Let’s play a little game, shall we?
Take out a piece of paper and write down 5 names of people whom you think are outstanding goal achievers. People whom you believe can achieve any goal, whether or not if their life depended on it. Yes, any goal. Just write them down. They can be people you know personally, characters from the “Chicken Soup for The Soul” like inspirational book or movies you’ve just gone through. Or a famous personality you’ve always admired. And don’t be too worried if you think those you’ve named aren’t outstanding in other people’s eyes. It’s your opinion that matters.
Done?
Cool. Now, go through those 5 names and write down the reasons why you think they’re outstanding goal achievers. Is it because they never fail to accomplish what they’ve set their sights on? Or because they’re currently very happy, wealthy and successful - whatever your definition of success is? Go on, just keep writing.
When I first worked on this list - pretty much the same time as I wrote this article - I was kind of surprised at my own answers, realizing how intricately they were linked to my current values in life. I value true supportive friends, love my family, treasure my faith, and am beginning to develop a growing interest in humanity. All those seem to reflect in my answers. What about yours? What does your list reveal about your current outlook in life?
Let me share a little more about these 5 people in my list :
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My High Flying Financial Planner Friend
This friend of mine has been a great inspiration. Although we do have conflicting opinions about certain aspects of life in general, I’ve always admired her tenacity to achieve the things she pan out in her life. A plump and unattractive teenager in high school, she silenced all critics - usually the nasty jeering boys in her class - after losing almost 44 pounds through regular exercise and a strict diet. She changed so much physically that all her ex high school classmates couldn’t recognize her.
When I met up with her again in my University days, I was also shocked for words. The ugly duckling turned in a beautiful swan! With her new image, she grew very confident and accomplished her second major goal in her life. She found - and later married - her soul mate. Years later, she quit her high paying government job to work in the financial planning industry, doing so well in the first year that she became one of the top 3 rookies in her agency!
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My Very Own Sister
I grew up in a large family and being the youngest child, I’ve always had utmost respect for my elder siblings. Especially my 4th sister. She’s the one who taught me about valuing the opportunities in life because of the missed chances I see in hers. My parents were about to send her overseas for studies when they eventually aborted it due to financial considerations.
But she didn’t let it sabotaged her right to the goal. She worked full-time and took night classes. After her diploma, she went on to get her masters in Marketing and became the first in our family to graduate with one! However, that wasn’t the main thing she impressed me. At the age when most people would’ve given up, she persisted in her search for a life partner and finally got married last year. Yes, she’s that determined! And I’m truly happy for her.
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My Spiritual Mentor In Life
A critical family event happened last year made me ponder seriously about the deeper issues of life. Spirituality, mortality and stuff. It was during that time that I got acquainted with my spiritual mentor in life.
Even though I’ve never met him in person, through his books and guidances, he taught me to view life in a totally different way, deflecting from my own self-centred angle towards a higher cause. After finding out how he challenged the odds to propagate the faith and respond to his mentor’s call for world peace, I began to understand what Napoleon Hill meant when he wrote that “desire is the starting point of all achievement… “. Because I certainly see it in him. Very passionate. Very powerful.
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Helen Adams Keller
If you’re from the States, I’m sure you’ll be very familiar with Helen Keller. When I first featured her story on Goal Setting College, I knew nothing about her. But it was that same ignorance that really made me appreciate her indomitable spirit. Especially since one of my own sisters was partially deaf, I could understand to a certain extent, the difficulties she went through. So much so, that I actually cried when I wrote down my thoughts. She was not just an outstanding goal achiever in most people’s eyes, she was truly an epitome of (wo)mankind!
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Mahatma Gandhi
One commenter wrote in my featured inspirational story about Gandhi that he hated him for spoiling India. I admit my lack of knowledge about South Asian history got the better of me. I was bewildered and asked the commenter for the reason. He never replied.
But months later, another gracious reader tuned in and clarified the air. His comment affirmed my impression that as an outstanding goal achiever, there will be times when your pursuit of certain goals get challenged. It may not even be popular. But as long as you truly believe in its benefits for others (and yourself), do it with zest and conviction. Just like what Gandhi did for the best of humanity and India. He believed and he went for it. He might not have won the hearts of all people. But he certainly won mine.
That’s it! These are my choices. What about yours? Let me know in the comments!