience, smile and start.
• Make a strong opening statement, 2 or 3 main points, a story to illustrate your point, wrap your table topic up with a closing statement that pulls us back to the opening and the question.
• If you are one of those gifted people that can do humour on the spot - this is a huge bonus -- especially if it entertains and/or helps you to make a point.

You may find, as I did, that the exercise of thinking about your interests and values is stimulating and worthwhile in itself. Thinking ahead will help you answer any table topic question - even under pressure.

Can't wait to hear you in your next table topics session!