Walnut Creek Toastmasters Las Juntas

I wish to thank District 101 Toastmasters of Silicon Valley for inviting me to keynote their Leadership Institute last Saturday. Instead of offering one presentation I decided to go deeper with my audience and provide a second option.

In the morning I presented my "Banish Burnout: Move from Stress to Success" keynote. In the afternoon we gathered a unique group together to conduct a Deep Dive Banish Burnout Roundtable in which we unpacked the three key tools from the presentation:

We spent a lot of time talking about what to do when someone crosses your boundary.

📌 For example, one person runs a Dev Ops group (systems life cycle team) and she finds that people often come to her at 5:00 on Friday asking if she can install a major change over the weekend.

Hmm, that is so interesting to me for a number of reasons. But what we all agreed is “if it’s Friday at 5:00, the answer is no, unless it’s an emergency.”

📌 We also talked about the fact that there are those in our communities who may be neuro-divergent and cannot adequately understand our boundary. This can cause confusion and frustration. What we learned from this vignette was that when someone seems to be ignoring a boundary that has been clearly stated repeatedly, they may not be ABLE to absorb your need. We all learned to have grace and not assume the worst about someone who continues to frustrate you.

📌 Another issue that caused problems for one manager is her personal culture. She shared that in her culture one never says ‘no’ especially to family members. I, too was brought up this way. It took me and her many years to learn that not every request should be honored. Often there is someone else who can satisfy the request. We learned that ‘no’ is a complete sentence. We also learned that when someone says, “Sorry I can’t help you,” that is exactly what they mean.

📌 When it comes to bosses, how can we say ‘no’ to them? And when should we?

Well that depends. While we assume bosses know our workload, sometimes they have a lot on their plate. So when they come to you with an exciting new project, but you are overloaded, one possible answer is, “I simply do not have the bandwidth." Simple. Clear.

📌 Finally we learned from Improv Mistress Elaine Lung how the “YES AND” approach helps to overcome boundary issues.

What I am offering now to all of my clients is the opportunity to deeply engage with and absorb my teachings by experiencing a Deep Dive Roundtable.

Thank you to Bandanapudi, District Director, Garcia, Program Quality Director, and Wendy Fan, Club Growth Director.

I am honored to be presenting my Banish Burnout Keynote at the District 101 Toastmasters Toastmasters Leadership Institute in this Saturday.

For me Toastmasters was where it all began, by giving me not only my speaking structure but also my leadership training as a board member and president of my Walnut Creek Toastmasters Las Juntas in Toastmasters District 57.

I'm also pleased to be joined by my National Speakers Association, Northern California Chapter colleague Elaine Lung who will wow the participants with her "Improv to Improve Your Speaking Confidence."

If you are a club officer in District 101, please join us. Register: https://d101tm.org/tli/

Thank you to Raji Bandanapudi, District Director, Anna Garcia, Program Quality Director, and Wendy Fan, Club Growth Director.

Would you like to learn how to present without fear? Are you afraid to speak up in meetings?

Then you will want to Join our Open House Nov 3rd 12:00 at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, PH.
All are Welcome.
Questions: [email protected]

I’m so grateful to Meetings Group who eloquently produced in Denver.

Not only was the team efficient and supportive, but the entire event was so well executed. The AV team were world-class as was the customer service at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

I loved being able to meet and mingle with the attendees at the reception and the meals. Everyone was so friendly.

Finally, I deeply appreciate the support of the whole team.

leaders, how many times have you been in a meeting and you hear another conversation besides the presenter because the Zoom producer neglected to "mute all?" Or, when was the last time you presented and the zoom producer did not know to SPOTLIGHT you?

All of these questions and more will be addressed at National Speakers Association/Northern California Chapter ( ) next chapter meeting on June 1st 6:00 - 8:00 pm PT, when Executive Zoom Producer, Robbie Samuels, MSW 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🥐 will share

"Low-tech Solutions for Highly Engaging Zoom"

Robbie will share how to use the latest features and online facilitation techniques to structure your events, so everyone feels welcomed instead of merely invited.

Using purpose-first design creates sessions that move participants from inspiration to action. No more Zoom fatigue. No more death-by-Power Point.

If virtual programming is part of your business model, you cannot afford to use skills and settings stuck in 2020.

Key Takeaways
· Incorporate purpose-first design to create sessions with specific outcomes in mind.
· Enhance virtual presentations by utilizing improved online facilitation techniques.
· Create opportunities for ALL voices to be heard, not just the most privileged or experienced.
· Design breakout rooms that foster intentional engagement.
· Apply these online facilitation and event design concepts to any virtual platform.

Register now at https://www.NSANC..com & invite a friend.
First-timers to , DM me for a guest pass - [email protected]

WE RECORD EVERY MEETING! Register even if you're busy that night.

Las Juntas friends, please join National Speakers Association of Nor Cal on Saturday 5/20 9 am PT on Zoom for our Speaker Showcase. Several of our speakers are Toastmasters.
You'll hear 10 8-minute talks on a variety of topics.

DM me for a guest pass.

More info at: https://www.NSANC.org

Congrats to Samantha who gave an excellent keynote speech today titled "Implementing Change for a Healthier Happier Life". Las Juntas Toastmasters meets every Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm. We're a hybrid club so you have the option of meeting in-person or virtually on Zoom. Visitors are always welcome! https://lasjuntastm.toastmastersclubs.orgtoastmasters

I’m proud to announce the release of my 1st book, BANISH BURNOUT TOOLKIT. Learn more at: JaniceLitvin.com/book

So happy to share that my book, Banish Burnout Toolkit is now LIVE on Amazon. Thanks to my Las Juntas Toastmasters for helping me to reach this occasion.

Our friend Craig Harrison is speaking this Monday for our District. I recommend this presentation.

Achieving Your Bucket List Goals with Toastmasters as your Co-Pilot - Toastmasters District 57 Whether you’re newer to District 57 or a VTM (Veteran Toastmaster), virtually anything in your bucket list of goals is possible and Toastmasters can accelerate the conversion of your aspirations into achievements. Achieving Your Bucket List Goals with Toastmasters as your Co-Pilot Craig Harrison, ...

Where will you be on Monday 2/24 at 6 pm? Join me, Harrison, whuo spoke at our club, Rodney Suzuki & Dr. Allyson Mayo as we talk all about . Walnut Creek Library - Contra Costa County RSVP: [email protected]