Table Topics for January Toastmasters by Frank Schwall

Table Topics for Toastmasters International

By Frank Schwall

1.      “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson – What thing or things are you enthusiastic about in this coming year?

2.      “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” Ernest Hemmingway – What book or books are you wanting to read this year?

3.      “People never notice anything.” Holden Caulfield JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye – What are you going to do this year that people will notice?

4.      In the movie Forrest Gump – Forrest is talking about a stock investment his partner Lt. Dan suggested Forrest says “Lt. Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company called Apple. So then I got a call from him saying we don’t have to worry about money no more and I said that’s good – one less thing.” What do you not have to worry about in 2012?

5.      “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson – What kinds of things – hobbies, new approaches etc. are you going to experiment with this year?

6.      “There is no such thing as bragging. You are either lying or telling the truth.” Al Oliver – what accomplishment or accomplishments are you going to be bragging/telling the truth about this year?

7.      “You can observe a lot by watching.” Yogi Berra – What trends/people/bands/ are you going to be watching this year?

8.      “Can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty year old habits.” Andre Gide (French author) – What twenty year old habits do you still have?

9.      “One resolution I have made and try to keep is this. To rise above the little things.” John Burroughs (naturalist followed Thoreau) – What little things are you going to rise above this year?

10.  “The difference between involvement and commitment is like a ham and eggs breakfast. The Chicken was involved but the pig was committed.” Unknown – What are you committed to this year?

11.  “Happiness is good health and a bad memory.” Ingrid Bergman – What thing would you like to forget from 2011?

12.  “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” Dan Cook Washington DC sports writer - What in your life has been written off by others but is not over?