Monday, September 1, 2008

Tip of the Week: Setting Goals!

(courtesy Gary Jones, DTM, President, Grand River Toastmasters)

The Toastmaster year runs from July 1st till June 30th of each year. Each new Toastmaster year offers us the opportunity to sit down and do some thinking about what we'd like to accomplish in the coming 12 months. We can ask ourselves "What does my Toastmaster experience look like as of June 30th of the coming year"?

This is an opportunity to sit with our Mentor or another club member, establish speech goals and set other personal goals.

Ask yourself:

How many speeches will I complete by June 30th?
What roles will I commit to?
Will I organize a club event?
Will I attend other Toastmaster Club meetings?
Will I attend the Fall and / or Spring Conferences?
Will I compete in a Club contest?
Will I complete my CL manual?
Will I mentor a new Member?
Will I contribute to the Club Website?

It is possible to "Begin with the end in mind" as writer Stephen R. Covey suggests.

Once you establish these personal goals it is important to write them down. Share them with your Mentor and perhaps another club member. Submit these to the VP of Education so that the VP of Ed may schedule you as required to meet your goals.

This exercise in goal setting can be a useful system that not only enhances your Toastmaster experience but assists with goals outside of Toastmasters. If you have any questions about setting realistic achievable goals please meet with your Mentor or one of your Club Officers.

1 comment:

Mike Donlan said...

I'm not a member of your club, but I appreciate the tip. Another great book on goal setting is Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. It's a hokey name, but it's filled with priceless wisdom.