Learning Back-to-back, My New Degree

Having completed over 300 marathons, I was a serious marathoner and used to train back-to-back, which means doing two high-intensity runs (a 25K long run or a 15K tempo run) in the evening and the following morning. Having experienced an epiphany after the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to pursue something else, so I haven't run a marathon for years, let alone training back-to-back. However, this weekend I had a strong sense of déjà vu, having participated in two Toastmasters club meetings back-to-back.

I first joined the regular meeting of Good Life Toastmasters on Friday evening. We had a thought-provoking theme: "Luck Favors the Prepared Mind", under which participants were invited to answer a question: "What is a recent lucky moment in your life?" What a coincidence - the question was highly relevant to the speech I was preparing to deliver the following morning! So, here was my answer: "The recent lucky moment in my life is now, this moment. Why? As part of my habitual reflection during long holidays, I suddenly realized that I have accomplished something meaningful since I retired four years ago. I felt so fulfilled, as if I just earned a new bachelor's degree, and will deliver a speech about it at our regular meeting tomorrow. Moreover, I consider myself very lucky; and, yes, I have a prepared mind, too."

Apart from the friendly, uplifting, and rewarding vibe that I always experience at a Toastmasters meeting, we had some surprisingly pleasant chats: a new friend from the UK unexpectedly joined us as a guest; a participant was just admitted by a renowned university in the UK, so he will study there for his master's degree later this year; a participant shared her experience as an exchange student in Poland; I visited the UK over a year ago and will embark on a trip to Poland next month; the list goes on.

The following morning, I participated in the meeting at my club, Sandwich Taipei Toastmasters. The meeting theme was: "Difficult Customer", and the question was: "Have you ever personally experienced or witnessed a difficult customer? What happened?" It was relatable, too, and here was my answer: "Yes, in my experience, a major type of difficult customer is one who asks for more than what we are authorized to provide. On the other hand, our employees with high EQ and soft skills can take care of such customers properly most of the time. So, whether the customer is difficult or not also depends on the one who serves. For example, the customer is difficult for employee A who is inexperienced, but is easy for employee B who is experienced with high EQ."

In addition, I delivered a prepared speech, titled "My New Degree" at the meeting. After the meeting adjourned, we had a group meal together as usual. This is my favorite part because we can mingle and get to know each other better in person. That’s why we call it “the second round”—a continuation of learning from one another even after the meeting.

So, I would say it's "learning back-to-back" in lieu of training back-to-back. What a fulfilling weekend!

Here is the script for my speech.

_________________________________________

My New Degree

Do you have an undergraduate degree?

When did you get it, and what was your major?

Good morning!

Like many people, I spent my recent long holidays relaxing at home. At the same time, I also reflected more than usual. Suddenly, I realized something that I had not been aware of. 

"I started a new journey when I retired four years ago...." Wait a minute – four years? That’s the time it takes to get an undergraduate – or what they call a bachelor’s – degree, isn’t it?

After recalling in greater detail what I have accomplished in the past four years, I came to the conclusion that I just earned a new undergraduate degree indeed, although there’s no certificate for it.

To earn this new degree, I have studied many courses in the past four years, including the four “main courses” that I enjoyed the most. Let me explain more.

The first main course that I studied is English literature. I love reading English literature because it broadens my horizons, stimulates my imagination, and allows me to learn from the brightest minds across space and time. To date, I have read 21 Shakespeare plays, plus over 50 world literature classics, in English.

The second main course I have studied is English writing. Being a writer was my childhood dream and English is my favorite language despite not being my mother tongue, so I combined the two to launch my personal blog. Last week, I published my 100th blogpost, with total blog views reaching 9,000. So, now I consider myself a writer already, though I have to confess that 30% of the blog views were contributed by my No. 1 fan – me, myself!

The third main course I’ve studied is traveling, or, more specifically, backpacking. I study this course by traveling around Taiwan, using public transportation and staying at youth hostels, to experience and learn first-hand about the people, culture, and history of my small but lovely country that has many, many mountains, as well as countless economic miracles. To date, I have conducted 45 backpacking trips and am now on my third round-island tour in Taiwan.

The fourth main course I’ve studied is public speaking, communication, and leadership - yes, by joining Toastmasters! Although I first heard of it a long time ago, I joined Toastmasters only three years earlier. Along the way, I have enjoyed learning together with like-minded friends – people with a growth mindset like every one of you in this room. A year ago, I completed my first learning path, and now I’m on my second learning path under Toastmasters’ Pathways program.

Having recollected all my accomplishments, I further realized that the university I enrolled with is called “University of Life Journeys”, and the department, or the major, that I chose is called “Self-Actualization”. 

In addition, I also gained some insight into the new degree I just earned:

First, a degree represents meaningful accomplishments achieved by personal efforts. You can earn your degree at different stages of your life journey with the accomplishments that are meaningful to you;

Second, define “what is meaningful to me?”on your own, instead of following the expectation of other people. Set goals and focus your precious resources - both time and money - on your goal accomplishments;

Third, cultivate right habits and self-discipline to realize your meaningful accomplishments; then you will earn your new degree - with or without a certificate.

To conclude, I earned a new degree from “University of Life Journeys” and my major was “self-actualization”. The insight I gained includes three points: first, a degree stands for meaningful accomplishments by personal efforts; second, find your meaningful goals and focus your resources on them; third, cultivate good habits and self-discipline to get your degree - with or without a certificate.

Toastmaster of the Day!