their plates are already over-full. Then there are those who would rather let someone else go through the line for them. They say they don’t really care what they get. However, when they get their plates, they’ll complain about what they got (and didn’t get) anyway.


Still another type will be so busy watching what and how much of everything everyone else is getting that he doesn’t know he’s missed his favorites until he’s passed them. Again, everyone used the same amount of energy to move through the line. But the only ones who achieved their goal (a pleasant meal) were those who decided what they wanted, concentrated on these dishes, recognized they had room on their plates for only some things, and recognized that going slowly the first time might save them an extra trip.


WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT? I suggest a step-by-step approach to determine which of your goals is re- ally the most important to you. Take one piece of paper for each goal, dividing it into pro and con columns. As you list all the advantages and disadvantages of achieving this goal, give each idea a rating from 1 to 10, with 10 signifying something you think is highly important to you. If you want a promotion – which will mean a pay increase (7) and more prestige (8), but will also mean more travel (8) and less time with your fam- ily (10) – you end up with a score of 15 for and 18 against. With a score this close, leaning


toward the negative, you may only think this promotion is what you want. However, a concrete image of what you can expect – both pro and con, after accomplishing this particular goal – will make your decision easier and more realistic.


Once you have decided upon your number one goal, it is important to follow through. Following are some brief examples that show how failures happen when your energy is not con- centrated on a single aim:


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• A tennis player is interested in his appearance more than his per- formance; his attention is on the crowd, not the game.


• An auto worker makes more mis- takes, or is careless, on Mondays and Fridays; he is thinking about or recovering from the weekend.


• A person with a heart condition is put on a diet but gains weight again; he is still meeting appetite goals, not health goals. Obviously, if an athlete tries to


throw a javelin with his right hand, shot-put with his left, and play soccer with his feet, he’ll fail at all three! You probably have at least three goals you’re working on right now. Think about it! Let’s say you have decided on your major goal and are really concen- trating on it. But you’re still having problems. You may have too many obstacles in the way. An adventurous jungle safari may be a life-long dream, but it won’t be fun if it produces more anxiety than pleasure. Fears of vacci- nation, snake bites, or attacks by wild animals may have to be overcome before making this trip a realistic goal.


THE RIGHT USE OF ENERGY Next you must recognize that the extra energy needed to meet your goal must come from other areas. You will need to sacrifice time and put aside other aims. This is much easier if your goal is your own and not someone


else’s. If you paint the house because it’s good exercise or will look nice, you’ll finish quickly. It won’t matter that you didn’t mow the lawn and wash the windows. On the other hand, if your spouse (or your neighbors or mother- in-law) made the decision, you’ll lack the internal drive to keep going. You’ll do other chores you’d rather do, or take lots of breaks. The house may never get completely painted! To benefit from “the right use of


energy,” you need to recognize some basic energy rules and use them to your own advantage: 1. Energy goes into what seems most important – so decide what is most important.


2. Energy is limited – so concentrate on one goal.


3. Energy for one goal is taken from others – so recognize the pros and cons and be realistic.


4. Energy is used regardless of di- rection – so change “I don’t care” and “I don’t know” to “I know” and “I care.”


5. Energy is nontransferable – so recognize the differences be- tween your goals and others’ goals for you. On the road to success, you can idle, go in circles, or reach your destination. Each uses the same amount of energy – but deciding what you want, then pursuing it, is the first step toward a long journey of achievement. 


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