It is July and the new Toastmasters year has begun. If you’re a Club Officer or a District Leader, you’re focusing on the success of the club and the District. But how about yourself? Are you focusing on your personal development?
When you ask people why they join Toastmasters, the top two answers is overcoming their fear of public speaking or they want to improve their communication and leadership skills. What are you doing to achieve this goal? As I learned from District Past District 30 Governor Joan Moore, “Plan the Work, Work the Plan”. Figure out your status, plan out on what you want to accomplish this year, always assess where you are at, then make adjustments.
Educational Level
Do you know what you have accomplished so far? If you are working on the Traditional Program of Toastmasters, what is your educational status? In Pathways Program, what Level have you completed? The best way to determine what you have completed is going to your Toastmasters profile (your name) in the Toastmasters website. Under Educational Awards, it will list what is the highest level you have completed. Knowing where you are in your education helps you plan on what to do next.
Plan the Work
Once you determine where you are at, decide on what you want accomplish for the year. If you are in the Traditional program, would you like to earn your Distinguished Toastmaster level? Are you close to achieving it and is it realistic? If you are in Pathways, would you like to finish a Level or more than one Level? Do the S.M.A.R.T. goal and determine when you can realistically finish a goal. Then plan out your calendar on accomplishing your speeches, projects, and even leadership roles (Club or District).
Check Your Work
Every month and at the end of the December, you should see how close you are from achieving your goal. If you scheduled yourself to give a speech at your club, did you complete it? As a Club Officer did you complete the necessary requirements for your office? When you are coaching a club, how close is the club from being Distinguished? Have they increased their membership? If you are mentoring a club, have you conducted the necessary training the club needs to succeed? If you are sponsoring a club, how close are they from chartering?
Work the Plan
If you are planning on completing your Advanced Communicator Gold, and noticed that you have only completed 3 of the 10 speeches, what will you need to do finish the other 7, as well as the other requirements? Level completion in Pathways requires completion of speeches and projects. Have you completed them? If you are 3 members short in achieving Distinguished status for the club you are coaching, what are you doing to gain those 3? Making adjustments helps you achieve your plan.
Recap!
Goal planning for yourself is not only great for your club, but it is also meeting your needs of being a better Toastmaster and improving yourself. Determine where you are at, plan your work, make adjustments, then achieve these goals.