Do you know of whom am I speaking? Maybe you thought of Pinocchio - the puppet who lied too much, got long nose from that and was so lazy that skipped the school? No. I am too serious man for this story. I want to share a story about Italian who used these tools and carved out a name for himself in the history.
Michelangelo Buonarroti is widely regarded as the most famous sculptor, painter, and architect of the Italian Renaissance. You all know his works as the "David" and "Pieta" statues and the Sistine Chapel frescoes. But I want to share some facts from his life which can be used as mottoes for Toastmasters.
1. Do it anyway.
It has become common practice when scientists try to interpret the characters of historical figures. Michelangelo is not the exception. Recent studies suggest that Michelangelo may have had mental disorder, or high-functioning autism. Scientists came to such conclusion because his reported single-minded work routine, unusual lifestyle, limited interests, and poor social skills. But I suppose such kinds of suggestions are just theories arrived at through pseudoscience.
Michelangelo paid little attention to anything but his work. He was stubborn, sometimes ill-tempered and not confident. He considered himself a failure - but then his goal was perfection, an impossible task for any man. He worked during all his long life for this goal achievement. He died at age 88. In his final days he spoke of how he regretted "dying just as I was beginning to learn the alphabet of my profession."
When Michelangelo unveiled the lofty fresco "Last Judgment" on the wall of the Sistine Chapel there was an immediate protest that the naked figures with genitals were inappropriate for so holy a place. The painter replied by inserting into the fresco a new description of his chief critic as a devil with donkey's ears. So as a most professional man Michelangelo replied through his work. Really the best way to get revenge is to stay supremely rational.
Michelangelo was also a recluse. He lived alone, was never married. He hated interacting with other people and would often walk away from idle talks. But his introversion helped him to work alone. For example, when he got commission for painting in Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo fired all of his assistants, whom he regarded as lazy and unfit this work, and completed the ceiling alone in 4 years.
2. Anything is not your trade until you try to do it.
Michelangelo saw himself as a sculptor but most people viewed him as an outstanding painter also. Pope Julius II gave him commission to carve statute "Moses". Buonarroti started this work but after full of angry debates with the Pope, he was finally persuaded to stop carving, and instead, paint the ceiling of the Popes' private chapel - the Sistine Chapel.
"Painting is not my trade," resisted Michelangelo. But he was deeply religious man. After consideration he agreed because through this work Michelangelo could depict the history of mankind from the creation of the universe to the birth of Christ.
After finishing this work Michelangelo was admitted as one of greatest painters of all times. His pictures have changed even the manner of drawing of Rafael.
Later on Buonarroti continued to work as an architect. He designed the Medici Chapel and the Laurentian Library. These buildings are considered a turning point in architectural history.
3. The secret of the perfect impromptu action lies on permanent exercise.
Just as Mozart could play again any music he had heard - so could Michelangelo perfectly repeat another artist's work from memory. He once said, "I never drew a line I didn't remember." The 400 figures in the Sistine Chapel fresco show the quality of his visual memory.
Fellow Toastmasters! I see Michelangelo's advice how to deliver impressive impromptu speeches. It sounds simple: be prepared!
Dear friends, as you see, we can learn much from Italian legend Michelangelo Buonarroti who was highly respected by all the people as the "father and master of all the arts". We are here to master the art of public speaking. Do public speaking, try new projects, improve your speaking skills, reach mastery in Toastmasters... and keep your chisel sharp.
If you want to master spoken English and learn the public speaking secrets, come to Kiev Toastcrackers Club! We meet on Wednesdays. For full details please see the link http://www.toastcrackers.kiev.ua/