goal setting is vital to success. It is like buying a ticket to a destination. Without the
ticket, you'll have a very difficult journey, but once you've bought it, the process of getting from 'here' to 'there' is pretty much automated for you.

The difference is that the goals we set can only apply to ourselves. Goal-setting is about setting in motion a succession of small changes in our own lives and personalities. It is about making changes within ourselves.

So, for example, you can set yourself goals to be a better parent, but you cannot set YOURSELF goals to make your children study harder. You can teach them the process of goal setting and show them how studying harder can be a great goal for them to work towards, but you cannot make them follow the plan.

You can lead a horse to water ...

Similarly, business people often make the mistake of setting goals that require input from other people to be successful.

But let's be very clear - a goal is NOT a goal if any part of it demands actions that are outside of your own control.      # 8470