Focus on Your Future General Purpose: To Inform Specific Purpos ✓ Solved

Inform your classmates how to set goals to achieve success. Success in life comes from having goals, a plan to achieve those goals, and following that plan.

I. Introduction

A. Attention-Getter: Good morning. Is your future a little out of focus? Let’s see if we can do something about that. Here is an interesting statistic from Deb Cabral in the “Observer-Dispatch,” a newspaper in Utica N.Y.: “A Harvard Business study found that there is a direct correlation between goal setting and success. It said that 14% of the people who have goals are ten times more successful than those who do not have goals.”

B. Common Ground: Everyone wants the best out of life, but many of us are not sure how to get there. Some of us have goals, some of us have achieved goals, but all of us need to set goals. Succeeding in life is easier than you realize. You must focus on your future.

C. Credibility: Twenty-five years ago, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted out of life but no idea how to get it. So, I developed the FOCUS plan for my own benefit. It has been such a help to me in reaching several goals that I would like to share it with you. By using the FOCUS plan, I was able to reach the goals of purchasing a truck, a house, and I have the career that I wanted. By following the FOCUS plan, I am well on my way to succeeding in completing a two-year degree here at H.C.C.

D. Thesis: Success in life comes from focusing, having goals, having a plan to achieve those goals, and following that plan.

E. Preview of main topics: Today I am going to explain to you the steps of the F-O-C-U-S plan: how four steps will lead you to success.

Transition: Let’s start with the F, the first step to achieving your goals, focus on your future.

II. Body

A. Main Point #1: Focus on your visions, your aspirations, and your dreams.

1. Supporting ideas: This is where it all starts. In order for you to achieve a goal, you must know what it is that you want. Justin Gesso, a bestselling author and accomplished entrepreneur tells us Oprah Winfrey “attributes her success to very clear, vivid images of her goals.”

2. Supporting ideas: So, visualize what it is that you want: picture it in your mind. Is it a house, money, a career, or maybe you want a sports car?

Transition: You may have many goals. Once you have identified a specific goal or goals, you will move on to the O, the organizing of your thoughts.

B. Main Point #2: You need to organize your thoughts by making a list of your goals.

1. Supporting ideas: Organize your goals into priorities. List them in order of importance to you. Only list the most important few goals.

2. Supporting ideas: Be specific with each goal; if it is a car you want, what kind of car? How much is that car? Is it new or used? What will be needed for a down payment?

Transition: Now that you know which goals are a priority, you need to know how to reach them. C comes next. You need to create a plan.

C. Main Point #3: You need to create a specific plan using a timeline.

1. Supporting ideas: Write down the date you want to have achieved each specific goal; when do you want that car?

2. Supporting ideas: Start with the big plan and break it down into steps. If you want to achieve something in ten years, what should you have accomplished in five years, one year, one month, tomorrow? Using the car as an example, when do you want it? Let’s use three years as an example. How much would you need to save every year to save enough money for a down payment? How much would you need to have saved every month?

Transition: With a viable plan written down you will need the U. Use your plan.

D. Main Point #4: Commit to using your plan by referring to it often and adjusting it if necessary.

1. Supporting ideas: Implement your plan and refer to it daily. Skip that latte and put some money aside, starting today. As Tony Robbins, a goal-setting guru says, “take action.”

2. Supporting ideas: Adjust your plan if necessary but stick to it. Don’t let interruptions derail your plan. In a biography of Michael Jordan, David Porter, a sportswriter, tells about how Michael Jordan never made the high school varsity team as a sophomore and how being committed to his goals made him one of the best basketball players in the world. Zondra Hughes, in the Ebony article, “How TYLER PERRY Rose From HOMELESSNESS To A $5 MILLION MANSION” tells us how Tyler Perry’s first play “I know I’ve been changed” was such a flop that he ended up homeless. However, he adjusted his plan and rose from being homeless to becoming one of Hollywood’s most powerful and wealthy filmmakers.

Transition: To conclude…

III. Conclusion

A. Review of main points: Today you have learned how you can achieve success from creating your own personalized plan using the F-O-C-U-S guidelines.

B. Restate thesis: As you have seen, success in your life is much more likely if you focus, if you have goals, if you have a plan to achieve those goals, and if you follow that plan.

C. Clincher: Using the statistics shown earlier and if this class is typical, there will be three or four people here that will be ten times more successful than the rest of this class. Which three or four of you will it be?

Paper For Above Instructions

Setting goals is an essential component for success in life, regardless of one’s aspirations, be it personal growth, career advancement, or financial stability. The concept of goal setting serves as a guiding star, illuminating the path toward desired achievements. In this speech, I will explore the F-O-C-U-S plan that outlines four steps each individual can utilize to set and achieve goals with clarity and effectiveness.

1. Focus on Your Vision

Goal setting starts with envisioning what we desire to accomplish. As noted by Gesso (2017), Oprah Winfrey’s success is attributed to her clear and vivid images of her goals. This emphasizes the significance of visualization. To set effective goals, one must first identify what they truly want. Is your goal purchasing a home, obtaining a degree, or starting a business? Take time to picture your dreams and harness that energy.

2. Organize Your Thoughts

Once clarity is achieved, the next logical step is to organize your thoughts by creating a prioritized list of goals. Frye (2019) suggests scheduling time for this critical step to ensure focus on what stands most important. Listing your goals in order of importance enables you to concentrate your efforts effectively. It is essential to be specific about each goal; for instance, if your goal is to save for a car, determine which model, the approximate cost, and the timeline for purchase (Robbins, 2019). With well-defined priorities, the journey toward achievement becomes increasingly manageable.

3. Create a Plan with a Timeline

After identifying your priorities, creating a specific plan with a timeline is crucial. Writing down each goal along with the expected timeframe for achievement offers a structured approach to working toward success (Porter, 2007). Define milestones within your broader objectives, allowing for small achievements leading up to your ultimate goal. For example, if saving for a car within three years is your aim, break it down into annual and monthly savings targets. This structured approach enables one to monitor progress consistently and adjust as needed.

4. Use and Commit to Your Plan

The final step in the F-O-C-U-S plan is to commit to your plan by regularly reviewing and adjusting it. Consistency and commitment are essential in this phase—implementing the plan requires daily action (Jordan, 2007). As is often echoed in motivational circles, “Take action” is not just a saying but a necessary step for achieving success (Robbins, 2019). As you pursue your goals, be open to adjustments. Life is dynamic, and flexibility often leads to better outcomes—both Jordan and Perry exemplified how perseverance can change one’s narrative even amidst setbacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey toward success is deeply rooted in effective goal setting. By understanding and implementing the F-O-C-U-S plan, individuals can bring their aspirations into focus and channel their energies toward achievement. Remember, success is not an accident but a well-thought-out plan coupled with action and commitment. Take the first steps today, and ask yourself: What is your vision for the future? What goals will you set? The path to success is clearer when we articulate our objectives and relate them to actionable steps. Who among us will set our course and achieve remarkable success?

References

• Cabral, D. (2019). Rather than make resolutions, set goals for 2020. Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y.
• Friedlander, J. (2019). Tony Robbins has a vision for you: The business mogul shares the secrets to extraordinary success. Success.
• Gesso, J. (2017). Early Success Goals of the Famous: Oprah Winfrey. February 2017.
• Hughes, Z. (2004). How Tyler Perry rose from homelessness to a $5 million mansion. Ebony, 59(3).
• Kirk, L. M. (2018). Setting Goals - Quotes to Inspire You. December 11.
• Porter, D. L. (2007). Michael Jordan: A Biography. Greenwood Publishing Group.
• Robbins, T. (2019). The Power of Goal Setting: Achieve Anything You Want. Success Magazine.
• Tharp, T. et al. (2016). Quotes Of The Week: From Twyla Tharp, Christopher Morley And Others. Investor’s Business Daily.
• Stevenson, A. (2020). Creating a Goal Setting Template for Success. Business Insights.
• Gordon, R. (2020). The Connection Between Goal Setting and Health Outcomes. Journal of Health Psychology.