Outline For Speech 3 in Toastmaster’s manual – Competent Communicator
In about an hour I’m giving my 3rd speech at Toastmasters. Admittedly I haven’t prepared as much as I’d like. Ironic as well since this speech is about procrastination. I think I’ve got it though. Wish me luck!
Do It Now!
I. Start off with Procrastinator joke
A. Intro – as we approach the new year time to think about resolutions
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. – John Lennon from “Beautiful Boy”
THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
B. Why do we procrastinate? Why do we put off goals like losing weight? Quitting smoking, Watching less TV, reading more? Learning a language? Laziness, lack of purpose, fear of failure, fear of success?
C. Procrastination holds us back from our full potential
II. First Step – Admit the opportunity
A. Admit you’re procrastinating.
B. Be aware and identify
C. How to identify? Cleaning, organizing your socks?, doing laundry? Seriously.
1. Are you working on what you set out to work on?
III. Do It Now
A. You may forget
B. Another task may come along that preempts
C. Have a sense of urgency – “Like your hair is on fire” – Seth Godin
D. Repeat to yourself: I do it now!
III. Write it down immediately
A. If you can’t do it immediately write it down
B. Follow up with the person when complete
1. Then he/she will know task is complete, how quickly you did it.
2. Tell story of former boss – “What did they say?” before you’d even done it. Imagine being able to answer!
IV. Start Small when starting it
A. 30 minute a day reading example
1. Same with exercise
B. Set a timer for the task – I’ll work for 15 minutes
V. Accountability
A. Get someone you trust to hold you to a deadline
B. Create a punishment / reward system. A trip. A dinner.
C. Pray – ask your Higher Power to give you the strength to take that first step
VI. Conclusion
A. Repeat Steps
1. Acknowledge the opportunity
2. Do It now – Don’t wait
3. Write it down
4. Start small
5. Get accountability
B. Procrastination robs us of living extraordinary lives!
C. Stop making plans and do it now!
How’d the speech go?
Thanks for asking. I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be. I had to glance at my notes a few times but that didn’t stop the speech or mess up my groove. It went very well. I was into it. It felt great.