Issue #176: It's Worth a Shot
May 30, 2008
It's Worth a ShotMatthew Poepsel, LeftBrain/Co-Founder
Coaching Quickie: How well do you write down and regularly reference your personal goals? Memorial Day weekend is a time for relaxation, grilling, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun. For many of us, the holiday also offers a chance to crack open a nice cold beer. Whether or not you like beer, you have to admit that this beverage is fairly popular. If you conduct even the most casual research on the subject, you'll find dozens of beer varieites, hundreds of beer brands, and millions of beer bellies. (Sir, could you please put your shirt back on? This is a family show.) One of my all-time favorite beer companies is New England's own Samuel Adams. In 1984, founder Jim Koch found a recipe for a flavorful brew in his parents' attic. This dear, sweet man went on to lovingly craft a high-quality, delicious, and frothy beer. (Sorry, I'm a huge fan.) He went on to peddle his homemade beer from bar-to-bar, and he parlayed his early success to build out the brewery. His award winning beer reportedly sold 500 barrels in his first year, and he has since expanded the Samuel Adams line with a number of full flavored seasonal and regular brews. Staying true to its roots, Samuel Adams now hosts an annual American Homebrew Contest. In this contest, everyday people can submit their own recipes to demonstrate their creative prowess as masters of the beer medium. One of my personal favorites is a 2007 winner called Weizenbock. Regular guy Rodney Kibzey from the Great State of Illinois created this Bavarian-styled beer, entered the contest, and won. Samuel Adams rewarded his effort by producing and distributing limited quantities of his masterpiece. How great is that? So what does all of this have to do with success? Don't worry - I'm getting there. Okay, if you must know, the name of the contest sheds a bit of light on how all this relates to goal achievement, and eventually your life. The contest is called LongShot. (I love it!) The name speaks to the audacity of tinkering with a homemade recipe and thinking that you even have a chance at widespread production and distribution to share your creation. In 2007, Samuel Adams received nearly 2,000 entries in its 2007 LongShot American Homebrew Contest. Wow! That's a dedicated following to be sure. And like any great culinary feat, entrants had to experiment and improve their recipes over time. The box describes how Rodney created "a few batches" before perfecting his winning entry. These early attempts probably made Rodney a popular neighbor, but they're also a testament to his determination. Here's the kicker. There were almost two thousand entries submitted by more than 1,300 would-be brewmasters. So, how many people thought about entering the contest - seriously thought about entering - but didn't actually get around to making a batch of beer? And what propelled Rodney and the other entrants to complete their mission rather than give up hope? The answer is simple: achievement starts with a worthy goal. Now, you may not be interested in entering a homemade beer contest. (I'm happy to enjoy the end result, myself.) But having a goal to direct your efforts is not simply a "nice to have". Specific goals are essential for personal success. Jim Koch had one. Rodney Kibzey had one. Goals provide us with structure, direction, accountability, and effectiveness in our efforts. Case in point: At the end of my Memorial Day weekend, I found myself in a casual conversation with my 21-year old cousin. Eventually, we got onto the subject of goals. I asked her how many of her friends want to be successful in life. "Pretty much everyone." (Duh.) And how many have written down their specific goals? "Zero." (Doh!) Talk about a long shot. How can you have one without the other? Am I to believe that these people are content to leave their success to chance, hoping that their unguided best efforts and good intentions will lead them to a better place? I don't think Jim and Rodney could go along with that philosophy. (I know I can't.) I'm hoping that my dear cousin was exaggerating, but based on similar conversations I've had, I'm not so sure. I talk to many, many people who feel that there's a sizeable gap between their current station in life and the life they believe they want. Better job, better pay, new house, more fulfilling work, college degree, lose 5 pounds, gain 10 pounds, find a mate, travel to Paris - some really great stuff! Unfortunately, I talk to very few people who have taken the time to write down specific goals around actually making these great things happen. Please don't take chances with your life's achievements. I'm serious. Stop it. If you can't reach into your desk drawer and pull out a list of 2-3 important goals, take two minutes right now and jot one down. (I'll wait here, I promise.) Use a pencil if you have one, because you can always change it later. That's totally allowed and even encouraged! Develop a regular habit of thinking about what you want out of life, making a commitment, and following through to make it happen. It's no magic formula. It's kind of obvious, really. It's just about actually doing something we all know we should do but often don't do. So do it! Being successful is hard enough as it is. Let's write down our goals and keep the LongShot in the fridge where it belongs. Considering the great things you want to do, to have, and to become in your life, don't you think that writing down your goals is worth a shot? Related Links
Brewer. Founder. Patriot. Quotes of the Week"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." "He was a wise man who invented beer." "If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose." |
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Coaching Quickie: It's Worth a ShotHow well do you write down and regularly reference your personal goals?Follow the link above to vote for your response. While you're there lend us your feedback, or share some goals with fellow readers. Check back next week for results! Last Week's ResultsCoaching Quickie: Ship Shape If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here. |
