Power of Five
How do you see yourself in five years time?
One of the job interview questions, isn't it. If you have prepared for that question, you can answer immediately. Otherwise, there will be a one minute of silence.
When we were kids, we were also asked by elders, "What would you like to be when you grow up?"
Do you remember the usual answers to this question?
I want to become a Doctor, I want to become a Teacher or I want to become a Policeman.
It's interesting that when we were young, we knew what and where we would like to be but it vanishes as we grow older. We just want to go with the flow.
To our TME, my fellow South Horizons toastmasters and welcomed guests, you will hear in the next 8 minutes the Power of Five - the benefits of having 5-year goals.
I never had a definite 5-year plan when I was growing up. When I was studying, I just wanted to receive my Diploma then to get a stable job and earn just enough to finance my family's needs. After graduation, I got a job. Since then, I work, work and work without any ambition at all. You know I didn't even think that I will work outside my home country.
My attitude of just going with the flow had changed when I came across the book of Jack Canfield, The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be?
In this book, he highlighted the benefits of Setting Goals
1. Setting goals gives Purpose to Your Life
2. Setting goals activates the Law of Attraction
3. Setting goals helps to create an Action Plan
In 2009, after I read the book, I set my 5-year goal, which is to write and publish my own book. It's been my desire to inspire many especially my family and friends so I thought that this book will be one of the ways to inspire others.
Then, to keep attracting my goal, I've been religiously writing blogs every single week. My intention is to pick articles from my blogs then compile and publish the book at some point in time.
Finally, to be on track in achieving my goals, I developed an Action Plan and baby steps. Actually, just last year I selected 10 of my blogs, compiled them and issued what I call a blog booklet.
And to attract it even more, I revived my Toastmaster's membership because it's my belief that best seller authors are also good in public speaking. In this way, I can promote my book well when the time comes.
Ladies and gentlemen, buy this book and you will discover more about your life.
It's so amazing that my mere purpose in joining Toastmasters was only for my book publishing but I am actually enjoying more the public speaking itself. In Toastmasters, I have developed my communication and leadership skills and apply at work and outside work, especially in our church back in the Philippines.
When I joined South Horizons in August 2012, I immediately subscribed to the Division HKG emails. Who also subscribed to that emails?
You might received as well an invitation for the workshop called Transformers. The workshops were delivered by Seasoned Toastmasters and Derek was one of them. I found it so informative and I told myself, "Hmmm, I will also organize a workshop and be the speaker.".
So, when I flew to the Philippines a month later, I brought with me the desire to conduct my first workshop.
In Division HKG workshop, as a participant, I paid a registration fee to the organizing committee. In the workshop in the Philippines, as organizer and a speaker, to attract many audiences, I paid them by giving away free snacks.
The workshop title was called Pangarap Ko sa Looan ng Limang Taon (My Dreams in 5-Years Time in English). This event was attended by different ages.
As expected, different goals from different age groups but I have found one common denominator amongst them.
One kid said, "I want to be a Doctor."
One youth said, "I want to finish my study and have a stable job."
And, a Senior Citizen, "I hope to have a longer life."
The kid wants to be a doctor to save lives. The youth wants to finish her studies and have a stable job to help her family and her relatives who are in need. The elderly wants to have a longer life to be available for her children and grandchildren and serve the church.
It made me more realized that it is very important that when we are setting our goals in life, we know our purpose.. The purpose not just to make ourselves happy but to help others and bring happiness to them.
To sum up, let us all revive our attitude when we were kids. We knew then what we would like to be when we grow up.
What and where you would like to be five years from now?
Are your goals self-satisfying or self-sacrificing?
I wish you all a happy and successful life and I'll see you again in my book launching.
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