12/05/2008

Goals By Zig Ziglar

K.I.S.S. When I started my sales career, one of the first things we were taught was to “Keep It Simple, Salesman.” Communicate in such a way that your message is unmistakably clear. If the message is not clear, the prospect ends up confused and confused people seldom take action.

This advice can be followed in any field of endeavor. For example, in marathon running today we utilize sports psychologists, computerized training regimens, and running shoes that are “state-of-the-art.” Perhaps all of that is necessary if you want to win the big race. I’m not denying that these things help, but Toshihiko Seko didn’t need them to win the Boston Marathon.

I was tremendously impressed a dozen years ago when Toshihiko Seko won the Boston Marathon. His training program was simplicity itself and Toshihiko explained it with twelve words: “I run ten kilometers in the morning and twenty in the evening.” At this point you probably think, “There’s a catch!” But this plan enabled him to outrun the world’s greatest, fastest, most gifted runners. When Seko was told that his plan seemed too simple when compared to that of other marathoners, he replied, “The plan is simple, but I do it every single day, 365 days a year.”

It is my conviction that most people fail to reach their goals not because their plans are too simple or too complicated. Most people don’t reach their goals because they’re not committed and willing to follow their own plans.

Many of our goals do not require detailed plans, but all of them require that we must follow the plan we have. Seko’s plan was effective because he followed it every day. You can’t get more simple than that! Follow Seko’s example, make certain your plan to reach your goal is simple, then follow it carefully. Be accountable to yourself and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
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-Interested in holding yourself accountable for achieving your goals? Why not share them here — be sure to include steps you’re planning to take to accomplish them.