Page 18 - October 2022

FROM THE DESK

A NEW LOOK AT TIME MANAGEMENT

Dave Bones, DTM - Club Growth Director

Have you met that fellow Toastmaster who seems to trying to predict the future
to be under the impression that they can do the that far in advance.
work of an entire team if necessary? You might The 12 Week Year system

have noticed this member filling in for “hot seat” addresses this right in its
speeches, filling last-minute meeting roles, or name. The idea is to replace
even leading committees of one. the 12-month concept with a
Is this you? Are you regularly over-extended? I 12-Week-Year paradigm. This

will admit, this has been me. However, in my new adds urgency (because every
role as D7 Club Growth Director, I have finally week counts) and outcome
met my match. I am butting right up against my certainty because the future
time management and team delegation skills. prediction is not nearly as far

Lorri Andersen, District Director, has been off.
encouraging the District 7 leaders to read The
Twelve Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael TASK OVERLOAD

Lennington. I have had the book for some time, Perhaps as a club officer, you

but only recently started reading it. Perhaps at are trying to participate in Executive Committee
the time, at least in Toastmasters, I guess I didn’t and regular meetings, keep track of the
think that I needed this system. I have recently membership dues deadlines, hold membership
been taking a deep dive into this material. Now I drives, keep track of Pathways speeches, fill last

see it could have offered benefit a long time ago. minute meeting roles, follow up with guests,
Here are four of the top time management conduct the Club Success Plan and Moments of
challenges I have encountered in Toastmasters. Truth modules, and prepare for club contests. If
Perhaps you have experienced one or more of these tasks are not prioritized and delegated to

them too. For each I will share how the 12 Week the proper roles overload is imminent.
Year system could be beneficial: The 12 Week Year addresses this scenario
in two ways. The first is recommended to
IINEFFECTIVE YEARLY GOALS commit to three 12 Week goals per delegation

It is way too easy to look at a huge list of goals or category. The second is the implicit built-in
requirements but not be concerned at all because team integration. All the tasks mentioned
it is so far into the future. The problem is both in the example are important but cannot be
procrastination and guesswork when it comes accomplished by one member. Each delegation

18 ONE COMMUNITY