Monday, September 26, 2011

The Longest Post I Ever Ever Ever Ever Ever Wrote

Greetings Happy People,

You can make yourself better or not. Don't worry about the how. JUST DO IT!!

That is all I have for you today. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The Power of Positive Proper Persistence

Greetings Happy People,

As I write to you today from the Casa de I-I-I, I have a valuable lesson to share with all of you that can be summed up in the following words,

The Power of Positive Proper Persistence Pays Off!!

I learned this lesson this past weekend when it came to my care of my automobile. I may have mentioned this before, but I really have to say that I am grateful for getting my car regularly maintained.

All those oil changes, battery checks, and tire inspections paid off in my latest adventure. Before I drove to the Central Valley section of California for two Toastmaster Division Contests, I wanted to make sure that everything was okay with my car. Luckily, there were no problems with it.

That Friday I drove my car to Hughson, California. It is a small town just miles outside of Modesto. To give you an understanding on how far is it between Las Vegas and Hughson, let me give you the following directions:

1. From Las Vegas, drive southbound on Interstate 15 until you get to Barstow (150 miles)

2. Get on the CA-58 West and drive until you get to Bakersfield. You will pass through Boron, Mojave, and Tehachapi (120 miles)

3. Get on CA-99 North and drive until you get to Turlock. You will pass through Delano, Tulare (where I stopped for gas), Visalia, Kingsburg, Fresno, Madera, Chowchilla, and Merced (about 200 miles)

4. Hop on some rural roads for a few more miles and you are in Hughson.

If my math is correct, the one way travel would add up to 470 miles!!

That's right!! Throughout the 7-hour drive, my car still ran well. After another stop in Fresno and the drive back to Vegas, it still held up very well.

Folks, that is a 940 mile, 14-hour round trip drive!! It goes to show you that proper maintenance on a vehicle does payoff in the long haul.

Now let's take this logic within the human body. If one takes care of the human body, it can not only endure through many conditions but perform well. Imagine if the human body gets properly checked, stayed away from too much eating (unless it's strawberries), avoid overly excessive drinking, and not doing lots of harmful drugs, chances are that the body will run for a very long time.

Now let's take this same logic with pets. If you take care of your dog, cat, or any other animal by feeding it and giving it love, it will give the same affection right back at you. If you mistreat your pet, guess what happens?

No matter what one does in life, the Power of Positive Proper Persistence Pays Off!!
Imagine if more people took responsibility for things in their life, chances are things would run much smoother than before. All it takes is for one to take care of the things that is held closely to the heart. Whether it is a car, an animal, or a human being, we all can benefit from the Power of Positive Proper Persistence.

It is can work for my car, it can work for anything!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Having a PLAN B!!

Greetings Happy People,

If you are organizing an Area, Division, or District Toastmasters Contest, and are worried about how things will go, I have the following story that took place in the Spring of 2006.

Back then, I served as a first-year Area Governor and was getting ready to host my Area level contest.

Two months earlier, I secured a venue to hold my contest. At that time I asked if someone was going to open the doors, they said that they scheduled “Sharon” to open the doors for me that day.

One month before the contest, I asked the same question, they gave the same answer.

As I did my own walkthrough the day before the contest, I asked the same people if “Sharon” was going to open the doors for me tomorrow at 3:00pm. They said no problem.

On the day of my contest, I encountered problems. It was Saturday afternoon. The outside temperature was 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The time was 3:00pm and “Sharon” did not show up to open the doors.

3:00pm became 3:30pm – no “Sharon” in sight.

3:30pm became 4:00pm – still no “Sharon” in sight.

4:00pm became 4:30pm – Sharon STILL has not arrived. At this time 40 people including myself were waiting out in the cold for her to open up the doors. It was at that point I decided to look for a PLAN B.

Fortunately, a friend of mine named Deecie offered her house to have the Area Contest. Making a BIG game time decision, I accepted the offer!!

As I was driving over to Deecie’s house, I was disheartened and disappointed with the people at the venue. I was going to feel hot-headed, but I was too cold to even do that. After all, I did stay outside in 40 degree weather for 90 minutes!!

When I got to Deecie’s house, I saw about 10 people at her place. But before I believe this contest was a complete disaster, 30 more people showed up!! These were the same people that waited in the cold with me at the other place.

Talk about your miraculous moment!!

Despite what was thrown at us, we STILL had a successful contest that day!!

This story is an example on how something can STILL turn out good, despite the odds.

How was the miracle pulled off? I had a PLAN B!! Imagine if I thought things in a one-track mind. I would have experienced disastrous results!!

It is always good to have a backup plan when things go awry. One of my favorite things to say is the following:

"If PLAN A doesn’t work, go for PLAN B up your sleeve. If PLAN B doesn’t work, go for PLAN C in your back pocket, If PLAN C doesn’t work, go for PLAN D in your shoe."

People with different game plans are more likely to get results done. No matter the situation, they always find a way to make things successful. They always find a way to get to their goals.

So if YOU are ready to get to where you want to go, make sure you have backup plans for your journey. It will come in handy in the long run!!

That is all I have for now. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I Am NOT The Best Toastmaster Around!!

Greetings Happy People,

Throughout the 87 years of existence, the millions of past members, and the thousands of current members all over the world, there has to be someone that is the best Toastmaster around.

There is someone with a greater passion to see people grow and become better communicators.

There is someone that has a greater knowledge on certain workings of the organization.

There is someone that has a greater integrity, committment, passion, and accountability.

Is it a World Champion of Public Speaking? Is it a Past International President? Or is it an Accredited Speaker? I don't know, but I know I am NOT the best Toastmaster around!!

There is someone that can lead more people to meetings and make them exciting.

There is someone that can be a leader so great, that crowds would flock to see this person.

There is someone that just visit more clubs that they can count.

There is someone that can reach the level of Distinguished Toastmaster, yet continue to grow through their own mistakes.

Is it someone that's been around for 30, 40, 50, or 60 years?? I don't know, but I am NOT the best Toastmaster around!!

There is someone that can balance this hobby with other things in life.

There is someone that greatly thinks and do for others in need.

There is someone that has the greater heart, soul, and desire that burns like the eternal fire.

Is it a new member, a Competent Communicator, or a Competent Leader? I don't know, but I am NOT the best Toastmaster around!!

Somewhere in the world, there is someone that fits this category better than me. Do you know who it is?

Could it be a fellow member? Could it be a inspirational speaker? Could it be an awesome leader?

Or could it be you??

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Saturday, September 3, 2011

What Is Your "STRETCH" Goal?

Greetings Happy People,

If I could pick one major thing I have learned from my role as District 33 Toastmasters Lt. Governor of Marketing last year, it was the concept of using stretch goals.

When I was at the Region II and X Mid-Year Training in Los Angeles last February, the stretch goal concept was introduced to me. What was it? Well, it involved having a personal goal that is above the "required" goal needed to be successful.

In Toastmasters, they require clubs, areas, divisions, and districts to reach certain goals to become Distinguished or better. These goals come in the forms of educational awards, memberships, and number of clubs. If these "required" goals are met, then Toastmasters honor the respective communities to be Distinguished.

As I look at the "required" goals this organization gave for my community, I kept asking myself if these are the goals we should shoot for? Somehow, I know that more could be done besides achieving the goals World Headquarters have given us.

Why settle for "required" when one can excel beyond it?

That is why if any Toastmaster asks me about the required goals they need to be Distinguished, I ask them what "their" goals are. If it is anything beyond what is required, then I will tell them to go for those stretch goals. If it is below the required, I would ask them "Why??"

Why settle for the average when one can be above average?

As the District 33 Lt. Governor of Education & Training, I choose to promote going beyond the goals given to communities. There may be some challenges along the way, but I know that if folks can target their stretch goals, they will be better off in the long run!!

For those non-Toastmasters that are reading this post, this same concept can be used in your everyday life.

Think about it. Wouldn't life be better if we shoot for greater goals than what someone requires us to do? Imagine going for that house, when one requires an apartment. Imagine going for 5 touchdowns when one asks for 3. Imagine wanting something better when one tells you to "just do this."

We have the ability to set goals for ourselves that are about the average. Only we can determine where and when to go. All one has to do is look at a goal given by someone and make that bar a little higher to stretch for.

If we can shoot for the moon and miss, at least we will be hanging with the stars.

What is your stretch goal and what are you going to do get there? The answer is up to you!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention!!

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Friday, September 2, 2011

Listening To The Inner Voice

Greetings Happy People,

It doesn't matter if it is located in your head, heart, or gut, it's okay to listen to your inner voice.

When you feel that something is not right, it's okay to listen to your inner voice.

If you have a certain passion, vision, or something else you want accomplished or shared, it's okay to listen to your inner voice.

One way or another, we all have that inner voice we listen to. It helps us make decisions. It helps us build a clearer conscious. It helps us become us. Without it, we can never be ourselves.

When it comes to critical decisions, I listen to my inner voice. Sometimes the outcome may not be what I want it to be. Other times, it can turn out the way I thought it would. On certain occassions, I second guess what it had to say. No matter what happens, I still listen to it. Most importantly, I make decisions from it.

Just when one thinks it can be escaped, it can't. Especially when it screams from the top of its lungs.

Each person has their own inner voice that they listen to. Whether they choose to listen to it or not, it's up to them.

Acting upon the message of the inner voice is a different story. When one acts behind the message, it can impact the lives of others - whether it is good or bad. Somehow, it can involves the world of many or a world of one.

Great inventions have been made from listening to inner voices. Terrible things were also created too. All I can hope is that the message and actions from my inner voice can make a good difference in one's life. This is one of many reasons why I write a status on Facebook, tweet on a Twitter page, or even write on the blog you are reading now!!

Most of what I do is based on the workings of my own inner voice. It may not be the best, but it is the best I can do. Why? Because I choose to listen.

If you have an inner voice, you may want to listen to it. You never know what differences it can make in your life and others. One can only hope that it is used for good.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

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