(Ctrl + Del + TOAST)
Coming from IT, I have a confession…
Whenever life freezes up, my instinct is to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
When I landed in Canada in September 2023 , I couldn’t find that magic keyboard shortcut! New country. New culture. New challenges.
Life needed a reboot!!! I had no contacts, and no friends here. That’s when I discovered Toastmasters.
For me, it wasn’t Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
It became Ctrl + Alt + TOAST.
And let me explain…
Ctrl — Control.
When you’re new, the first thing you try to gain is a sense of control — of your surroundings, your nerves, your words.
At Toastmasters, I learned to manage my anxiety and channel my energy.
Trust me, the first time I spoke at Toastmasters, my heart was beating faster than my Wi-Fi connection. Slowly, I found my footing and built confidence.
Alt — Alternate Paths.
Life doesn’t always go as planned. I spent years working in IT across the globe, but here in Canada my professional path hasn’t quite “booted up” yet.
Life here opened doors I hadn’t imagined. Competing in contests, pushing through the nerves, and making it all the way to Division level — that was one alternate path that stretched me. And now becoming an Area Director? Another one I never expected but I have embraced.
And then, beyond Toastmasters, I discovered ways to apply these skills — coaching Air Cadets in speaking and leadership, volunteering with NGOs, and teaching yoga and meditation. Each of these became alternate avenues of growth, all sparked by Toastmasters.
TOAST.
Now, let me raise my “TOAST” — not the bread kind — though I do love butter and jam…
This TOAST is my acronym of what I’ve learned from this institution called Toastmasters:
- T is for Trust. Trust the journey, trust the team, and above all, trust yourself.
- O is for Opportunities. From contests to leadership roles, Toastmasters gave me chances I never imagined. A feeling that YES, I CAN!!!.
- A is for Application. What we learn here applies everywhere — from leading NGOs to teaching yoga and meditation.
- S is for Support. Mentors, evaluators, and friends — the support system that makes growth possible.
- T is for Transformation. When I look back, I see how far I’ve come in just over a year. From being a newcomer looking for connection, to standing here today as your fellow Toastmaster and Area Director.
My IT career here in Canada may not yet have had its first “Toast,” but through Toastmasters, I’ve discovered new avenues of leadership, friendship, and personal growth.
So, I leave you with this thought:
Sometimes life requires a reboot. Sometimes it offers alternate paths. And if you’re lucky, it gives you something to toast.
Ctrl + Alt + TOAST — my reboot, my opportunities, my transformation.
And this is my toast to a new journey — one that I’m so grateful to share with all of you.
About the author:
Kannan Gopal began his Toastmasters journey at Mississauga Valley Toastmasters Club in Ontario, Canada. He is now part of the Comfortably Speaking Toastmasters Club and also the Area E04 Director in District 86. He volunteers as an Effective Speaking and Leadership coach for the 800 Black Forest Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets and serves as a leader at other volunteer organizations.
With a passion for storytelling, Kannan crafts speeches that weave life lessons, inspiration, and motivation into every message. His ability to connect with audiences through engaging narratives has shaped his growth as a speaker. This blog is his way of sharing one such realization, and trusting it will offer both insight and inspiration—a read worth your time.
Credits:
Picture: https://pixabay.com/
Written by Kannan Gopal,
Comfortably Speaking