Keep it to yourself.

Years ago, on a seminar on goal-setting, I felt that the guidance might not be suitable for everyone.

We were told to tell everyone about our goal; then we'd be accountable. That might act as a spur to some. I had a different theory, based on experience. Just before that time, I'd put on, and then shed,?a pile of weight. I was still active, fit, and in good physical condition. But of course, I was also fat, tubby, and unconcerned.

My mentor said I'd get all kinds of ailments in later years. I was 21. I didn't care about later years.

Then I had to attend a wedding. It was summer. I couldn't fit into my suit. Even I realized that I was going in the wrong direction. Every time I'd tried to lose the flab, I'd talk about it to friends. They'd raise an eyebrow,?give me a cryptic look, and let me know that they'd heard?that?before.

Then one Saturday I found myself at Brands Hatch with a few friends. We were on a day-long driving event. At day's end, having handed back the helmet and driving gloves we'd been loaned, when I heard the instructor say to his companion, 'That Little Fat Paddy can drive.'

Now, there was no racism here, no malice in his remark. He said it kindly. In those days, if you didn't know someone's name, Scotsmen were 'Jock', Welshmen 'Taffy', Englishmen 'Limey', and Americans 'Yank', Irishmen 'Paddy' or 'Pat'.

But the remark cut me. I felt I'd let myself down. In my eyes, I had diminished myself. The man had verbalized what I'd been denying. No one was to blame but me. It was up to?me?to do something about it.

I read and studied everything about losing the flab. I revised the Nutrition course I'd just done. I put myself on an effective exercise program. Apart from my friend and mentor, I told no one. In three months I'd lost just three stone.

I'd quietly made the decision and committed to it. My attitude was 'Just get on with it'. That was my daily mantra.

On previous occasions, I'd spoken about it to others and failed. Two things did this.

First,?I didn't care what people thought about my result. So telling others about it meant nothing to me. There was no motivation in that. However, I?was?concerned about what?I?thought about myself. So, when I decided to get rid of the body fat, it was myself to whom I became accountable.

Secondly, I believe that when we talk about a goal, we leak the need to do it, talk satisfies the need, rather than the act.

So, I was more than casually interested in a post on Linkedin recently which read; "1. If you're pursuing a goal, then avoid telling people. It releases cheap dopamine and tricks your brain into thinking you've already achieved it (lowering motivation). Move in silence."

What do YOU think? #fear#success#courage#action#determine#do#achieve#brave#mindset#attitude#practice#spirit#belief#values#vision#mission