|
 Having a goal to shoot and drive toward is how you win an NBA championship in life.
By Gregg Amerman
A goal? What's that? Ask most people what their goals are for the next three to five years and they'll give you a look like, huh? Most people don't know where they're going to do in a month, much less longer. And truthfully, most people don't know what they're going to accomplish tomorrow.
The reality is most people don't have a specific goal to shoot for, and therefore, have no game plan. That makes it virtually impossible to score and win.
The game of basketball and the game of life are very similar. First of all, could you imagine the game of basketball without any goals to shoot at? How would you keep score? That's what life is like without any goals. And that's how most people live it.
People just move back and forth aimlessly, repeating the same behaviors and habits over and over again, and end up achieving the same results (which are usually not the results they want). If that's not the way you want your life to be, you better start shooting for some goals.
During a basketball game, opponents try to stop you from scoring. That's why as a player you must have the right mindset and skill-set. Scoring requires going through and around the defense.
It's the same thing in life. If you're going to set goals, especially big ones, you must understand you're going to miss a lot of shots along the way. There will be many things, and possibly even people, trying to stop you. In an ideal world, everyone would be supportive and do everything they could to help you. But that's not reality – so don't expect it.
It is just part of the game – a part you should love because it's what makes playing worth it. If every player had an open shot there would be no challenge, and therefore, no sense of accomplishment. I've always appreciated the notion that my goals would only be scored if I were willing to go through whatever was necessary. This sense of achievement is what made me set other goals.
Take a good look at a basketball game. After every basket the players give each other a high-five. That's because all the hard work and effort is worth it when they score. If you keep shooting for your short-term goals, eventually it will lead to long-term goals.
The game plan
Sit down and write out all your big goals. Don't hold back. Whatever is important – write it down. Want to think big? Think of sending a man to the moon. The point is that you must envision the end result. Once you do, the next step is creating a "stair-step" of smaller goals that will eventually lead to the final destination.
Where there is a successful person, there is a person who set a goal. I'm sure some of you already set goals and have an approach that works for you. But for those of you who haven't, the best way to get started is to start today (see 4 simple steps to score your goal). Remember, you'll miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. Shoot, because that's the only way you can score. OC
Gregg Amerman is a noted motivational speaker and author of the upcoming book, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm.” His unique style of selling, motivating and coaching is used by a number of companies across the country. For more information, visit his site at www.greggamerman.com. |
