Useful for workplace morning meetings! Recommended topics and trivia you can use for a one-minute speech.
If you were told, “Please give a concise one-minute speech at the morning assembly,” what would you talk about?
It’d be best to choose a topic that benefits work or one that’s captivating enough to draw listeners in—something that will pique the audience’s interest.
And not just at work: even the principal’s speech—often said to be long-winded—could be something students look forward to if it’s concise and engaging.
So this time, we’ll introduce recommended topics and trivia perfect for a one-minute speech.
You won’t always know in advance when you’ll be asked to speak, so be sure to check these out for when the moment comes!
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Useful for workplace morning meetings! Recommended topics and trivia for a 1-minute speech (11–20)
Talk about trending sports
A wide variety of sports—starting with baseball and soccer—are played somewhere on a daily basis, and their results and developments often become topics of conversation.
Why not use these popular sports as a theme to spark discussion and raise everyone’s interest in what’s happening in society? If you move the conversation forward while touching on the history of each sport, people will better appreciate just how remarkable the current buzz really is.
If this leads to a broader interest in different sports, it could help expand the scope of conversation and provide a refreshing change of pace as well.
Is it okay to draw another omikuji?
The omikuji fortune slips that are indispensable for New Year’s shrine visits can make it feel like your entire year is decided by the fortune written on them.
But did you know that if you’re not satisfied with the result, it’s okay to draw another one? People tend to think it’s a one-shot deal, but there’s no rule on how many times you can draw, so it’s said there’s no problem with trying again until you get a result you’re happy with.
However, it’s considered more important to focus on the actual content written on the slip than on the label like “great blessing” or “curse.” So first and foremost, make sure to pay close attention to what it says.
Why doesn’t kombu release its umami broth while it’s still in the ocean?
Kombu dashi is delicious, isn’t it? That naturally raises the question: “Why doesn’t the ocean taste like dashi?” You can imagine various possibilities—maybe it doesn’t come out for some reason, or maybe it does but the ocean is so vast that we can’t tell.
The conclusion is that dashi does not leach out in the ocean.
That’s because kombu keeps its umami components locked inside while it’s alive.
In other words, if there were a large amount of dead kombu in seawater, then in theory the dashi would seep out.
Weather forecasts don’t say ‘nice weather.’
Our mood changes depending on the day’s weather, and everyone quietly hopes for their ideal conditions.
Did you know, however, that weather forecasts avoid using the phrase “nice weather”? The reason is that “nice” is ambiguous: clear skies might be good for some, while rain may be needed for crops—what’s “nice” differs from person to person.
For that reason, weather forecasts avoid terms like “nice,” which don’t necessarily apply to everyone, and instead convey the weather in concrete, specific terms.
Recent hobbies
If you really can’t think of anything to talk about, I recommend chatting about a recent hobby.
Anything goes—like “I watched a really interesting movie” or “I bought a new club.” Since it’s about something you enjoy, you’ll probably find it fun to talk about.
It might also help you discover colleagues who share the same interests.
If possible, try adding a little punchline at the end or tying it back to work.
That said, the most important thing is to just start the conversation casually.
Days when you shouldn’t do a thorough cleaning
As part of preparing to welcome the New Year, many people do a major house cleaning, but it’s common to hear that it doesn’t go as smoothly as hoped toward the end of the year.
Did you know there are certain days when you shouldn’t do this year-end deep cleaning? It’s considered best to avoid it on December 29 and 31, as well as during the first three days of January (January 1–3), known as “Sanganichi.” Since the New Year is the time to welcome the gods, the idea is that cleaning on days considered discourteous should be avoided.
Knowing that last-minute cleaning at the end of the year is frowned upon might motivate you to finish earlier.
Useful for workplace morning meetings! Recommended topics and trivia you can use for a 1-minute speech (21–30)
Statement of Determination
Making a declaration of resolve is one idea.
For example, “This week I will achieve XX at work,” or “I will obtain the XX certification.” Think about goals that suit you.
Even small things like “I will tidy up my desk” are fine.
The key is to convey a strong determination to achieve your goal.
Then, at the next morning meeting, how about talking about how it went as a result of your declaration? Of course, it’s wonderful if you achieved it, but it’s also perfectly fine if you didn’t.