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