Welcome to 2015!
I am sure that many of our District 19 members have subscribed to the very popular tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. And, I’m sure that some of you may have already subscribed to the also very popular tradition of breaking those resolutions almost immediately. According to a January 2013 article in Forbes magazine, 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions but only 8% actually achieve them.
The article also provides some good tips for being successful at meeting your resolutions. But, before I lose you to the link, I want to make a few points about resolutions and how to make 2015 a great year for your Toastmasters experience.
I think that one reason that people are not successful in Toastmasters is because they approach it as a resolution, but forget about being resolute. According to my Google search, resolution is “a firm decision to do or not do something;” while resolute is “admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.” A resolution is to get your Advanced Leader Silver in 2015, while being resolute means that you stay true to your purpose of being a better communicator and leader.
I think the distinction I am trying to make is that we are given an opportunity every meeting and interaction in Toastmasters to demonstrate how resolute we are. If look at our clubs, our fellow members, and our District; we can say to ourselves, “am I being resolute? Am I being admirably purposeful in my interactions? Am I demonstrating the behavior I want to see by working out of manuals, serving admirably in an officer role or as a mentor, or offering to rebuild a struggling club.” If you approach as opportunities to demonstrate your resolve, you will grow as a leader. You will grow as a communicator. You will grow as a person.
The good news is a history of demonstrating resolve is how resolutions are achieved. If you work out of manuals, you will get that Competent Communicator for which you are striving. If you take on leadership positions, you will get your Advanced Leader Silver. If you have an open house at your club and put your resolve to work, you will get new members and be a distinguished club.
So, I hope many of you have set those goals for 2015. What is more, I hope that you are admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering in your commitment to being a better leader and communicator. When you put your resolve to work, you will grow and be a better leader than you were in 2014. You will get that $6 out of every month like I have been talking about.
As we start 2015, I would like to leave you with a quote from Ghandi, which I think summarizes what it means to be resolute.
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.”
Have a great, resolute 2015. Let me know how I can help.
-Mark