Most of our Toastmasters, have been there. You see your name in the agenda. It’s there in black and white. Whether you got it 10 days ahead or 2 days ahead, you nod confidently and say, “Yes, I’ll deliver my speech.”
And then… you don’t prepare. Will do it tomorrow, but Tomorrow Never Comes!
Instead, you arrive at the venue, park your car, or climb the stairs, and somewhere between driving to the meeting, the parking lot and the meeting hall, you quickly “mentally prepare” a speech. Then you walk up, open your mouth, and vomit the words out like a blender without a lid.
Congratulations my friend, you’ve just delivered a Parking Lot Speech. I know this because… guilty as charged. I’ve done it. In fact, I once strutted up proudly after rehearsing in my head for precisely two minutes and thirty-four seconds (while pretending to smile at the Sergeant-at-Arms). Then, I confidently delivered a speech that sounded less like inspiration and more like… leftovers!!!!
The audience looked at me like I had just read them my grocery list. And then came the truth bomb. A senior toastmaster, with the wisdom of Yoda and the bluntness of Gordon Ramsay, looked me in the eye and whispered:
“Ray, that was a Parking Lot Speech.”
I laughed, “Parking lot? As in… ?”
He shook his head. “No, as in you didn’t prepare. You just parked your brain, came in, threw out garbage, and left.”
Ouch.
That’s when it hit me: a Parking Lot Speech is the fast food of public speaking. Quick, greasy, easy to grab in a rush, but nobody leaves the room healthier, wiser, or inspired. Not even you. When we deliver Parking Lot Speeches, here’s what we’re really saying:
– “I don’t care about the audience.”
– “I don’t care about my reputation.”
– “I don’t care about the 7 minutes of life you’ll never get back.”
And if you think about it, that’s kind of cruel. Imagine someone lending you their ears, their attention, and their precious time… and you hand them a stale sandwich from the glove compartment. Since that day, I swore off Parking Lot Speeches. Sure, preparation takes longer. Sure, crafting a good speech sometimes feels like wrestling with a porcupine. But it’s worth it. Because when you finally step up to the stage with a well-prepared, thought-through message, you’re not just filling time, you’re giving a gift. Run your speeches with your mentors, practice them, days in advance. Prepare them whether you have a speaking slot or not. Today i keep on an average 2 speeches ready per month whether or not i have an opportunity to deliver them
So next time you’re tempted to prepare a speech as you walk in from the parking lot, remember: the parking lot is for cars, not for speeches.
