The School Leader’s Weekly Book Spotlight

Week of August 30, 2020: Goals! How To Get Everything You Want - Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible by Brian Tracy 

Leadership Principle #1: Activate Your Subconscious Mind

Have you ever driven down the highway after purchasing a new car and all of a sudden noticed your same make and model everywhere? When my Dad bought a Ford Explorer a few years ago, I remember distinctly riding down the interstate with him and thinking to myself, I have never seen so many Explorers on the road. In fact, we would point out one Explorer after another - amazed at how many were on the roads. 

Were there more Explorers out on the roads than before? No. The difference was that our minds were looking for Explorers. So it found them and thus, we noticed them. Before, we didn’t notice them. Yet they were always there. 

The same happens with our goals. We need to activate our subconscious minds so that it identifies opportunities connected to our goals. This way we see them. Otherwise, they would just ‘drive on by’ - undetected.

Leadership Principle #2: Get Clear on Your Goals

Aim high and get crystal clear. 

“There are no real limits on what you can accomplish, except for the limits you place on your mind and imagination.” - Brian Tracy 

Our minds have to know what to look for. We have to identify clear, tangible goals.

I like the strategy of SMART goal setting - goals that are:  

Specific

Measurable

Achievable 

Relevant

Time-bound

Goals should be specific - such that we can see and feel them. They should be attached to measurable outcomes, thereby allowing us to identify progress along the way and ultimate achievement. Goals should be ambitious and yet achievable (be careful not to limit your future by watering down your goals). Further, goals should be related to your passions and within your strength-zones. This requires honesty and self-awareness. Ask yourself, with hard work, what could I be among the best in the world at? And finally, your goals must have a due-date attached to them. Consistency and urgency are closely related. 

Additional tip: share your SMART goals with someone else so that person can encourage you, while holding you accountable to consistent progress. 

Leadership Principle #3: Supercharge Your Growth By Investing in Relationships 

“Your ability to form the right relationships, with the right people, at every stage of your life and career, will be the critical determinant of your success and achievement, and will have an inordinate impact on how quickly you achieve your goals” (p. 161). 

We simply cannot achieve big goals by ourselves. We need others. Specifically, we need to surround ourselves with others who can connect us within our industry and motivate us to higher levels of excellence.

Is your network reflective of your ambition?