Goals, CRAP, and the Marx Brothers

Newsletter
marx 3

Happy New Year to you all!  The New Year is a time of retrospection and to set goals for 2013.  I like Winston Churchill’s quote that, “success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”  So, you may have had some success over the past year—don’t lose your enthusiasm to be engaged in the world.  And make sure the goals that you set were appropriate.  Steve Jobs said,

request a consultation

Discover How We Assist to Edit Your Dissertation Chapters

Aligning theoretical framework, gathering articles, synthesizing gaps, articulating a clear methodology and data plan, and writing about the theoretical and practical implications of your research are part of our comprehensive dissertation editing services.

  • Bring dissertation editing expertise to chapters 1-5 in timely manner.
  • Track all changes, then work with you to bring about scholarly writing.
  • Ongoing support to address committee feedback, reducing revisions.

“Microsoft has had two goals in the last 10 years. One was to copy the Mac, and the other was to copy Lotus’ success in the spreadsheet – basically, the applications business. And over the course of the last 10 years, Microsoft accomplished both of those goals. And now they are completely lost.”

For sure, if you make goals for 2013, you’ll need a plan, and you’ll need to make some decisions to accomplish your goals.  For those of you that have been reading my newsletters for a while, you know I’m an enthusiastic TEDster and Steven Covey adherent.  Watch Richard St. John’s Secrets of Success.  He talks about (1) passion for what you’re doing–do it for love not money, (2) work (nothing comes easy), (3) get really good at something by practicing, (4) focus on one thing, (5) push yourself physically and mentally; through shyness and self-doubt, (6) serve something of value, (7) have good ideas (listen, observe, be curious, ask questions, problem solve, and make connections), and (8) persist through failure and CRAP (criticism, rejection, assholes and pressure).

Steven Covey would say that goals should focus in on several areas: social-emotional, intellectual, financial, physical, mediation, and service.  Be proactive, have the end goal(s) in mind, and then do 1st things 1st.   Be the creator of your life, see the end goal, and act to meet those goals.

One final note: Laugh more!  I sat watching “The Best of the Marx Brothers” from 1932 on YouTube this morning and I was laughing.  Even if other people think it’s corny, find something that makes you laugh, and your heart will be lighter and your world definitely happier!

I wish you all an absolutely beautiful, fulfilling 2013!

Warm regards,

Dr. James Lani