Reach Your Goals - Measure Twice, Cut Once

Measure twice, cut once

Just as in carpentry, making sure that your decisions are based on sound data is essential to reaching your goals. Ensure that you know precisely what is going to be required to make your dreams come true, and that you meet these criteria and are capable of the sustained effort necessary. For some goals, such as being a pitcher for the New York Yankees, a certain set of basic skills and physical attributes are non-negotiable. Making sure that you possess these skills and attributes before you put your house in hock to pay for a Major League baseball camp is only common sense. If you're unsure whether or not you have what it takes, ask someone who does know - but be choosy about who you ask. If you want advice about making the Major League, ask someone with that sort of inside info - a scouting-level college baseball coach, a sports agent, a sports journalist, etc. Don't ask cousin Bob just because he watches the game all the time and knows everyone's stats. Sure, he might be able to give you an unbiased viewpoint, but it is unlikely. Family baggage (he thinks you're the greatest thing since chipped beef, or he's still smarting over the fact that you ended up with "his" girl) can seriously impair his outlook. Friends and family members are usually the worst options for fair and objective evaluations, even if they are professionals in whatever field holds your interest. Only in the rarest of cases can someone be a professional first and a family member second - after all, they've probably been your (cousin, friend, etc) for much longer than they've been at their job.

That said, once you've double-checked the time, money and commitment necessary, and you're still sure you have what it takes - go for it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLES

Succeed !
Are you successful? What does that word mean to you? Unlimited wealth, "toys" as far as the eye can see, or family gatherings at your cottage on the lake?Success is a state of mind, and I would like to help you Succeed! Below are some dynamic belief steps to follow.S - Start believing in yourself and what you do! Starting=beginning.

What People Say about the People They Work With Reflects on Themselves
Often, what people say about other people behind their backs is a nasty reflection on the talker. You might be surprised by what I heard from an IRS executive.

How My Friend Bob Went From Being A Failure To A Winner By Taking Intelligent Action
Let me tell you story about a friend of mine who used to be a complete failure. His name was Bob.

Success Intelligence : Attitudes to Success
For each of us, how successful we feel will depend upon our attitude toward success. Similarly, our motivation to achieve will be determined largely by our attitude.

Just Dont Do It
Sometimes success is found through the things that you don't do. Here are some ideas for what we shouldn't do.

Goal Setting: Pops Proves Its Never Too Late
Pops first set the goal in high school, but when he graduated he thought he wasn't mature enough to pursue it so he enlisted in the U.S.

How to Achieve Massive Success Before Graduating
How do you land your dream job, win the world's most prestigious scholarships, and get into your top school choices? Conventionally, students are taught that the main way to achieve these things are by getting great grades in the right classes and getting great summer jobs in the right fields. This strategy may have been a safe bet for awhile, but it simply isn't anymore.

The Opportunity Clock
When I was in college, I heard someone say something that has been with me ever since. It was something that demonstrated to me a positive attitude and the choice to take something that most people dread, and change it into a motivating factor.

Re-defining Success in Midlife
When entering second adulthood, many women will begin a journey of re-defining personal and professional success for themselves. In midlife, success takes on a new meaning than it had in our 20's and 30's when it was most likely being defined more by others, the current culture, the past, hope or advertising.

The Dynamics of Competitive Mentality
Life is not a competition.Not at all.

Dont Listen To Successful People
Do you know what the problem is with asking successful people for advice? They don't always know why they are successful - but they'll give you all the reasons you want. I once watched an 100-year-old man explain that smoking every day was the secret to his longevity.

The Seven Cs of Success
Get ready to sail the Seven C's - the Seven C's of Success that is. Get on board and ride this ship to your destiny! There are Seven C's you must sail if you want to be a total success.

It is a Challenge to Succeed
(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a challenge to succeed. If it were not, I'm sure more people would be successful, but for every person who is enjoying the fruit from the tree of success, many more are examining the roots.

Persist Until You Succeed
The start of a new year is a good time to review your dreams and goals. I am not asking you to make another new year's resolution you are going to break in a few days or weeks but to think of what is important to you or what you want to achieve or work towards in the months to come.

The Amazing Success Secret Anyone Can Start Using Today
However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And we can all use it today to get ahead more quickly.

Identify Those Things That Have Prevented You From Being Successful And Learn How To Avoid Them Now
Have you been struggling for years to accomplish some goals without success? Are you wondering why you haven't been able to lose the weight you want, be more energetic, earn more money, learn new skills, be a better communicator, or accomplish whatever desires and dreams you have?Has it finally dawned on you in all these years that your lifestyle is not one you are totally satisfied with? Do you become so frustrated at times because you don't know the remedy to your dilemma?Well, I understand how you feel because I struggled for years myself trying to accomplish my goals without success. I had that spark in me but couldn't get the fire ignited to create a strong enough "burning desire"Then I finally learned why I wasn't achieving those dreams I so desperately wanted.

The Importance of Listening Skills for Self Improvement and Success
Effective listening is almost certainly the most important communication skill, and essential to anyone serious about Self Improvement and Success.Some people envy those who have the 'gift of the gab' and always seem to be the centre of attention.

Success: How to Ask the Right Questions
Q. My problem is that I have trouble keeping my motivation and energy up day to day.

A Century of Hope
What would one initially think about someone who dropped out of school at the age of 16? Would there be any hope for this person? This person is Bob Hope. Comedian Bob Hope starred in over 50 movies and lived past the age of 100 years old.

Consuming Passions Consuming Success
The other day I went shopping at the local consumer electronics warehouse where they have everything from talking toasters to serenading telephones. I was looking for a new printer since mine had just died from a respiratory belt problem.