You do have a goal, don’t you? At least one, I’m sure you have.
Achieve goals, or becoming a goal getter is very much like climbing a mountain, hike up bit by bit. Sometimes, you may feel insurmountable because it so steep, but sometimes you may discover that the slope is somewhere at the back of mountain.
If you were attend any of goal-setting workshop, NLP training or motivational seminar you may have heard about the story of “Yale University Graduate” in 1953. The story goes like this
In 1953, researchers surveyed Yale’s graduating seniors to determine how many of them had specific, written goals for their future. The answer: 3%. Twenty years later, researchers polled the surviving members of the Class of 1953 — and found that the 3% with goals had accumulated more personal financial wealth than the other 97% of the class combined!
The story doesn’t end here; there is an end to this story on regard to those 97%. Do you want to find out what is that?
There is more to it
This story actually comes from Anthony Robbins famous book “Unlimited Power” page 200 on 34th printing. Anthony Robbins by RRI (Robbins Research Initiate) refers this story to personal effectiveness consultant on Selling “Brian Tracy”. Brian Tracy, who reads more than one hour a day, refers this story to motivational speaker guru in ’60, Zig Ziglar.
When I dig in to Uncle Zig’s work on the Yale Study, by listening his audio tape and read his book, I found that there are more to this story about those 97%. Here it is…
Those 97% category actually has at least one goal, and 20% of them even write them down on a piece of paper. If you ask them they also can tell you what they want, when they want it. For those 80% (of 97% category), they didn’t border to even write those goals down, they merely dream about it.
The question is… why those 20% who written down goals felt into 97% category? Here is why… because they short of these elements, 1) didn’t plan out into great details, 2) they didn’t put specific date, 3) they don’t have action plan, 4) they didn’t identify the obstacle and resources to overcome those. And of course, 5) they didn’t know “WHY” and “WHY NOT” they must achieve those goals.
The Twist Of the Story
But strangely, when I did further research to 1953 Graduate from Yale University, I found very very very interesting discovery. I found that the study didn’t take place. It is merely a myth.
There is no single document from Yale University about this study. None (not even one) of the 1953 Graduates had aware of this study. There is no follow up document or survey in 1973. Amazing? It is merely a myth.
So What? You Still Have Goals To Achieve
Yes, so what? Does that matter whether the story true or not? You still have goals to achieve, you still have dream to follow. Where is source of your motivation?
What I want you to do now is 1) think about goals that you want to accomplish in next 12 months. 2) Imagine, visualize them, and access your inner feeling. And ask yourself “How do I feel about these goals now?”
For those of you who didn’t feel anything after knowing this myth, I’m sure you already has answer “WHY” must you have those goal,
For those of you who feel a bit de-motivated, you may have to evaluate “WHY” you must achieve those goals.
Revisit your goal every month, those important ones must be visited every week those very important ones everyday. Make sure that everyday you move closer toward your dream. Take action to get motivation. No matter what happen you will stay on course.
Keep every step toward the mountain of success. Just like when you ask Aristotle how to get to The Mount Olympus he replies “”By simply ensuring that each step you take is toward Mount Olympus.”
With Love,
Paiboon
November 3rd, 2005 at 2:48 am
Wow, Paiboon, I never knew the history behind that article at all! Thanks for pointing it out.
Always something new to be learnt from you
And adding on, I’d like to share my experience with a goal of mine and the ‘why’ behind it as well.
When I started this Life Coaches Blog, a lot of obstacles came in my way. Lack of time, programming bugs, lack of knowledge, lack of money, and so on. But the ‘why’ I had, the reasons I wanted to set this blog up, kept me going through the late nights and moments of frustration.
Why did I want to do it? I knew very clearly that I wanted to set up a creative space for us to bounce off and share our ideas with each other and others and spread inspiration and encouragement all around. And here it is, the Life Coaches Blog, now into its’ third running week, with more to come.
Looking through this past year at all the goals I’ve attained and not, those that had a compelling and clear enough ‘why’ were the ones which made it through at the end.
November 3rd, 2005 at 3:37 am
Boon Breakfast came a little late today because of some technical challenges i have. This http://www.lifecoachesblog.com is also face some challenges here and there. But it does come. That’s the whole point.
Thanks for being great contributor in this blog.
Paiboon
November 3rd, 2005 at 4:51 am
Back to motivation guys!! We’ve established that motivation comes from taking action. When actions are taken, there will be a general sense that things are moving. Things are moving already, never officially thank Alvin for setting this space up for us to hang. So thank you bro!!
We know ‘why’, we are figuring out the ‘how’. The ‘what’s are coming along. So we are amassing a following yet these people are a shy bunch. Are we intimidating them with too much info?
Some people will click around and test out all the links to see what it’ll lead them to. Maybe, if we get our friends to return the courtesy of clicking on a few links on the site like we do when we visit theirs…. oh well
It’s a uphill climb for what it’s worth, we get the experience to crystalise our words properly and the success is that of moving towards our goals everyday in every small way.
November 4th, 2005 at 10:35 am
Hi to all,
I just want to say, THANKS for starting this blog and i really like the articles contributed by all of you. Nowsaday, there are 2 blog that i will read when i am online and that is the one by Stuart and the other one by all of you, life coaches. And i want to let Pete know that the information here is wonderful and has not intimated me, keep them coming. Thanks
November 4th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
Thanks KC for lending your voice. I’m sure you are going to enjoy yourself more as we become more proficient and precise with the way we write.
Readers may realise that we are covering a wide topic area and we have not ’specialise’ in any specific area. In order to help us, we want to hear from all the people out there. The many of you who read our blog regularly, those who chance upon it, those who were asked to come and will ask their friends in turn to have a look-see.
With all the collective contact hours we have actively coaching people and groups, there’s a wealth of experience here waiting for all the readers to build a relationship with us. We want to know your interest area and what we can share with you in the space that we all share.
So people…let us hear you.
November 5th, 2005 at 12:34 am
I echo Pete’s thanks, KC. I’ve spoken to some of our readers (you know who you are ;]) and I know there are some of you who are reading our posts regularly.
First all, I’d like to thank all of you for being part of our experiment in sharing :]
Secondly, I’d like to invite all of you to join in the conversation. Let us know what you think, let’s talk, and benefit from each other’s thoughts.
Let’s find out just how much more interesting this will get.