52. I agree generally that setting new goals in small increments1 above past
accomplishments2 is a reliable path to achieving those goals. I think anyone would be
hard-pressed to find fault with this advice. Nevertheless, in some exceptional instances,
a more dramatic leap-frog approach may be more appropriate, or even necessary, to
achieve a significant goal.
The virtues3 of setting goals in small, easily-attainable4 increments are undeniable.
Overwhelming challenges are reduced to readily attainable tasks. A psychological boost
is afforded by each intermediate success, helping5 to ensure that the achiever won't
become discouraged and give up. Each step in this process can raise one's level of
aspiration6, and in manageable proportions that make success more likely. Moreover, this
approach can be used by anyonea sedentary office worker who decides to complete
the New York Marathon; a paralegal who wishes to become a surgeon; or a small
business owner who aspires7 to become CEO of a Fortune 500 Company.
In some instances, however, the step-by-step approach is not adequate. For
example, many great creative achievementsin art, music, and literatureare made not
by the achiever's disciplined setting of incremental8 goals, but rather by a spontaneous
flash of brilliance9 and intense creativity. Another exception to this approach is the case
of the ultra-successful actor, model, or even socialite who might suddenly leap-frog to
his or her goal through serendipity10. Third, for those who have already achieved great
things, taking baby steps toward the next goal would only frustrate11 them and slow them
down. Suppose, for example, a recent gold medalist in the Olympic Games' 100-meter
sprint12 wishes to become a member the football franchise13 that won last year's Super
Bowl. What small, incremental accomplishments are needed to achieve his goal? None,
aside from a phone call by his agent to the front office of the team. Admittedly, these are
exceptional cases: yet they do exist.
In conclusion, setting modest but increasingly higher goals is generally good
advice. Yet this approach may be inappropriate or inadequate14 under certain exceptional
circumstances.
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