Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Haishuo’s 7 minutes to Basic Wine Tasting.
No matter what you are tasting, all the tasting skills are the same. There is an easy way to remember. Take a look at your face, from up to down, there are eyes, nose, and mouth. That’s the sequence you should employ in tasting, no matter you are tasting cheese, chocolate, or of course, wine. So how do you do that when it comes to wine-tasting?
First, you have to choose the right goblet. Different species of wine go with different kinds of goblets. The goblet is wide in the top to grant enough room for the fragrance and the aroma of wine to roam. Next, how to hold the bottle? There is a hole in the bottom, please insert your thumb and always show the wine label to the one that you are serving. Turn the bottle when you finish pouring out your wine.
Tasting begins. First, with your eyes. Tilt your goblet at 45 degree and see your wine against the light. It will be better if the background is white. I understand that there might not be whiteboards everywhere, but papers and tissues are easy to get. This is to make it easier for you to appreciate the color. There are few things there you are looking at in this phase. 1. The rim of the wine: the old and thin will be wide, and the new and thick will be narrow. 2. Wine legs: Shake your wines a bit and see the legs on the wall of the goblet, the thicker the wine is, the longer the legs will be. The material of the goblet will make a big difference, so make sure you use the same kind of goblet if you are comparing among different bottles.
Second, with your nose. Tilt your goblet and smell the wine from different parts of the goblet. Smell might change. There are professional categories for smell. The acronym is PSANDFF: plants (grass or mushroom), spices (rosemary and cinnamon), animal (leather and musk), nuts (almonds and hazelnuts), dried fruit (when it’s really sweet), flowers, and fruit (berries and citrus). However, please bear this in mind: you can always use any familiar smell that you have in your mind. There is no rule in this. The only skill you have to know is to recall the familiar smell that you have in your mind.
Last, with you mouth, the most important part of tasting. Don’t hurry to swallow your wine. Some wine-tasters may even gargle to allow the wine fully wander in their mouths. There are three phases. The first phase is called Attack Phase. There are four things that you have to pay attention to. In this level, you taste what the wine brings you up ahead. The acronym is SATA. They are Sugar level, Acidity, Tannin (Mouth-puckering), and Alcohol. The second phase is called evolution phase. The phase indicates the taste that the wine brings you on your palate. The most interesting part in this phase is that you may start to note some interesting smell that you are not unable to notice when you smell it with your nose. Some smells will come out and say hi. The last phase is called the finish. The phase starts when you swallow your wine. This is the best part of the wine tasting. Let all the taste on your tongue, palate and everywhere else come together for the orchestrated play, and you may close your eyes, shut down one sense to sharpen others, and allow it to wake your taste buds.
Ladies and gentlemen, drinking too much is definitely bad for your health, but a goblet a day is beneficial. Allow me to explain why Helen and Ben have their shares for today’s meeting. Helen’s birthday is 3 days later, July 24th. And Ben’s wedding anniversary is today. I would love to propose a toast and wish you Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary. Cheers! Toastmaster.
2009年8月9日 星期日
2009年7月18日 星期六
090718 Serving Your Higher Cause
Serving your Higher Cause
Haishuo Lee
If I could show you a simple way that you can keep yourself fully motivated for your whole officer term, would you be interested? Would you? Great!
The night when spring convention ended, I wrote letters to all friends that helped me along the way, especially previous 2008 world finalists. I was surprised to have so much of their help, and I truly appreciated what they did for a friend that had no more than a few email correspondences. Then something occurred to me. If they were all world finalists, and they were willing to help me revise my draft, I should send their email addresses to Judy and asked her to reach out for their help, in that way, Judy might have a better chance of winning on inter-district contest. So I did, and days ago, I had forward the mail to Alice.
Looking back, I knew why I did it. Not because I was noble, nor because I was humble, but because I was selfish. Why? Because I was serving my higher cause. Every time I was abroad and presented my research paper, I always put the map of Taiwan and its location in the world on my first slide. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t support nationalism, and I am not a racist. I am just really proud of being a Taiwanese, and I would love my audience to know the lovely country I am from. So what’s my higher cause? Yes, I want to glorify Taiwan on the international stage, and since this year I am not good enough, it will be great for me to help whoever is going. So that’s why I did it. I am serving my higher cause.
What’s a higher cause? Don’t ask me. I might not be able to provide your answer. Ask a parent who runs into the burning house; you have the answer “Children”. Ask a fireman who runs into the burning house; you have the answer “duty”. Ask a miser who runs into a burning house; you have the answer ”Money”. Ask a group people who sacrifice their Saturday afternoon for an excellent officer training; you have the answer “Toastmasters”! The very fact that you are sitting right here, right now, means that you love the club and you will be devoting to it, right? So, people do have different higher causes, and you have to know yours.
So what’s good about higher causes? One of the things you’re really going to love about higher cause is how much energy it can give you when you face challenges or problems. It’s the ultimate reason for your motivation. Imagine how good you feel when you know where you are going, why you are going and what keeps you going, isn’t that wonderful? What’s better is: you don’t have to go and search for it like a quest. It’s there, within your very own soul. The only thing you have to do is open up yourself, and honestly tell yourself what you really want and why you want it.
For example: How to identify your higher cause in Toastmaster? Ask yourself these questions: “What’s important for you in your club success, why are they important?” “Why did you take the challenge and devote your time and effort to be a club officer? What do you want to achieve, why?” You’ll know your higher cause as you answer yourself these questions. The sooner you identify it, the sooner you will turn your engine of dreams and passion to extreme power. The better you integrate every member’s higher cause, the stronger your club will be. I’m not telling you that your club will be a huge success in a blink, but let’s make this a beginning.
Now, I would love to serve my higher cause again. As a member in Toastmasters for 9 months up to now, the most surprising thing that I’ve ever heard is “Divisions can never cooperate really well as they have to compete at least twice a year”. It might be true, but I know that in the face of shared honor and glory, people always unite. For me, it’s not important that someone from any division win a district championship any year, what’s important is that someone from district 67 wins a trophy on the international stage and shows the world that people from Taiwan know how to speak. It’s really important, is it not? If we all help Alice, then we know we are standing together for our glory and honor. Does that seem fair and good enough? You might want to invite Alice to your club to practice or at least walk to her later and tell her how much you would love t o support her. So here is my plea. Let us all stand together; let us persist. Let us keep trying and improving, and one day we will show the world that even non-native speakers can be excellent speakers; and language barrier shall not be the barrier for great minds alike.
Our Division E governor Justin once told me, “When the world champion Jim Key attended the convention in Taiwan, he told us that ’Toastmasters speakers don’t say thank you when ending their speeches, because their speeches are gifts for their audience.’” Sincerely, I hope this one could be a gift for you, not only for Alice, but for all of you.” As you sit here, listening to me, you might want to let your partners know what your higher cause is, and how you want to achieve it. Why don’t you do that after the training or sometime in the near future, and make it a gift for your partners, members, and of course, your friends?
Haishuo Lee
If I could show you a simple way that you can keep yourself fully motivated for your whole officer term, would you be interested? Would you? Great!
The night when spring convention ended, I wrote letters to all friends that helped me along the way, especially previous 2008 world finalists. I was surprised to have so much of their help, and I truly appreciated what they did for a friend that had no more than a few email correspondences. Then something occurred to me. If they were all world finalists, and they were willing to help me revise my draft, I should send their email addresses to Judy and asked her to reach out for their help, in that way, Judy might have a better chance of winning on inter-district contest. So I did, and days ago, I had forward the mail to Alice.
Looking back, I knew why I did it. Not because I was noble, nor because I was humble, but because I was selfish. Why? Because I was serving my higher cause. Every time I was abroad and presented my research paper, I always put the map of Taiwan and its location in the world on my first slide. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t support nationalism, and I am not a racist. I am just really proud of being a Taiwanese, and I would love my audience to know the lovely country I am from. So what’s my higher cause? Yes, I want to glorify Taiwan on the international stage, and since this year I am not good enough, it will be great for me to help whoever is going. So that’s why I did it. I am serving my higher cause.
What’s a higher cause? Don’t ask me. I might not be able to provide your answer. Ask a parent who runs into the burning house; you have the answer “Children”. Ask a fireman who runs into the burning house; you have the answer “duty”. Ask a miser who runs into a burning house; you have the answer ”Money”. Ask a group people who sacrifice their Saturday afternoon for an excellent officer training; you have the answer “Toastmasters”! The very fact that you are sitting right here, right now, means that you love the club and you will be devoting to it, right? So, people do have different higher causes, and you have to know yours.
So what’s good about higher causes? One of the things you’re really going to love about higher cause is how much energy it can give you when you face challenges or problems. It’s the ultimate reason for your motivation. Imagine how good you feel when you know where you are going, why you are going and what keeps you going, isn’t that wonderful? What’s better is: you don’t have to go and search for it like a quest. It’s there, within your very own soul. The only thing you have to do is open up yourself, and honestly tell yourself what you really want and why you want it.
For example: How to identify your higher cause in Toastmaster? Ask yourself these questions: “What’s important for you in your club success, why are they important?” “Why did you take the challenge and devote your time and effort to be a club officer? What do you want to achieve, why?” You’ll know your higher cause as you answer yourself these questions. The sooner you identify it, the sooner you will turn your engine of dreams and passion to extreme power. The better you integrate every member’s higher cause, the stronger your club will be. I’m not telling you that your club will be a huge success in a blink, but let’s make this a beginning.
Now, I would love to serve my higher cause again. As a member in Toastmasters for 9 months up to now, the most surprising thing that I’ve ever heard is “Divisions can never cooperate really well as they have to compete at least twice a year”. It might be true, but I know that in the face of shared honor and glory, people always unite. For me, it’s not important that someone from any division win a district championship any year, what’s important is that someone from district 67 wins a trophy on the international stage and shows the world that people from Taiwan know how to speak. It’s really important, is it not? If we all help Alice, then we know we are standing together for our glory and honor. Does that seem fair and good enough? You might want to invite Alice to your club to practice or at least walk to her later and tell her how much you would love t o support her. So here is my plea. Let us all stand together; let us persist. Let us keep trying and improving, and one day we will show the world that even non-native speakers can be excellent speakers; and language barrier shall not be the barrier for great minds alike.
Our Division E governor Justin once told me, “When the world champion Jim Key attended the convention in Taiwan, he told us that ’Toastmasters speakers don’t say thank you when ending their speeches, because their speeches are gifts for their audience.’” Sincerely, I hope this one could be a gift for you, not only for Alice, but for all of you.” As you sit here, listening to me, you might want to let your partners know what your higher cause is, and how you want to achieve it. Why don’t you do that after the training or sometime in the near future, and make it a gift for your partners, members, and of course, your friends?
2009年6月16日 星期二
090616 Become Hsinchu Toastmaster VPE
20090616
I become Hsinchu Toastmaster Vice President of Education.
I will try my very best to fullfill everyone's potential.
Setting up goals and coach all of them.
Make all of them soar in the coming year. :)
I become Hsinchu Toastmaster Vice President of Education.
I will try my very best to fullfill everyone's potential.
Setting up goals and coach all of them.
Make all of them soar in the coming year. :)
C6 delivered on 090616
Evaluation by Brian:
1. Pause before deliver the speech, to get the ensure that your audience is concentrated on you. At the same time avoid rushing.
2. Maybe change the opening and offer more curiosity.
3. Try to conceal your smile. They are killers when you want to show sadness.
Language:
You don't say "offer companion"; you say "offer companionship."
----Script----
Today I want to tell a story about Paul, one of my best friends, who taught me the importance of offering companion to those that really matter to you in the last week of August, 2006.
August, 2006, in another long, hot summer afternoon, I heard my favorite ring tone ”Por Una Cabeza” (music). I took it, and there came my friend Austin’s voice. “Hey, Paul is dead. You know that?” “Stop kidding. This is not fun at all.” “No, I am serious. He is dead. He passed away this morning. He went to bed then never woke up. Just call his sister to make sure.” Ok, You wanna play. Let’s see. As his sister was my landlady one year ago, sure I had her number. In no time, I started calling. The first. There was no answer. The second, still no. The third, it went through. As I heard her voice on the other end, I knew it was real. She wasn’t crying. Her voice was not sad. It was…desperate. “Hi”; “So it’s real, huh.”; ”I see, when is the funeral?”; “September 1st, morning,
People say that the five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. To me the first stage was that afternoon. I called all the friends we both knew, hoping someone would wake me up from this nightmare. Maybe it’s a practical joke. Maybe by the day I arrived his funeral venue, he would simply jumped out from the coffin and shouted “surprise” with his mischievous smile. I meant that’s exact what he would do: setting up a party with all the details just for a birthday surprise. However, I did not get what I want from others. No. Either they have their days ruined by receiving the news from me, or confirmed the terrible news.
What happened next was even more dramatic 2 days before the funeral, I learned from the weather forecast that the strong typhoon, Bilis, was about to hit
That night, something happened. To tell the truth, I thought that wasn’t a dream, and I honestly hoped it wasn’t. I woke up and heard the wind and rain storming outside of my window. Paul was sitting on the edge of my bed. I was so happy to see him and shouted “Hey, so after all, you are still alive.” He smiled with profound sorrow, then shook his head. “So it’s real?” I was almost crying as he nodded. “Then will you be happy if I invite more friends to see you off?” He smiled, happily, then vanished. That’s the time that I was finally starting to believe all this. After all, you know, he told me in person.
On the day we met in the physical world again, he did not jump out from the coffin, shouting “surprise”. He was there, calm as always. Starting from that moment, I missed no important occasion of my great friends, as at least as I thought, he told me in person: he would be happy when we friends went and bid him farewell, wished him Godspeed. After all, maybe that’s what we really need in our life: companion from people that really matter to you. Yes, companion from people that really matter to you.
According to the Japanese Manga “One Piece”, the moment that people really pass away is when the world forgets them. In that definition, Paul still lives with me, every single day. Now the speech comes to the end, and I know my audience is going to clap their hands. This round of applause goes to you. Paul. May this round go to you.
2009年6月12日 星期五
To do list
1. Body Shape.
2. Pronunciation.
3. Preparation.
You win not because you are good, but because you pay more time and effort.
2. Pronunciation.
3. Preparation.
You win not because you are good, but because you pay more time and effort.
2009年6月2日 星期二
Toastmasters and Speaker Roles
June 2nd, 2009. Today I will be the Toastmaster of the meeting.
I was stopped from being toastmaster and the speaker at the same time for the worry of taking too many roles at the same time.
I thought I shuold be the one that knows the best how much I can take.
I mean, what I really want to say is this...
Only people who go to extremes get extreme results.
Extreme results are what I want; extremes are what I will do.
I was stopped from being toastmaster and the speaker at the same time for the worry of taking too many roles at the same time.
I thought I shuold be the one that knows the best how much I can take.
I mean, what I really want to say is this...
Only people who go to extremes get extreme results.
Extreme results are what I want; extremes are what I will do.
2009年5月26日 星期二
Evaluation Contest and Humorous speech contest
Fact:
1. Contest will be held in October, still 4 full months to go.
2. Haishuo will join both.
To do:
1. Finish a Script with purpose first.
2. Add humor.
Strategies:
1. For the prepared speech, be sure you find your personal speciality. The niche that no one can ever replace.
2. Evaluate every single speech in the following meeting as if you are assigned the job.
3. Evaluate your own speech every time after present it and have your evaluation script present on this blog.
4. Finish related modules and patterns of evaluation.
1. Contest will be held in October, still 4 full months to go.
2. Haishuo will join both.
To do:
1. Finish a Script with purpose first.
2. Add humor.
Strategies:
1. For the prepared speech, be sure you find your personal speciality. The niche that no one can ever replace.
2. Evaluate every single speech in the following meeting as if you are assigned the job.
3. Evaluate your own speech every time after present it and have your evaluation script present on this blog.
4. Finish related modules and patterns of evaluation.
2009年5月22日 星期五
090522 An Insight
Don't blame on others for not giving you the suggestions and comments that you need.
They have perfect rights to say whatever they would love to.
Don't blame on others for not pointing out your weakness and flaws.
They might do so for your own good.
If you still need others to improve, then you are the one that needs to reflect and repent.
Who grants you the right to rely on others for your improvements?
That will be highly irresponsible.
Haishuo.
Don't be a loser.
Be responsible for yourself.
You don't have the right to show the performance that's not up to your standard.
Remember.
Dream. Responsibility. Reputation.
They have perfect rights to say whatever they would love to.
Don't blame on others for not pointing out your weakness and flaws.
They might do so for your own good.
If you still need others to improve, then you are the one that needs to reflect and repent.
Who grants you the right to rely on others for your improvements?
That will be highly irresponsible.
Haishuo.
Don't be a loser.
Be responsible for yourself.
You don't have the right to show the performance that's not up to your standard.
Remember.
Dream. Responsibility. Reputation.
090522 Evaluation on C5
My C5 was evaluated by Justin Wu.
He made suggestions for better time control, clear message, main-purpose and practice more.
Yes, practice more.
I was really glad that he mentioned that to me after the meeting in private.
But to tell the truth, I would be happier if he blasted that out in his evaluation.
It's true that I didn't really practice that much on my C5.
After getting my script done, I had only practiced for 1.5 hours.
Indeed I had to practice more, and I was surely not satisfied with my performance.
To tell the truth, I had no specific purpose or message to deliver on that speech.
Or, maybe I should put it in this way:
My main purpose is to entertain my audience, and that's just what I really wanna do.
I should be myself. Do what I really want to do.
My C5 was an experiment, and the result was exactly what I expected.
I was wondering if I would still get that many praises and encouragements with poor performance.
The answer was yes, and that's not what it should be.
It was good for my self-esteem and proud, but not good for growth and improvement.
I am looking for a place where people will be devil's advocates to my performance.
I don't need that many encouragements.
That's why the time my pen wagging is always the time people talk about suggestions/improvements.
I should practice more, and show genuine improvements.
Am I good now? I might be.
However, if I do not excel myself, then I am nothing but a loser.
Don't be a loser. Haishuo! Outperform myself!
Am I doing something that even surprises myself?
Don't get up to the stage I you find my answers negative.
He made suggestions for better time control, clear message, main-purpose and practice more.
Yes, practice more.
I was really glad that he mentioned that to me after the meeting in private.
But to tell the truth, I would be happier if he blasted that out in his evaluation.
It's true that I didn't really practice that much on my C5.
After getting my script done, I had only practiced for 1.5 hours.
Indeed I had to practice more, and I was surely not satisfied with my performance.
To tell the truth, I had no specific purpose or message to deliver on that speech.
Or, maybe I should put it in this way:
My main purpose is to entertain my audience, and that's just what I really wanna do.
I should be myself. Do what I really want to do.
My C5 was an experiment, and the result was exactly what I expected.
I was wondering if I would still get that many praises and encouragements with poor performance.
The answer was yes, and that's not what it should be.
It was good for my self-esteem and proud, but not good for growth and improvement.
I am looking for a place where people will be devil's advocates to my performance.
I don't need that many encouragements.
That's why the time my pen wagging is always the time people talk about suggestions/improvements.
I should practice more, and show genuine improvements.
Am I good now? I might be.
However, if I do not excel myself, then I am nothing but a loser.
Don't be a loser. Haishuo! Outperform myself!
Am I doing something that even surprises myself?
Don't get up to the stage I you find my answers negative.
C5 delivered on 090519 script
Finally I can be here without talking about being Monk. I am going to share a real supernatural experience today. So if you want to take an early tea break. Please do.
September 2001, I was in a club which specialized in mountain-climbing and summer-camp organizing. My active and sometime hyper character made me president for event-organizing. At that time the whole club was trying to organize an event to welcome freshmen of the year. I had an inspiration. I took out a map and marked all the locations where people had ghost-spotting experience in these two universities, TsingHua and ChiaoTung. As I speculated, it could form a loop. The activity went like this. We put candles and a story on every stop that we would make. As we arrived, we lit up the candle, read the story, and let the audience feel the atmosphere for one to two minutes, blew out the candle, then left. We decided to hold this activity for two days in a row, so that more people may join.
The first day was quite a success. More than 30 people joined. We even had to split the group into two teams for better effect. Things were different on the second day. The sky was cloudy. The moon could only be seen from time to time. As we arrived the rally point for departure, we found there were only 8 freshmen students waiting for us. 8, that’s a small team. We decided to lead them with only 3 club members, Jack, John, and Roy. I took the lead, John by their side, and Jack took care of the back to ensure no one got lost.
Before I continue; another piece of information. According to the 8-character Chinese fortune-telling technique, every person has different weight of spirit. The scale goes from
We set forth from
Darkness fell around us, John led the team ahead. In no time I sensed something staring at me from behind. I tried to turn my head and found out, but I just couldn’t. The team was getting further, and I could only try to catch up. Suddenly, I felt something cold crawling up from my left leg, all the way up through my thigh, my back, to my shoulder. As it reached my shoulder, it became heavier and heavier, made each step of mine more and more difficult. I tried to turn my head, but again I couldn’t. I could only see a dark shadow lingering by my left shoulder with the corner of my eye. Until we approached the end of the path, suddenly, the weight was lifted. I turned my head, only seeing Jack’s blank look. He looked at me and said: “It’s gone, right?”
We finished the activity as soon as we can and rushed to the temple in front of ChiaoTung university. We could only exchange our experience after some cans of beer. However, we were even more scared after we shared our experience. For I felt it all the way up from my left side, and Jack was the opposite, the right. We concluded we might have run into something pretty tired and decided to crawl all the way up and rest between us for a while.
2009 Prepared speech contest: Question to ask yourself
感想那類的東西請到這邊
這篇是準備比賽時被提點的問題
這兩個問題是Jim Key問我的
1. If you had to sum up the message of your speech in one or two brief sentences, what would it be?
2. What will the audience be compelled to think, feel, or do differently after they've heard your speech?
這三個問題則是Jock Elliot在比賽之後問我的
這五個問題對我有很大的幫助
上面的兩個問題讓我重新思考了我演講的目的
也點出演講中最重要的重點：你想傳達什麼？
下面的三個問題則讓我調整了我的心態
這篇是準備比賽時被提點的問題
這兩個問題是Jim Key問我的
1. If you had to sum up the message of your speech in one or two brief sentences, what would it be?
2. What will the audience be compelled to think, feel, or do differently after they've heard your speech?
這三個問題則是Jock Elliot在比賽之後問我的
1. Were you happy with your speech and the way you delivered it?
2. Is this the highest level that you have achieved?
3. Was it a fair result in your opinion and the opinion of your friends?
這五個問題對我有很大的幫助
上面的兩個問題讓我重新思考了我演講的目的
也點出演講中最重要的重點：你想傳達什麼？
下面的三個問題則讓我調整了我的心態
2009 Prepared speech contest: script
The 11th Edition
小修正不成一版，大修正(改超過一百字以上)就另存新檔，大修正共十次。
Hoping for Uncertainty
- Haishuo Lee-
“Certainty is beautiful, (pause) but uncertainty is more beautiful still.” (pause) The quote was by 1996 Nobel Prize winner, the Polish poet, Wislawa Szymborska. I did not understand the meaning of it at that time, no, not until I fell into desperation from predicted certainty, and found hope again in future’s uncertainty.
Mr Contest Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, 2 years ago, I met an old, wise-looking man in my friends’ house. He said he was a Master of the ancient art of Chinese fortune telling, Chiwei. To my surprise, the Master began to state many secret facts about me. As I was still amazed, he offered to tell me more. So, I told him the exact date and time I was born, and he closed his eyes and started to calculate. Moments later, he frowned and muttered: “No good, no good.” I stared at him in nervous anticipation, receiving nothing but silence. Suddenly he opened his eyes and proclaimed with authority: “For the next thirteen years, your life will be miserable, you will fail at everything, and great misfortune will be yours.”
Desperately destroyed by his prediction, I began to shout, “What can I do?”, “What can I do?” Again he closed his eyes. Again the answer came. “To change your fateful fortune you must become a monk, in a temple, until you are forty. Then, great fortune will be yours.”
I could remember nothing later said on that day. The only thing that I could remember was: “be a monk”, “in the temple”, “until 40”. 27 to 40! They’re the golden years of my life. I should be making money, chasing girls, and starting a great family. But now, someone’s telling me to be a monk! Me, monk? NO!
I was preparing for my graduate school entrance exam back then, and his words certainly crushed my confidence. I went home about midnight with all those “being a monk” sentences echoing in my head. I could not fall asleep, let alone study. I dragged my tired body and mind to the living room, sitting on the sofa, turning on the TV, hoping to find some comfort. To my great surprise, I found the solution to my miserable fortune on television. Where did I find it? “HBO, your home movie theater.”
A movie called “Paycheck” was playing on HBO. It’s a story about a scientist inventing a machine that could foresee the future. There were some lines in the movie that truly blew my mind and shone a whole new light. They went: “Knowing future would take away all other possibilities. You may think it’s good in the beginning for it provides such a sense of security, but you are wrong. Because if there are no other possibilities, there is no hope, and hope, is what we humankind can truly rely on!”
Like the spring wind that gently replaces winter chill, those lines took away my desperation at the thought of finding myself trapped in the predicted certainty. I stood up from the sofa and looked out of the window. I saw lights from many buildings glimmering in the darkness of the night. There seemed to be so many uncertainties should I choose my own destiny, and face the possibility of failing at everything before forty. However, those lines reminded me: as there were possibilities, so was hope, and hope, would be what I can rely on!
Starting from the very next day, I studied in the library from 8 in the morning to 10 in the evening. 2 months later, I not only passed the graduate school entrance examination, I championed all test-takers. Starting from that moment, I lay the compass of my destiny not on others, but on my own hand. Step by step, my destiny has led me here today, heading toward higher dimension. Whatever the result is, it’s not failure nor desperation, but success and glory!
I am not saying that being a monk is bad. Some girls like bald men. (Pause) But it’s just not for me right now. I am not telling you that “HBO” can always give you the answer, because I may have become a monk if the movie I saw had been “7 years in Tibet”. When we set our goals and strive for them, somehow the light of hope shall lead us to good fortune. “Certainty is beautiful, but uncertainly is more beautiful still.” Why? Because in those uncertainties, we can still hold fast to hopes! Yes! Uncertainly is more beautiful! Join me in embracing uncertainty and meeting the challenges and opportunities of this unpredictable world. Contest chair!
小修正不成一版，大修正(改超過一百字以上)就另存新檔，大修正共十次。
Hoping for Uncertainty
- Haishuo Lee-
“Certainty is beautiful, (pause) but uncertainty is more beautiful still.” (pause) The quote was by 1996 Nobel Prize winner, the Polish poet, Wislawa Szymborska. I did not understand the meaning of it at that time, no, not until I fell into desperation from predicted certainty, and found hope again in future’s uncertainty.
Mr Contest Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, 2 years ago, I met an old, wise-looking man in my friends’ house. He said he was a Master of the ancient art of Chinese fortune telling, Chiwei. To my surprise, the Master began to state many secret facts about me. As I was still amazed, he offered to tell me more. So, I told him the exact date and time I was born, and he closed his eyes and started to calculate. Moments later, he frowned and muttered: “No good, no good.” I stared at him in nervous anticipation, receiving nothing but silence. Suddenly he opened his eyes and proclaimed with authority: “For the next thirteen years, your life will be miserable, you will fail at everything, and great misfortune will be yours.”
Desperately destroyed by his prediction, I began to shout, “What can I do?”, “What can I do?” Again he closed his eyes. Again the answer came. “To change your fateful fortune you must become a monk, in a temple, until you are forty. Then, great fortune will be yours.”
I could remember nothing later said on that day. The only thing that I could remember was: “be a monk”, “in the temple”, “until 40”. 27 to 40! They’re the golden years of my life. I should be making money, chasing girls, and starting a great family. But now, someone’s telling me to be a monk! Me, monk? NO!
I was preparing for my graduate school entrance exam back then, and his words certainly crushed my confidence. I went home about midnight with all those “being a monk” sentences echoing in my head. I could not fall asleep, let alone study. I dragged my tired body and mind to the living room, sitting on the sofa, turning on the TV, hoping to find some comfort. To my great surprise, I found the solution to my miserable fortune on television. Where did I find it? “HBO, your home movie theater.”
A movie called “Paycheck” was playing on HBO. It’s a story about a scientist inventing a machine that could foresee the future. There were some lines in the movie that truly blew my mind and shone a whole new light. They went: “Knowing future would take away all other possibilities. You may think it’s good in the beginning for it provides such a sense of security, but you are wrong. Because if there are no other possibilities, there is no hope, and hope, is what we humankind can truly rely on!”
Like the spring wind that gently replaces winter chill, those lines took away my desperation at the thought of finding myself trapped in the predicted certainty. I stood up from the sofa and looked out of the window. I saw lights from many buildings glimmering in the darkness of the night. There seemed to be so many uncertainties should I choose my own destiny, and face the possibility of failing at everything before forty. However, those lines reminded me: as there were possibilities, so was hope, and hope, would be what I can rely on!
Starting from the very next day, I studied in the library from 8 in the morning to 10 in the evening. 2 months later, I not only passed the graduate school entrance examination, I championed all test-takers. Starting from that moment, I lay the compass of my destiny not on others, but on my own hand. Step by step, my destiny has led me here today, heading toward higher dimension. Whatever the result is, it’s not failure nor desperation, but success and glory!
I am not saying that being a monk is bad. Some girls like bald men. (Pause) But it’s just not for me right now. I am not telling you that “HBO” can always give you the answer, because I may have become a monk if the movie I saw had been “7 years in Tibet”. When we set our goals and strive for them, somehow the light of hope shall lead us to good fortune. “Certainty is beautiful, but uncertainly is more beautiful still.” Why? Because in those uncertainties, we can still hold fast to hopes! Yes! Uncertainly is more beautiful! Join me in embracing uncertainty and meeting the challenges and opportunities of this unpredictable world. Contest chair!
2009年5月13日 星期三
090514 Lesson from Dwayne Smith: Bringing out the winner in you
First thing: Thanks for someone who invited him.
Think about the time that you win something: feel it.
How do you do? by learning. How do you learn? by doing.
When you want the attention: prepare gifts.
We all are natural born winners.
Children walk, stumble, and walk again.
Positive belief leads to positive results.
Winning is tough but it worth it.
Tiger Woods practices 14 hours a day.
Three things you have to give to win: time, effort, dedication
Two things to give up: comfort zone, idea that it's going to be easy
Never give up: trying, belief, yourself, what you are trying to do
Have small victories to have big ones.
Take small steps then big ones will come.
Taking part is already winning.
The value of failure:
Something doesn't go right: there is a lesson.
My reponsibility to see why it's not working.
To find the lesson within the failure.
Stop blaming on others.
Investigate what the problem is.
Look at inside, then you also find solutions and answers.
It's yourself that is holding everything back.
From how god let this happen
to how we let this happen
to how I let this happen
what could I have done better?
What did the winner do that was different and creative?
Do I really want this job?
Do I really want to win?
Look at all the opponenets, and find the opportunities to learn.
The one who adds that "extra" will win.
Loss=lesson
What did I do wrong, and what others did better?
Adversity=advantage
Always take action!
Free e-book: give evaluaitons to dgs@dwayne
(the power of concentration)
Think about the time that you win something: feel it.
How do you do? by learning. How do you learn? by doing.
When you want the attention: prepare gifts.
We all are natural born winners.
Children walk, stumble, and walk again.
Positive belief leads to positive results.
Winning is tough but it worth it.
Tiger Woods practices 14 hours a day.
Three things you have to give to win: time, effort, dedication
Two things to give up: comfort zone, idea that it's going to be easy
Never give up: trying, belief, yourself, what you are trying to do
Have small victories to have big ones.
Take small steps then big ones will come.
Taking part is already winning.
The value of failure:
Something doesn't go right: there is a lesson.
My reponsibility to see why it's not working.
To find the lesson within the failure.
Stop blaming on others.
Investigate what the problem is.
Look at inside, then you also find solutions and answers.
It's yourself that is holding everything back.
From how god let this happen
to how we let this happen
to how I let this happen
what could I have done better?
What did the winner do that was different and creative?
Do I really want this job?
Do I really want to win?
Look at all the opponenets, and find the opportunities to learn.
The one who adds that "extra" will win.
Loss=lesson
What did I do wrong, and what others did better?
Adversity=advantage
Always take action!
Free e-book: give evaluaitons to dgs@dwayne
(the power of concentration)
2009年3月17日 星期二
090317 Feedback for prepared speech
Jenny:
1. Take away the "plot" part. eliminate the "I don't want to deprive you the joy of..."
2. For the movie,take away the "Texas chainsaw massacre", replace with sth more relate to "Monk": ex. 7 years in Tibet, Bulletproof Monk.
Ben:
1. Pause before start to play the fortune telling part to attract audience's attention.
2. When playing the fortune telling part, say everything slower and clearer to ensure that everyone can hear you.
Omega:
1. Dress formally in the contest.
2. Practice more. Need to make it more fluent.
Anne and Hollie:
Deliver your speech in front of other audience other than TM members.
Helen:
Add more impact and slow down/enlarge your gestures.
1. Take away the "plot" part. eliminate the "I don't want to deprive you the joy of..."
2. For the movie,take away the "Texas chainsaw massacre", replace with sth more relate to "Monk": ex. 7 years in Tibet, Bulletproof Monk.
Ben:
1. Pause before start to play the fortune telling part to attract audience's attention.
2. When playing the fortune telling part, say everything slower and clearer to ensure that everyone can hear you.
Omega:
1. Dress formally in the contest.
2. Practice more. Need to make it more fluent.
Anne and Hollie:
Deliver your speech in front of other audience other than TM members.
Helen:
Add more impact and slow down/enlarge your gestures.
2009年3月3日 星期二
090303Prepared speech script: Uncertainty is certainly more beautiful
Do you believe in fate? Are you a person that would always consult fortune teller or tarot card before making any major decision? I was, but I am not now. That’s the story that I wanted to share with you today, a story about how I regain full control of my life.
2 years ago, I met an old man in my friend’s place. He was about 60 and claimed that he could foresee others’ future using Chiwei, which is the ancient Chinese fortune telling technique. He invited me to his place and promised me that he would offer his service free. I happily accepted his invitation, after all, who is not interested in knowing his own future? In two days, I was in his place. He brewed some tea. I told him the exact time I was born, and he closed his eyes and started to calculate. Moments later, he frowned and started to whisper: “No good, no good.” I was so nervous that I could only stared at him, waiting for any words that he would utter, but the only thing I could get was dead silence. Finally, he spoke again: “your destiny would be miserable for the next thirteen years, you could never succeed in all the things you tried, and great misfortunes would be yours.”
I was totally frightened by the words he said, and kept asking him “What should I do? Is there any possibilities for me to evade those misfortunes?” He closed his eyes for another while, and slowly gave me another unacceptable answer: “Yes, the only solution that you could try is to be a monk until you are 40, then you can return to the outside world again. By that time, great chances would be yours.”
I could remember nothing later said on that day. The only thing that came to my mind was that I had to be a monk until I was 40. 27 to 40, my god! That was the golden age of my life. I should be earning money, going around the world, finding my soul mate and starting up a great family. But now, someone was telling me to be a monk? Me, monk? NO!
I was preparing my graduate school entrance exam back then, and his words certainly crushed my confidence. I went home about midnight with all those “being a monk” sentences haunting in my head. I could not fall asleep, let alone study. I dragged my tired body and mind to the living room, turn on the TV and hoped to find some comforts or pressure outlets. To my great surprise, I did find the solution that I wanted to my miserable fortune. Where did I find it? “HBO”
It was playing a movie called “Paycheck”. It’s a story about a scientist inventing a machine that could foresee future, and later decided to destroy it. Why? I am not going to reveal the plot to deprive your pleasure in watching that movie. But I would love to share a line in the movie that truly blew my mind. “Knowing future would take away all the other possibilities. You may think it’s good for it provides security, but you are wrong. Because if there is no other possibilities, there is no hope, and hope, is what we humankind can truly rely on!”
Yes! Hope is what we can truly rely on! The Little hobbies in Lord of the Rings fight against the great evil of Lord Sauron for they have hope and decided to give it a try. Americans believe changes are possible and made their 44th presidential election a milestone in the history. We, believe in hope. So even now it seems like thousands of Pandora’s boxes are opened and still opening, we look up and never give up, and hope the next season would be another economic spring.
What happened next? I threw away those monk curses and started to study as hard as I can every single day. Two months later, I passed the graduate school entrance exam, first place. Now, I am a national university researcher, going to present another accepted paper in Mexico this April.
So what do I really want to tell you? I am not saying that being a monk is bad. I have lots of monk friends. It’s just not for me. I am not telling you that “HBO” can always give you the answer, because I may really be a monk if the movie was Texas chainsaw massacre. What I really want to tell you is: as the Nobel prize winner poet Wislawa Szymborska put it: “Certainty is beautiful, but uncertainly is more beautiful still.” Yes! Uncertainly is certainly more beautiful still. Why? Because in those uncertainties, we can still hold fast to hopes!
Thank you! Toastmaster.
2 years ago, I met an old man in my friend’s place. He was about 60 and claimed that he could foresee others’ future using Chiwei, which is the ancient Chinese fortune telling technique. He invited me to his place and promised me that he would offer his service free. I happily accepted his invitation, after all, who is not interested in knowing his own future? In two days, I was in his place. He brewed some tea. I told him the exact time I was born, and he closed his eyes and started to calculate. Moments later, he frowned and started to whisper: “No good, no good.” I was so nervous that I could only stared at him, waiting for any words that he would utter, but the only thing I could get was dead silence. Finally, he spoke again: “your destiny would be miserable for the next thirteen years, you could never succeed in all the things you tried, and great misfortunes would be yours.”
I was totally frightened by the words he said, and kept asking him “What should I do? Is there any possibilities for me to evade those misfortunes?” He closed his eyes for another while, and slowly gave me another unacceptable answer: “Yes, the only solution that you could try is to be a monk until you are 40, then you can return to the outside world again. By that time, great chances would be yours.”
I could remember nothing later said on that day. The only thing that came to my mind was that I had to be a monk until I was 40. 27 to 40, my god! That was the golden age of my life. I should be earning money, going around the world, finding my soul mate and starting up a great family. But now, someone was telling me to be a monk? Me, monk? NO!
I was preparing my graduate school entrance exam back then, and his words certainly crushed my confidence. I went home about midnight with all those “being a monk” sentences haunting in my head. I could not fall asleep, let alone study. I dragged my tired body and mind to the living room, turn on the TV and hoped to find some comforts or pressure outlets. To my great surprise, I did find the solution that I wanted to my miserable fortune. Where did I find it? “HBO”
It was playing a movie called “Paycheck”. It’s a story about a scientist inventing a machine that could foresee future, and later decided to destroy it. Why? I am not going to reveal the plot to deprive your pleasure in watching that movie. But I would love to share a line in the movie that truly blew my mind. “Knowing future would take away all the other possibilities. You may think it’s good for it provides security, but you are wrong. Because if there is no other possibilities, there is no hope, and hope, is what we humankind can truly rely on!”
Yes! Hope is what we can truly rely on! The Little hobbies in Lord of the Rings fight against the great evil of Lord Sauron for they have hope and decided to give it a try. Americans believe changes are possible and made their 44th presidential election a milestone in the history. We, believe in hope. So even now it seems like thousands of Pandora’s boxes are opened and still opening, we look up and never give up, and hope the next season would be another economic spring.
What happened next? I threw away those monk curses and started to study as hard as I can every single day. Two months later, I passed the graduate school entrance exam, first place. Now, I am a national university researcher, going to present another accepted paper in Mexico this April.
So what do I really want to tell you? I am not saying that being a monk is bad. I have lots of monk friends. It’s just not for me. I am not telling you that “HBO” can always give you the answer, because I may really be a monk if the movie was Texas chainsaw massacre. What I really want to tell you is: as the Nobel prize winner poet Wislawa Szymborska put it: “Certainty is beautiful, but uncertainly is more beautiful still.” Yes! Uncertainly is certainly more beautiful still. Why? Because in those uncertainties, we can still hold fast to hopes!
Thank you! Toastmaster.
090303 Prepared and table-topic speech contest
Few things to say. :)
1. If I were the judge, I would also definitely give the first prize to Helen. Actually, I think I would get the third or fourth. She is such a great speaker, and my heart is full of sorrow to know that she might leave soon. If there is something I can change, this is it. Helen, I want to to stay with us. (Helen, if you are watching this, please note that there are also many places in Taiwan where trees can be grown.)
2. There are too many feelings in my heart, but above happiness and excitement, I am pretty much dominated by my sense of responsibility. Hsinchu club, I would definitely fight for you. I will.
3. Practice more in these days. Roy. You can do better, and you should practice more to honor yourself and your contestants.
Fight! Fight to the last moment.
For those who you love and care, and for those encouragements you get.
For those smiley faces you remember, for those warm hands you hold.
For those cheers you get, for those precious suggestions that help you improve.
For HCTM, man, you gotta fight, til' the last moment.
Fight! Fight I will!
1. If I were the judge, I would also definitely give the first prize to Helen. Actually, I think I would get the third or fourth. She is such a great speaker, and my heart is full of sorrow to know that she might leave soon. If there is something I can change, this is it. Helen, I want to to stay with us. (Helen, if you are watching this, please note that there are also many places in Taiwan where trees can be grown.)
2. There are too many feelings in my heart, but above happiness and excitement, I am pretty much dominated by my sense of responsibility. Hsinchu club, I would definitely fight for you. I will.
3. Practice more in these days. Roy. You can do better, and you should practice more to honor yourself and your contestants.
Fight! Fight to the last moment.
For those who you love and care, and for those encouragements you get.
For those smiley faces you remember, for those warm hands you hold.
For those cheers you get, for those precious suggestions that help you improve.
For HCTM, man, you gotta fight, til' the last moment.
Fight! Fight I will!
2009年2月17日 星期二
090217 GeneralEvaluator
GE
1. Should mention those who are over their time.
2. Dress nicer.
3. Be careful when you introdice others, you may think it's funny to say so, they might not think so. Would be better to reconfirm with them or maybe tell them at the very beginning that it's gonna be their introduction.
Keep up, and stay after the meeting.
Roy, you really don't need to rush back.
1. Should mention those who are over their time.
2. Dress nicer.
3. Be careful when you introdice others, you may think it's funny to say so, they might not think so. Would be better to reconfirm with them or maybe tell them at the very beginning that it's gonna be their introduction.
Keep up, and stay after the meeting.
Roy, you really don't need to rush back.
2009年2月3日 星期二
C3: Get to the point.
Received suggestions:
Special thanks to Mandy for her great suggestions. :)
Mandy:
Here are two of my humble suggestions for your reference. First of all, I think it's better to say "Toastmaster." instead of "Thank you." in the end of the speech because it's you that are to be thanked by the audience for you give them such a wonderful speech. Secondly, I suggest you explain it more detailedly how to put this simple but powerful life philosophy into practice in the daily life because you can't expect everyone exactly get your point. They might not fully understand what the true meaning of this saying is. You'd better get them an example and make it even clearer.
Chang:
Cause deeds speak louder than words, we need more results to convince the audience the power of the philosophy, except for passing entrance exams and delivering speeches.
Ben:
Need to improve speech writing.
Try to paraphrase the sentences and try to shorten the article.
Need to hone writing skills and make the article more consice and punchy.
----Script----
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Today I would love to talk about the most important philosophy of life I learned from my father that has brought me all the way to where I am today. From a suburb farming-county boy to national college researcher is certainly no way short. What is that? “Focus on solution; not problem.” Looking back, I would say that’s the most vital life-supporting concept I learned from my father.
When I was in junior high, things were very different from what I am now. People say that adolescence brings wildness and rebellion. That’s certainly true to me. My mother was a teacher in my junior high school, and as the place where I lived was a pretty small town, it’s natural that she knew almost all the teachers in my elementary school, too. All those rules, disciplines, regulations, and supervision all escalated to a tide, pushed me all the way to the border of extreme insanity. I stole things in stores and almost got sent to the police station, rode with my friends on burning wheels through those nights of summer sweats and winter chills, and cheated in almost all the exams and slept through most classes.
Those days were like dreams in the night. Dreams, however, being good ones or nightmares, would vanish as daybreak shines the earth again. To me, the daybreak came at the last moment, not too soon, not too late, exactly in the last semester in my junior high.
It was another ordinary day of boring school, but as I got home, there was something strange. I saw my mother sitting on the sofa crying. Seeing tears on my mother’s face was a common scene back then, but that day was different. Even when I was on the third floor, it seemed to me that I could sense her tears dripping down her cheeks on the first floor. Her sobbing sounded so sad and desperate that I found it impossible to ignore. Not knowing what to do and say, I kept waiting until my father came back from work. After a while, I heard footsteps coming up through the stairs. I was so eager to know what happened to my mom even it might be the severest punishment or scolding that awaited me. Things turned out to be that she overheard some teachers discussing their sons and daughters after school. They mocked me for they think I could never make it in senior high entrance exam. All the pressure and worries for my mom in those years erupted on that day, breaking her down, and surely I was to blame.
Strange enough, my father did not scold me again. He just sat down on another desk and started writing something. I was so afraid that I could only wait there, holding the textbook in my hand without being able to read anything in. Few minutes later, he put something on my desk and walked down the stairs. It was a beautifully calligraphed letter. It said: “My son. Those who succeed find solutions; those who fail find excuses. The key to success is not luck, nor talent, but ambitions. Those who want to succeed would collect all accessible resources, use all possible means, and show undefeatable determination. Set up your goals and follow it closely, you’ll be on your way to success. By your father.”
That surely wasn’t a long letter, but that was the first time I was convinced that small and simple things could also have great power. Just like the plot you may have watched or read on TV or in novel, I changed on the very evening. One thing was different from those soap operas’ storylines: things didn’t go too smooth for me at once. Wasted time left a giant gap of knowledge for me to fill in, and I have to work really hard to make it up. Not having confidence in myself at all, I kept asking my father everyday what I should do should I fail. After having done so for a few times, I was invited me to sit with him. He said: “It’s very natural to be nervous and anxious especially when the future seems so uncertain. However, instead of using your time on thinking about what you should do after you fail, I would suggest you use you time to study more and get more scores. Focus on solutions; not problem. We will discuss when you get your final result. Okay?”
It may sound small and simple, but as I said before, small and simple things could also have great power. From that moment, whenever I face challenges, like any big exams or standing up on the stage and deliver speeches, I stopped all my worries and anxiety, and only focused on what I want to happen. I believe in this era of turbulence, we are all facing different challenges in various aspects, at many times. It’s my sincere wish that we can all try to focus on solutions, not problems. Give it a try! It helped me turn a whole new leaf a decade ago, and now, I know it could help us to pave another grand new path. Ladies and gentlemen, when facing unknown challenges and uncertain future, let’s focus on solutions, not problem. Thank you!
Special thanks to Mandy for her great suggestions. :)
Mandy:
Here are two of my humble suggestions for your reference. First of all, I think it's better to say "Toastmaster." instead of "Thank you." in the end of the speech because it's you that are to be thanked by the audience for you give them such a wonderful speech. Secondly, I suggest you explain it more detailedly how to put this simple but powerful life philosophy into practice in the daily life because you can't expect everyone exactly get your point. They might not fully understand what the true meaning of this saying is. You'd better get them an example and make it even clearer.
Chang:
Cause deeds speak louder than words, we need more results to convince the audience the power of the philosophy, except for passing entrance exams and delivering speeches.
Ben:
Need to improve speech writing.
Try to paraphrase the sentences and try to shorten the article.
Need to hone writing skills and make the article more consice and punchy.
----Script----
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Today I would love to talk about the most important philosophy of life I learned from my father that has brought me all the way to where I am today. From a suburb farming-county boy to national college researcher is certainly no way short. What is that? “Focus on solution; not problem.” Looking back, I would say that’s the most vital life-supporting concept I learned from my father.
When I was in junior high, things were very different from what I am now. People say that adolescence brings wildness and rebellion. That’s certainly true to me. My mother was a teacher in my junior high school, and as the place where I lived was a pretty small town, it’s natural that she knew almost all the teachers in my elementary school, too. All those rules, disciplines, regulations, and supervision all escalated to a tide, pushed me all the way to the border of extreme insanity. I stole things in stores and almost got sent to the police station, rode with my friends on burning wheels through those nights of summer sweats and winter chills, and cheated in almost all the exams and slept through most classes.
Those days were like dreams in the night. Dreams, however, being good ones or nightmares, would vanish as daybreak shines the earth again. To me, the daybreak came at the last moment, not too soon, not too late, exactly in the last semester in my junior high.
It was another ordinary day of boring school, but as I got home, there was something strange. I saw my mother sitting on the sofa crying. Seeing tears on my mother’s face was a common scene back then, but that day was different. Even when I was on the third floor, it seemed to me that I could sense her tears dripping down her cheeks on the first floor. Her sobbing sounded so sad and desperate that I found it impossible to ignore. Not knowing what to do and say, I kept waiting until my father came back from work. After a while, I heard footsteps coming up through the stairs. I was so eager to know what happened to my mom even it might be the severest punishment or scolding that awaited me. Things turned out to be that she overheard some teachers discussing their sons and daughters after school. They mocked me for they think I could never make it in senior high entrance exam. All the pressure and worries for my mom in those years erupted on that day, breaking her down, and surely I was to blame.
Strange enough, my father did not scold me again. He just sat down on another desk and started writing something. I was so afraid that I could only wait there, holding the textbook in my hand without being able to read anything in. Few minutes later, he put something on my desk and walked down the stairs. It was a beautifully calligraphed letter. It said: “My son. Those who succeed find solutions; those who fail find excuses. The key to success is not luck, nor talent, but ambitions. Those who want to succeed would collect all accessible resources, use all possible means, and show undefeatable determination. Set up your goals and follow it closely, you’ll be on your way to success. By your father.”
That surely wasn’t a long letter, but that was the first time I was convinced that small and simple things could also have great power. Just like the plot you may have watched or read on TV or in novel, I changed on the very evening. One thing was different from those soap operas’ storylines: things didn’t go too smooth for me at once. Wasted time left a giant gap of knowledge for me to fill in, and I have to work really hard to make it up. Not having confidence in myself at all, I kept asking my father everyday what I should do should I fail. After having done so for a few times, I was invited me to sit with him. He said: “It’s very natural to be nervous and anxious especially when the future seems so uncertain. However, instead of using your time on thinking about what you should do after you fail, I would suggest you use you time to study more and get more scores. Focus on solutions; not problem. We will discuss when you get your final result. Okay?”
It may sound small and simple, but as I said before, small and simple things could also have great power. From that moment, whenever I face challenges, like any big exams or standing up on the stage and deliver speeches, I stopped all my worries and anxiety, and only focused on what I want to happen. I believe in this era of turbulence, we are all facing different challenges in various aspects, at many times. It’s my sincere wish that we can all try to focus on solutions, not problems. Give it a try! It helped me turn a whole new leaf a decade ago, and now, I know it could help us to pave another grand new path. Ladies and gentlemen, when facing unknown challenges and uncertain future, let’s focus on solutions, not problem. Thank you!
2009年1月20日 星期二
090121 Obama's inaugural address
Interactive speech analysis.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/20/us/politics/20090120_INAUGURAL_ANALYSIS.html
This is really good!
----
Transcript
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that Americas decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technologys wonders to raise health cares quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the publics dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expediences sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their societys ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the worlds resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighters courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parents willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of Americas birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our childrens children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and Gods grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/20/us/politics/20090120_INAUGURAL_ANALYSIS.html
This is really good!
----
Transcript
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that Americas decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technologys wonders to raise health cares quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the publics dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expediences sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their societys ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the worlds resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighters courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parents willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of Americas birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our childrens children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and Gods grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
090120 Toastmaster
Suggestions to myself:
1. Do not speak too much, as toastmaster is not the main role. Speakers are.
2. It's very important to reassure/reconfirm speakers. They may say no in the very last minute.
3. Arrive earlier to ensure that all roles are there. If not, find fire fighters.
4. Take it easy and speak slower.
5. Dress nicer next time.
1. Do not speak too much, as toastmaster is not the main role. Speakers are.
2. It's very important to reassure/reconfirm speakers. They may say no in the very last minute.
3. Arrive earlier to ensure that all roles are there. If not, find fire fighters.
4. Take it easy and speak slower.
5. Dress nicer next time.
2009年1月6日 星期二
C2 Speech: Organize your speech
Content:
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Happy year 2009.
I am not quite sure what may come up to you mind when it comes to New Year. For Chinese New year, I think most people would relate to the joy of receiving red envelops or the pain of giving too much of them. For New Year, I mean the one on January 1st, I would think of New Year’s resolution, and that’s exactly what I would love to talk about today.
I would love to start with the importance of New Year’s resolution. Why do people need New Year’s resolution? In the latest biography of Warren Buffet “Snowball”, there is a quote that really fascinates me: “Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and a really long hill.” We all know that success need time to escalate, and that pretty much explains the “long hill” part, but what if along the road we choose, there is no more wet snow? Do we change automatically? No.
In spring, flowers’ blooms make the world fragrant as you walk in the garden. In summer, crickets orchestra play their best symphony as you relax in the night. In autumn, fallen leaves paint the ground splendid as you relax in the forest. In early winter, geese form amazing pattern as you look up to the sky. Animals, plants, and insects, they all know when and how to change by their very own nature and instincts. Not us, we only change when we need to, are forced to, or when we determine to. That’s why we need New Year’s resolution, a best time to examine your life’s status quo and decide if there is still wet snow lies ahead, and if the hill is still long enough.
When it comes to New Year’s resolution, it’s all about goal setting. In goal setting, there is an easy criterion called SMART. SMART, S, M, A, R, T, each stands for a word. They are: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
S, stands for specific. Your goal should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. It’s the what, why, and how of the strategy. For example, instead of saying: I want to look better. I may try saying something like I want to lose 20 kilograms.
M, stands for measurable. As I just said a few seconds ago, I want to lose 20 kilograms is a perfectly measurable goal. The only thing I need might be a scale for me to stand on. Making goals measurable is very important, for we can only manage our goal when we can measure it. Also, in the process of change, those measurable differences could be strong motivators to help us carry on.
A, stands for attainable. Set goals have to be attainable when given accessible resources. I must be crazy if I tell you I want to look like Tom Cruise or have a built like Arnold Achwarzenegger, I believe most of you would think I am setting up unattainable goals. When I practiced my speech in front of my friend, he suggested monthly trip to Korea might help. My answer to his reply is that I may pretty soon show them the limit of modern medical surgical technology.
R, stands for realistic. People may get confuse between attainable and realistic goals, so what’s the difference? Attainable goals mean possible goals. Realistic goals mean proper goals. Having a flying carpet is unattainable to me, and losing 10 kilograms by tomorrow is unrealistic to me. However, this is not to encourage people to make up easy goals. Good goals should allow us to stretch some, but still allow the likelihood of success.
Last, T, stands for time-bound. Setting a time-frame for goals can help us work toward it. My experience taught me that my task will take only longer than the time I allow it to take, not shorter. I may delay a little bit, but seldom finish them earlier. For those goals that I haven’t set deadlines upon, to be honest, I never get them done. So please, do yourself a favor. Set a realistic deadline and stick to it. Things will be very different.
According to the survey done by Richard Wiseman in Quirkology, in 2007, among 3000 people who made their New Year resolutions, in the beginning there were 52% of participants that were confident of their success. But in the very end, only 12% succeeded. There was a really interesting finding suggested by the survey. That was New Year’s Resolution did have gender difference. For gentlemen, they were more likely to succeed when they focused on the rewards they would get after achieving their goals. For ladies, they were more likely to succeed when they have social support from friends or families. So, gentlemen, when setting up your goals, remember, carrots, not sticks. Ladies, please do get your goals go public.
May you all set great goals, have them achieved, and enjoy a SMART and fabulous year 2009.
Toastmaster.
-----
Suggestions
1. Pay attention to the pronunciation of Warren Buffet. Buffet has 2 different pronunciations.
2. Explain more about Buffet, as some audience may not know him.
3. Opening should be more enthusiastic.
4. Give examples of high achievers as Obama, and how they set up their goals.
5. Give more personal examples.
6. Speak slower.
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Happy year 2009.
I am not quite sure what may come up to you mind when it comes to New Year. For Chinese New year, I think most people would relate to the joy of receiving red envelops or the pain of giving too much of them. For New Year, I mean the one on January 1st, I would think of New Year’s resolution, and that’s exactly what I would love to talk about today.
I would love to start with the importance of New Year’s resolution. Why do people need New Year’s resolution? In the latest biography of Warren Buffet “Snowball”, there is a quote that really fascinates me: “Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and a really long hill.” We all know that success need time to escalate, and that pretty much explains the “long hill” part, but what if along the road we choose, there is no more wet snow? Do we change automatically? No.
In spring, flowers’ blooms make the world fragrant as you walk in the garden. In summer, crickets orchestra play their best symphony as you relax in the night. In autumn, fallen leaves paint the ground splendid as you relax in the forest. In early winter, geese form amazing pattern as you look up to the sky. Animals, plants, and insects, they all know when and how to change by their very own nature and instincts. Not us, we only change when we need to, are forced to, or when we determine to. That’s why we need New Year’s resolution, a best time to examine your life’s status quo and decide if there is still wet snow lies ahead, and if the hill is still long enough.
When it comes to New Year’s resolution, it’s all about goal setting. In goal setting, there is an easy criterion called SMART. SMART, S, M, A, R, T, each stands for a word. They are: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
S, stands for specific. Your goal should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. It’s the what, why, and how of the strategy. For example, instead of saying: I want to look better. I may try saying something like I want to lose 20 kilograms.
M, stands for measurable. As I just said a few seconds ago, I want to lose 20 kilograms is a perfectly measurable goal. The only thing I need might be a scale for me to stand on. Making goals measurable is very important, for we can only manage our goal when we can measure it. Also, in the process of change, those measurable differences could be strong motivators to help us carry on.
A, stands for attainable. Set goals have to be attainable when given accessible resources. I must be crazy if I tell you I want to look like Tom Cruise or have a built like Arnold Achwarzenegger, I believe most of you would think I am setting up unattainable goals. When I practiced my speech in front of my friend, he suggested monthly trip to Korea might help. My answer to his reply is that I may pretty soon show them the limit of modern medical surgical technology.
R, stands for realistic. People may get confuse between attainable and realistic goals, so what’s the difference? Attainable goals mean possible goals. Realistic goals mean proper goals. Having a flying carpet is unattainable to me, and losing 10 kilograms by tomorrow is unrealistic to me. However, this is not to encourage people to make up easy goals. Good goals should allow us to stretch some, but still allow the likelihood of success.
Last, T, stands for time-bound. Setting a time-frame for goals can help us work toward it. My experience taught me that my task will take only longer than the time I allow it to take, not shorter. I may delay a little bit, but seldom finish them earlier. For those goals that I haven’t set deadlines upon, to be honest, I never get them done. So please, do yourself a favor. Set a realistic deadline and stick to it. Things will be very different.
According to the survey done by Richard Wiseman in Quirkology, in 2007, among 3000 people who made their New Year resolutions, in the beginning there were 52% of participants that were confident of their success. But in the very end, only 12% succeeded. There was a really interesting finding suggested by the survey. That was New Year’s Resolution did have gender difference. For gentlemen, they were more likely to succeed when they focused on the rewards they would get after achieving their goals. For ladies, they were more likely to succeed when they have social support from friends or families. So, gentlemen, when setting up your goals, remember, carrots, not sticks. Ladies, please do get your goals go public.
May you all set great goals, have them achieved, and enjoy a SMART and fabulous year 2009.
Toastmaster.
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Suggestions
1. Pay attention to the pronunciation of Warren Buffet. Buffet has 2 different pronunciations.
2. Explain more about Buffet, as some audience may not know him.
3. Opening should be more enthusiastic.
4. Give examples of high achievers as Obama, and how they set up their goals.
5. Give more personal examples.
6. Speak slower.
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