Our speaker today. Matt Warren is going to talk about setting your own pace and not being held to others timetables. As part of his Innovative Planner tract, this is his third speech with an emphasis on Vocal Variety and Body Language Mr. Timer, Matt will need 5-7 minutes for his talk and it is titled “You Choose Your Timetable”…Matt? Thank you very much, Madam President. Fellow Toastmasters and guests, “You choose your timetable.” “Come on, Matt, it’s your turn!” My cousins yelled as I was fishing on the shore. I’m good right now, I said as I watched my dad and my uncle pull my siblings and cousins up on skis. “Matt, you got to practice! It’s Okay Matt. Come on, give it a try, they all said from the middle of the Lake, all the way from the cabin. My parents had rented a summer cabin on Lake Toxiway away with my Aunt Vicky, Uncle Jamie, and Grandmama and Granddaddy. You see, what they didn’t realize was I was watchin’. Out of the corner of my eye, I was watching each of them busted it. I mean, busted it many times, too. I watched as they struggled to extend their legs properly out of the imaginary rocking chair starting position in the middle of the water. We had the luxury of learning how to water ski directly out front of our cabin. There really were too many of us to be on the puling boat at the same time, so most times I volunteered to hang back and fish and I was just fishing for whatever would bite my cricket. I didn’t realize it until just a few years ago, but this little technique of sitting back, watching and learning until I knew it and I was ready, well, that’s simply my jam. I blew them all away and left them speechless when on the next to the last day, I said, “okay, I’d like to give it a try.” I jumped into the cold water and I put on these long skis on my feet. I grabbed the ski rope and his dad circled the boat into place. I held the ski rope handle and I bent my knees like I was sitting in a rocket chair. Got the rope between my skis. Go ahead, I yelled at Captain dad. He gunned it and the old boat roared. You see, my siblings and cousins all had bruises all over their body and were sore all over. They had fallen down dozens of times while I was fishing and observing and taking mental notes. Once I had the correct order and routine in my head, I was ready to go and nailed it on the first time. Fast forward from when I was eight to when I was 15 and it was time to go to the DMV and get my driving permit. Most kids counted down the days. I waited. I quietly watched all my buddies get their license, come back to school, and tell me all about what they learned. After a few months of reading and studying, I went out and aced the exam. I don’t know exactly what it was, but I wasn’t on their timetable. Quite frankly, I like the fact that I didn’t let peer pressure push me behind the wheel or behind the skis until I was ready. Fast forward to age 38. I was reminded of this story as I was recently studying for my private pilot’s license. I had a coworker start studying for his drone pilot certification. Granted. He is an engineer, a great test taker, and a master at reading comprehension. He passed his FAA exam in, like, ten days from the time he started studying for it. I have to admit, I was a little jealous. I was jealous at his speed. I wanted that. But did I really? I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure that out. I’m not ready to fly yet, nor am I even ready to take the knowledge test yet. I purchased the textbooks at the start of covid 19 in March 2020. I have a goal of reading or studying at least one page or 15 minutes from my private pilot each day. I have completed reading the entire pilot’s handbook of aeronautical knowledge from cover to cover, And I’m now two thirds of the way through the FAA airplane flying handbook. I’m on my own timetable here. Just like when I was water skiing or learning to drive. No one can rush me. And I shouldn’t beat up myself either for taking so long. It’s a major undertaking, and it’s not like this is all I’m doing either. I still have a full time job. I still work out at the gym a few times a week. I still have a family that needs my time too. Oh and I’ve started a blog and a podcast and a YouTube channel called Path to Warren to help document this journey and hopefully help fund this high flying adventure one day too. If you have a hobby you are trying to master or a goal in life you are trying to reach. My experience says that you can’t just push the pause button on life. I can’t stop my full time job. I can’t stop working out. I can’t tell my family that I’m not going to come home until late tonight Because I’m studying for this exam. They need me more than I need my pilot’s license. What I’m learning is to go to bed early, like nine or 9:30pm max. Get up early, like 04:00 a.m. Set an achievable goal of reading a page a day in a few different books. Just one page each. Turn the page, dog gear it, put it on the stack, and pick it back up the next day. This practice allows for balance and family work and true comprehension of multiple subjects over time. Don’t let other people’s activities or timetables dictate your timetable, Madam President. Fellow Toastmasters and guests, “You choose your timetable.” Thanks for letting me share. Bye.