Hi Bob,

Great post.... comprehensive, yet in a compact way. :)

> 1. Determine a large objective (shoot for
> the stars goal) to accomplish by a certain
> time. (Could be financial, physical,
> emotional, whatever. I've used it to create
> businesses, train for marathons, etc.)

Yes, I agree with you that the essential same approach applies whatever your endeavor -- including marathons and practically everything else. :)

> 2. Begin with the end in mind (as Covey
> said) and reverse engineer the process with
> several intermediate and immediate steps
> (attainable goals) that must be accomplished
> to achieve the big result.

Yes, I fully agree with this too....

I tend to think of my big goal, and try to figure out how to achieve it, by working backwards.

However, to do this, it helps to have a solid understanding of how things work whatever field this endeavor is in -- gaining that knowledge can take time....

> 3. Don't be so locked in on the individual
> steps that you miss serendipitous
> opportunities that come along to help you
> achieve your big goal in an unexpected way
> (a la Rick above).

Yes, great advice! Be flexible and fluid....

"Nothing in the world
is as soft and yielding as water.
Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible,
nothing can surpass it." :)

> 4. Ensure that your big goal/project is
> aligned with what you're all about in life
> (i.e., mission or purpose or ethics, etc.
> Gordon's post and examples underline this
> point. Large and small is relative to the
> person and situation, grasshopper:-))

I agree, this is important too.

Unless your big goal is aligned to your own ethics, it makes it more difficult to achieve. And even just working towards achieving that goal, if it contradicts your ethics, will make you more miserable rather than happier.

Thank you, Sensei. :)

Thanks Bob, wonderful post!

- Dien