A speech wrote using the “Rule of Three” and delivered at a Toastmasters meeting Vancouver Canada.

ATM-B Speech, Speaking to Inform, The Abstract Speech (10-12 min)
“You have to have Goals”

 

Opening:

I had a friend just return from Hawaii and he shared with me The Hawaiian Top 10 Health Rules To Live By:

1. Never judge a day by the weather. (We need that attitude here in Vancouver don’t we?)
2. No rain-no rainbows.
3. Always tell the truth-there’s less to remember.
4. Speak softly and wear a loud shirt. (Sounds like a Hawaiian)
5. Goals are deceptive-the unaimed arrow never misses.
6. He who dies with the most toys- still dies.
7. Age is relative-when you’re over the hill, you pick up speed.
8. There are 2 ways to be rich-make more or desire less.
9. Beauty is internal-looks mean nothing.
10. The best things in life aren’t things.

There are some good rules in there, but #5 – the unaimed arrow never misses. Well it never hits anything either. People would you agree with this statement?

* In order for life to be rewarding and fulfilling it must have purpose and meaning * Would you agree with that? * To have purpose and meaning we must have direction.

Its not time or money we lack, its direction.

“One ship sails east one ship sails west regardless of the wind that blows. It is the set of the sail, not the gale that determines where we go”

“People you’ve got to have those goals”

Human beings are designed to be a goal striving machine and there is nothing more powerful than setting one clear and detailed in the garden of you mind.

 

Point 1 (Use over head and laser pointer)
The benefits of proper goal setting are simply amazing: Proper set goals will help you to:

• Goals clearly identify your targets.
• They prioritize your values and the important things in your life.
• They are the most effective time management tool known to man.
• Goals give purpose, meaning and direction.
• They get you focused and encourage discipline.
• They promote, motivation, excitement, perseverance & determination.
• They help build character, accountability, confidence & self esteem.

Look at those benefits, isn’t that incredible! , I want to hang out with positive, motivated, excited dreamers, planners and do’ers. There are 2 others. 2 biggies, not listed that seem to be a must for success are burning desire, its your passion. The stuff that gets you up early, keeps you up late and gets you over comes all obstacles.

The other is goals guide you to making good decisions. These are 2 more direct benefits of proper set goals. Amazing, exciting and motivating. That’s what I wish for you, excitement, motivation, passion.

Proper set goals is the set of your sail. People you have got to have those goals.

 

Point 2 (Use some thing personal here, TM success or Nicole)
I could talk to you about, Roger Banister breaking the 4 minute mile, Henry Ford producing the V-8 engine, Thomas Edison, Kernel Sanders, IBM. All seemingly impossible feats except overcome because of the goal these men had.

But I will share a story a little closer to home. Nicole is a elementary school teacher who after 15 years in the public school system felt she needed a career change. She attempted to change careers several times over a 5 year period with out much success. This was very discouraging and soon lead to depression where she ended up on a indefinite medical leave of absence from her teaching career. The school board appointed a few professionals to work her case. Along with her G. P. a counselor, a physiologist and psychiatrist after 18 months and not making much progress I suggested she let me coach her on setting her goals, a compelling future and she did. Well much to her surprise after a couple months Nicole had found herself with a whole new look toward her career and clarity as to where and what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Excited and motivated with her new attitude Nicole has said that these exercises have done more for her in 3 months than 18 months of work that the above 3 professionals.

People you have got to have those goals!

 

Point 3
I myself have a goal to be a good communicator and prosper in business and relationships which lead me to Toast Masters, you know my story, CTM in my first 3 months, 3 months off and my ATM-B is written and booked to be delivered at the end of this month.

Even a small study will reveal the 3 main reasons why people don’t set goals.
1) Importance, they are just not serious about having a better life.
2) Belief, they don’t believe in goals and/or themselves.
3) Fear of rejection or failure.

I have identified that at the core of these reasons is human pride; I believe this to be true because I saw it so clear in myself. My inability to admit that I had some deficiency or that I had messed up some area of life. It was my inability to look at the truth of my character and weakness. Pride is not good and I believe it is one of the main causes of breakdown in every human relationship. Pride had kept me from being humble and teachable for me to learn critical life skills. If you believe that proper set goals, clear direction is critical to your success then I challenge you to seek out the materials, there are many excellent programs on setting goals including my goal planner. Engage in the process for I can ensure you that the process is much harder in the mind than it is in reality and quite quickly you will see that the benefits from setting those goals and striving for them far exceeds the struggles that come from being average just making a living.

I want to say I know that not everybody is interested in change, many people are really happy, fulfilled in their career and their relationships. Not everybody wants to improve, stretch and try that hard and that’s okay. But why not? Why don’t we see what we can become, why don’t we see what all we can do and all you can have. – – – – – Why not you. You probably have the desire, most of the skills, and you live in a time of unprecedented opportunity. Why not you!

I am so passionate about this subject, and I believe it so deeply that I am trying to use the very best words and stories I can to pursuade you to set your goals.

In closing a little story to help me emphasize, Why?

 

THE CARPENTER
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good Worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked!! What a shame!! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

That’s why we should try hard, we get caught up in making a living we forget about all the choices we have for designing a life. “Life is a do-it-yourself project” someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow.

Build wisely and set those goals!