Hi Taylor!

> I don't think it is an issue most people are
> comfortable discussing. I am and I love the
> topic, incessantly.

Yes, I'm the same. :)

I like getting to the roots of things, to the core of what's happening.... And without a doubt, how you set your goals (whether consciously or sub-consciously) is a core element for why successful people are so successful....

> I have been setting goals since I was 15
> years old and I have been reading them
> ebvery night since then.

> Of course, as I reached each goal I replaced
> it with other goals but it has worked
> miracles in my life, literally.

Heheh.... You know what, Taylor? I was going to write something about "miracles" in my original message, but then I thought people would wonder what I was talking about....

But you took the words out of my mouth!

I feel many "miracles" have happened in my life too. And I attribute a part of that to aiming high.... If you settle for the mundane, those "miracles" are less likely to occur.

There can be frustrations along the way, no doubt about it. There have been times when I've even felt like a big failure, and started to despair. I've found that this is a normal part of aiming high, being willing to risk these kind of feelings. However, I try to get over these feelings and keep my eyes on my dream, and persist.... Then I find that the rewards in the end more than make up for the difficulties!

> People shun goal setting because it
> involves, not only work, but more
> importantly responsibility for one's self.

> Not many people desire to take FULL
> responsibility for their self. They give
> this away to other external entities and
> then complain when these same entities fail
> them.

Wow, that's true.... I hadn't really thought of that, but I think there's a lot of truth to what you said.

> I see it in marketing all the time...people
> ask what they should do to succeed as if
> someone else can remotely manufacturer their
> own success.

Taylor, I can really relate to what you wrote!

I'm discovering that I go through a pattern in any serious endeavor I undertake.... I did this when I was focusing on my physics career, and I did it when I was focusing on being a successful investor. (I count both of these endeavors as having been successes for me -- I have several physics research articles, and I'm doing well on the stock market.) Now I've started to notice that I'm going through this pattern with "entrepreneurship" too....

Here's the pattern. It might not fit everyone, but in case anyone benefits from this, this is what I seem to do....

First, I start to read up ALL I can on the topic. That means a LOT. It can take a long time too (it depends on how big that topic is). I read every day.

After some time reading, I'll often start to do some "experiments" here and there.... Try to apply the principles. (For example, "Entrepreneur-Web" -- my other web site -- was one of my experiments which I started a couple of years ago.... I learned quite a lot from doing it.)

After a certain amount of time, I'll start to feel like I'm quite knowledgeable on the topic. I'll get to a stage where I feel that I know a significant chunk of what's known which is important about a topic.... (This can take anywhere from a few months, to a few years.)

For example, I'm now at the stage that when I go to the "business" section in a bookstore, I feel like I probably know in essence what's contained in about 95% of the books. It's getting harder to find books with something "new" for me to learn from. When I get this kind of feeling, I find my confidence begins to soar....

That's when I feel I've got to apply this knowledge really SERIOUSLY. That is, big time, since I feel I've begun to reach the limit of basic study. I'm now finally at that stage with my "entrepreneurship" studies....

The next stage is to apply what I do know "big time," and see if it works. This is different from my "experiments," where I'm usually a bit more timid. Instead, I start to go all out, using all the knowledge and skills I've accumulated....

For example, with business, I do believe there are certain "keys" which distinguish those businesses which stay small from those which become large. I'd say that outsourcing some of the work, or employing others -- which can be thought of as leveraging other people's time -- is a big part of that....

And there are other shortcuts too. For example, using a celebrity as a spokesperson is a "shortcut" to achieving credibility and gaining the attention of your prospect. (And clearly this shortcut is used in advertisements all the time.) Whether you use this technique or not, it's powerful to have this kind of knowledge available to you to use in case you choose to....

> I also see it in how people live lives of
> "quiet desperation" waiting for
> that next wave of happiness to approach in
> the form of a mate, a substance, etc.

Yes, Taylor, I agree with you here. The way to go is to fashion your own destiny. :)

While you do experience frustrations on this path, the exhuberance you feel makes it well worth it!

> Goal setting is the way to live, especially
> if you beleive that you are created in the
> image of God. God has goals for each and
> every one of us.

Heheh.... Taylor, yes, here I'll get back to "miracles"....

I feel incredibly lucky. And these "miracles" that I feel have happened to me too, I believe they are partly due to setting high goals.... and.... praying. I have explored many traditions, and I believe in the power of prayer, and trusting in God (or a "higher power").

Those who are skeptical may say that it is all some kind of psychological effect. But however people choose to interpret it, the fact is prayer and trust in a "higher power" can and does make a difference. (That's why they use this in 12 Steps programs to treat alcoholics -- it's powerful and it's been proven to work. It can change your life.)

> If you consider the fact that we are
> supposedly, the brightest creatures around
> then you can see the import of setting goals
> and setting them high.

> I have some very high goals, for instance, I
> intend to generate 100,000,000.00 in profits
> via the Internet within the next 120 months,
> actually 118 months now.

> Will I succeed...how can I fail? Actually, I
> cannot fail unless I die without reaching
> that goal..and that is not failure in
> itself.

> If I give up, then I fail.

Heheh, very true Taylor!

Well.... You know what? My "secret" goal is to be a billionaire one day, but to do it ethically, and to enjoy myself as I go along. (That's partly why I try to study the lives of billionaires, like Richard Branson, Ross Perot, or Warren Buffett.)

(It's not worth it to me to do it unethically, though, or to sacrifice the more important things in life, like friends and family. I think it's important to get your priorities straight. Good friends and family will probably do more to make you happy than lots of money will.)

Then I'd like to perhaps set up a charitable foundation which was funded purely through the returns on investments of some of this. That's so some good could come out of this, and hopefully will also continue after I die.

Another long term goal of mine is to found a scientific research institute, and also perhaps a private university (or two).

Lofty goals, I know. To many people, they may even sound silly. But these long term goals are always in the back of my mind. :)

They keep me motivated. :)

> Dien, I could go on but bandwith gets
> expensive...

Thanks Taylor, you spoke a lot of truths.... :)

- Dien