I HOPE THIS FOR YOU

"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise."

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) Spanish novelist/dramatist/poet

Relying solely on hope is every bit as bad as having no hope at all.

The sweet spot is finding balance between the two, along with having a plan to make true what you hope to happen.

JUDGE ME ON WHAT I (PLAN TO, WANT TO, ALMOST) DO?

"Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks,  feels, or believes."

Unknown Source

Supposed intentions are no substitute for what we actually do.

If they were, I'd be a saint.

How about you?

SO IT CAN'T BE DONE. HOW WILL WE DO IT?

"I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done."

Henry Ford

Late 19th/early 20th century American industrialist

While important, problem identification is only half of problem solution.

The smaller half.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

"We tend to get what we expect."

Norman Vincent Peale

20th century Protestant preacher/author

If, as I do, you believe this is generally true, the next thing you should do is reexamine your expectations.

This Isn't What I thought It Would Be

"If we do not change our direction we are likely to end up where we are headed."

Chinese proverb

Which is not a bad thing as long as where we are headed is where we want and need to go.

Unfortunately that often isn't the case.

Be certain of your destinations (goals) before you invest time and money trying to reach them.

The Best Intentions Are Often Only That

"Tomorrow every fault is to be amended; but tomorrow never comes."

Benjamin Franklin

18th century American statesman/inventor/philosopher

Intentions that remain only that are of little value.

What matters is accomplishments.

What Do You Want?

"Unless you have definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you."

Zig Ziglar

20th/21st century American author/salesman/motivational speaker

There's much more to achieving personal and professional goals than this but if you don't do this, or if you do it incorrectly, none of the rest of it matters.

They're Not Called Obstacles For Nothing

"Obstacles are things a person sees when he take his eyes off his goal."

E. Joseph Crossman

Businessman

Initially this sort of inspires you doesn't it?  Makes you want to move ahead no matter what lays in your path.  The problem is, things just aren't that simple.

Just as you will certainly crash if all you do while driving is concentrate on where you want to go, so too will you fail in business if you do not identify and attempt to neutralize the obstacles that can block your success.

With due respect to Mr. Crossman I suggest an alternative:  Obstacles are things a person needs to identity and remove so they can continue on to their goal.

Big and Small: Balancing the Best of Both

"Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Poet

We need both small and big dreams but the big ones can get in the way of living the small ones, while too much of the small leaves little time to aspire for more.

Whether in personal or business matters, how best to find the right balance?