Keys to Success

I’ve just finished the book “The Traveller’s Gift” by Andy Andrews. It’s an Excellent book! It’s written in an easy-to-read story-telling format and it contains jewels of wisdom. We are always seeking success and there are numerous books written on this topic. The author shares the 7 decisions that determine personal success :

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.

These 7 decisions can apply to all facets of our lives. Does this apply to Toastmasters? Absolutely!

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
   My progress in my public speaking and communication skills are strictly my responsibility. Stop blaming others or your circumstances.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
   As Toastmasters, we give constructive feedback to fellow Toastmasters. The new members are assigned mentors who can help them in their journey. There are many others we can seek advice from. I learn new things and new ways of using knowledge at every Toastmaster meeting. From Project Speeches to Language Evaluation, there are always new knowledge acquired. As to being a servant to others. My personal belief is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As a mentor, I am always very proud when my proteges attain their Competent Communicator status. It’s as though my own child has grown and I’m just proud of her achievements.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
   For the term 2008/2009, I came forward to serve as Area D3 Governor. I commit to help and coach the clubs under my care to achieve their goals.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
   I am definitely committed to the Toastmasters Movement. As I have benefitted, I seek to help others in their Toastmasters Journey. I have been blessed with assignments to share with students and parents on communication skills. Most assuredly, we will all improve in our communication skills and there will be better understanding.
5. Today I choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
   Come what may, I choose to be happy and grateful for what I have. I have been blessed with many gifts and how I must account for how I had used these gifts. Do I bury them? Am I complacent? The last thing I want is to be unteachable because that would mean the end of my progress.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
   Unforgiveness is like “cancer”, it eats into you. It will never affect the other person whom you are angry with. Very often, we cannot forgive others and even ourselves for making “stupid” mistakes. What is important is to forgive and move on.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.
   I have great faith that as each and every member persist in improving their public speaking and communication skills, they will achieve the goals they set out to achieve and the Club will likewise achieve it’s goals and the Area and the District.

I’m exhilarated (pronounced “Ig – z larated) to embark on my journey as the Area Governor for the term 2008/2009. I know that it will definitely be a year of GROWTH and SELF-DISCOVERY!