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

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