First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end. –Aristotle

Success is not an accident or an incident.  It is an endeavor full of hard work and obstacles. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher who graced this earth almost 2500 years ago, is clear and explicit in what it takes to reach a goal.

Achieving Goals: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

First, you will need a goal that is beyond mundane and offers necessary motivation and enthusiasm.  Try to come up a goal that means something and matters to you.  Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, and Time-bound) tenets to define your goals.

Then you will need to clearly understand your current strengths and weaknesses and what it takes to you achieve your goal, and the gaps thereof. If you are not honest in this exercise, you will not get to your goal and achieve the success you are dreaming.

For example, becoming a doctor requires years of formal education and on the job training (residency).  If you account for such requirements, it will be a shock midway through.  And similarly, if your dream is to head a sales force, you will need sales skills as well as leadership competencies to manage a team.

And yet other goals require other things. For example, if your goal is to climb Kilimanjaro, you will need a clear view of the physical prowess and mental fortitude.

And assuming you know your goal and have the means to get there, are you willing and able to give it your heart and soul?  It is one thing to say this is my goal and then preparing for it but an entire matter to stick with that goal through the trials and tribulations. And also the temptations of other shiny objects that will take our mind away from the singular pursuit of our vision.

So, do you know your north star?  Do you have the necessary means for achieving goals, and if not, how will you get them? Finally, are you willing to solely focus on achieving goals without distractions?