Well, it is the night of the last day of 2023 (December 31, 2023) – New Year’s Eve for 2024. So, where are you going with your speaking in 2024? Have you set your 2024 speaking goals?

One of my mentors, Earl Nightingale, says all achievement humankind has experienced throughout its existence owes its accomplishment to setting goals.

I will go further, to which I believe Mr. Nightingale would agree. In order to achieve your goals, you need to (1) create the goals, (2) create actionable plans to realize your goals and act on those plans, and then (3) periodically status these actionable plans to determine if you need to make “course corrections.”

Each of these essentials for accomplishing your goals is explained in detail below:

Create Your Speaking Goals

Setting speaking goals for 2024 is a great way to improve your communication skills. Here are three steps you can take to create effective speaking goals:

• Define Your Objectives: Clearly identify what you want to achieve with your speaking goals. Are you looking to become a more confident public speaker, enhance your presentation skills, or improve your ability to communicate in group settings? Be specific about the areas you want to target.

• Break Down Your Goals into Smaller Actionable Tasks: Once you’ve identified your overall objectives, break them into smaller, actionable tasks. For example, if your goal is to become a more confident public speaker, smaller tasks could include practicing regularly, participating in a public speaking course, or giving a certain number of presentations throughout the year.

• Create a Timeline: Establish a realistic timeline for achieving your speaking goals. Setting deadlines for each smaller task will help you stay focused and motivated. Consider any external factors, such as upcoming events or speaking opportunities, and plan your timeline accordingly.

Remember, the key to achieving your speaking goals is a combination of clarity, planning, and consistent effort. Regularly assess your progress, celebrate your achievements, and adjust your goals as needed to ensure continuous improvement.

So, creating your speaking goals is essential to accomplishing them.

However, your goals without actionable plans are simply thoughts in your mind. Creating actionable plans to realize your goals is also essential.

Create Actionable Plans to Realize Your Goals

Creating actionable plans is crucial to turning your speaking goals into actionable steps. Here are three things you can do to develop effective, actionable plans for your speaking goals in 2024:

• Identify Specific Action Steps: Break down your speaking goals into specific, actionable steps. These steps should be clear, measurable, and achievable. For instance, if your goal is to improve your impromptu speaking skills, specific action steps could include participating in a speaking club, dedicating a specific amount of time each week to impromptu exercises, or seeking out opportunities for spontaneous speaking.

• Allocate Resources and Time: Determine the resources needed to achieve each action step. This could include time, money, materials, or support from others. Allocate realistic timeframes for completing each step, considering your existing commitments and responsibilities. If your goal involves attending a public speaking workshop, plan when and how you’ll register, how much time you’ll dedicate, and any associated costs.

• Establish a Monitoring and Evaluation System: Set up a system to monitor your progress and evaluate your performance regularly. This could involve weekly or monthly check-ins with yourself or a mentor, tracking your practice sessions, or maintaining a speaking journal. Establish criteria for success and be honest in assessing whether you’re meeting your targets. If a particular approach isn’t working, be willing to adjust your plan accordingly.

By taking these steps, you’ll have a clear roadmap for achieving your speaking goals and a structured approach that increases your chances of success.

Regularly review and refine your implementation plan to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with your objectives.

Creating your speaking goals and making actionable plans to realize them are essential to accomplishing your goals.

Another essential part of accomplishing your speaking goals is periodically checking your goals and actionable plans progress.

Periodically Check Your Goals Implementation Plans Progress

Monitoring and assessing the status of your speaking goals and actionable plans is essential for staying on track and making any necessary adjustments. Here are three things you can do to assess the status of your speaking goals in 2024 effectively:

• Regular Progress Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to assess your progress. This could be a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly review of the action steps outlined in your implementation plan. Use this time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what challenges you’ve encountered, and whether you’re on track to meet your milestones. If you’re falling behind, use these check-ins to identify the reasons and strategize how to catch up.

• Gather Feedback and Assess Performance: Actively seek feedback from others, whether it’s peers, mentors, or anyone who has observed your speaking skills. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where you excel and areas needing improvement. Additionally, record or document your speaking performances when possible. This could be through video recordings or written reflections. Analyze these recordings to identify strengths and areas for development. Consider sharing these recordings with a mentor or coach for more targeted feedback.

• Evaluate Impact and Adjust as Needed: Assess the impact of your speaking goals on your overall communication skills and personal development. Are you experiencing increased confidence in your public speaking abilities? Are you more comfortable handling impromptu speaking situations? Reflect on the tangible benefits you’re gaining from your efforts. If you find that specific action steps are not contributing to your progress as expected, be open to adjusting your plan. It’s crucial to be adaptable and make changes based on the real-world outcomes you’re experiencing.

By consistently evaluating your progress and making informed adjustments, you’ll increase the likelihood of successfully achieving your speaking goals in 2024.

Regular assessments help you stay accountable, motivated, and responsive to the evolving nature of your personal development journey.

So, creating your speaking goals, creating actionable plans to realize them, and periodically checking the progress of your actionable plans are essential to accomplishing your goals.

If you want to accomplish your speaking goals, make plans for their implementation and act on them!

Happy New Year!

Call to Action

• To create your 2024 speaking goals, define your objectives, break down your goals into smaller actionable tasks, and create a timeline for achieving your speaking goals.

• To create actionable plans to realize your goals, identify specific action steps, allocate resources and time to complete these action steps, and establish a goal monitoring and evaluation system to monitor your goal plans implementation progress

• To periodically check the progress of your implementation plans, institute regular progress check-ins, gather feedback on your goals and assess performance, evaluate the impact of your speaking goals, and adjust them as needed.

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.

Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.

Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!

“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”

Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com