Looking further back, there
have been many people within Toastmasters and outside our Organization who have given me the support and
inspiration to change a shy computer geek into a person willing to take on communication and leadership
challenges and look for new opportunities. To each and every one of you ... Thank you.
Many times we reach an accomplishment, then just sit there on our laurels. It is times like this we
must say to ourselves … But Wait …. There’s More. There is always more,
we just need to have the desire to believe in ourselves and to want ‘more’.
 |
Our theme for the
2004-05 year is
“There’s More”
There is more to TM,
there is more in life,
there is more to each of us. |
When I was running for Lt. Governor Marketing, one of my tenants was to have fun. I still believe we should have fun!
A few years back, Past District Governor Clyde Tally presented the theme “Seize the Moment”. He then asked the question “Why?” and we all responded “Because I’m worth it.”
This year we will have some fun with our theme. ... My job is to set up ... with “BUT WAIT!” your job is to respond “THERE’S MORE!”
So to take a liberty with another PDG theme “Together we will Succeed”… my apologies to Joe Zafian … together we will complete this speech.
When you achieve your CTM, ATM, even your DTM award I want first to congratulate yourself for attaining a well deserved recognition, then… take a breath, smile, then say to yourself … But Wait …. There’s More.
We will not grow, we will not lean, and we will not get better unless we challenge ourselves.
I remember not too long ago, a colleague of mine got an assignment. Instead of taking on the challenge, that person said, it was something that they were unfamiliar with, and it should be given to someone else. Our supervisor then turned to me and said, can you do it? I was in the same place professionally, and although I had little knowledge of the project or what needed to be done, I said yes. Later on, as I figured out what needed to be done, I saw something in the goals projected and had what many call an “AH-HA” moment. But since is my speech, it was … But Wait …. There’s More Moment. By making some changes I could deliver more than was originally was asked for. It was not a lot but the changes resulted in a very happy client.
Are there points in your professional or personal life when you are handed a challenge? Do back away? Or do you step up and say … But Wait …. There’s More.
Toastmasters offers many opportunities for the individual Toastmaster, with possibilities for growth on every level…the Club, the Area, the Division and the District. These opportunities are based on two basic premises … Growth and Education.
Some may think I am talking about personal growth. However, I am talking about growth of the Toastmasters organization and growth in our clubs.
Because we need this wonderful organization becoming stronger and more healthy, and offering us more, we need our clubs to grow with new members joining to give us new ideas and fresh evaluations to help us progress in our educational goals… how are going to succeed.
So as we go through the upcoming Toastmasters year, we should remind ourselves ...
There IS more to Toastmasters, (look to Toastmasters to offer you more opportunities to grow)
There IS more in our life, (look for it, embrace it, live it)
There IS more in YOU. (Each and every point in your life, when you meet a roadblock, you face a fear, and even when you reach the next level and it is time to move on) ...
Say to yourself ... But Wait ... There’s More! |
