Even though I’m a big believer in setting audacious goals, I always have a plan B in mind as well, even if it’s way in the back of my mind. The key, of course, is to make sure plan B doesn’t become the default position or completely sabotages plan A (A = audacious, of course). Good can become the enemy of great, as you well know. This applies to all areas of life, including relationships, business, career, hobbies, health, etc.

For a plan A lesson, if you’ve ever studied history, perhaps you’ll recall that the Spanish acquisition of the Aztec Empire in 1521 was one of the most important campaigns in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. I’ve heard people refer to this story as a life lesson for all of us, even today. One of the events was when Cortez grounded his 11 ships to prevent his colony from turning back from the new world. He had invested considerable resources and took on large debt in order to build those ships and undertake the expedition.

Sometimes that’s what it takes to achieve your audacious goal. Have you had any moments like this where you sacrificed much in order to focus on a goal? Read the rest of this entry »