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Unlocking Success: The Power of Goal Setting

PUBLISHED IN APRIL 2023

Let's dive into the magical realm of goal setting and why it's the secret key to turning your wildest dreams into reality.

Zig Ziglar, well-known for his inspirational speeches and books, speaks about Howard Hill, the world’s best-ever archer. He could hit a bullseye right in the center, then notch another arrow and split the first arrow right down the center.
Very Impressive! But Zig promised that he could take any man or woman and teach them in 20 minutes to hit the bullseye better than Howard Hill… if he blindfolded Howard and spun him around, so he had no idea where the target lies. Without a clear goal to aim for, even his remarkable skill becomes meaningless. The analogy Zig Ziglar uses illustrates the importance of having a clear vision of what you want.

And then there's Bob Proctor, the guru of personal development, who champions the power of goal setting like nobody else. According to Bob, setting clear and specific goals isn't just wishful thinking; it's the first step toward unlocking your full potential.

Without a roadmap to guide you, you might find yourself wandering aimlessly, like a ship without a compass. Once you have your goal clearly in mind, then you can start to take action.

As successful entrepreneur Peter Moriarty says, "The compass can point you where you need to go, but it can’t walk the path for you."

Let me illustrate it with a real-life example of my own. We all have many, but I’ll share just one. In my twenties, I discovered a knack for languages and became relatively fluent in Australian Sign Language, Auslan.

Becoming a professional, let alone an interpreter, was something I had never imagined. But given that some deaf people were strongly encouraging me, I set a goal to be the best interpreter I could possibly be. Not just good, but the very best.

I knew that if I wanted to achieve success, I needed to have a clear vision of what that success looked like. So I sought out examples of great interpreting. I visualised myself achieving a level 4 qualification (the highest at the time) and felt the emotions of what it would be like to hold that qualification in my hands.

Then I set to work immersing myself in the language and practicing in lots of different contexts. I even paid one native speaker to meet me for all-you-can-eat pizza once a week and simply chat about anything he was interested in so I got exposure to great signing.

And guess what? It paid off. Of the six Australians who sat for the first-ever examination for professional-level interpreters, I was one of them who passed with flying colors. It was a testament to the power of goal setting and having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and taking action.

Four action steps to turn the dream into reality:

So, my fellow dreamers, let me leave you with these action steps:

  1. Set audacious goals,
  2. Create a vivid vision of your success,
  3. Commit to your vision, and
  4. Take action.

Whether you're aiming to be a great archer or to be the best in your field, remember that with clarity of vision, unwavering determination, and consistent action, success is not just a possibility; it's an inevitability.

Deb Maes

Deb Maes

WRITER

Deb Maes, M.A. Comm is like a magician in the way she is able to discern the exact key to unlock more of the untapped potential in leaders.

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