Winners Don’t Quit: A Plan for Sustained Leadership and Innovation - Transforming Your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation - page 168

Yes, you can still “learn” to see yourself attaining your goals. The first step
has been completed: you've written them down. Step two involves taking five
minutes right now to close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving this goal.
Step three involves you speaking your goal out loud - to yourself. Don't mumble.
Speak it clearly, loudly, and with confidence. The fourth step is to tell someone.
Tell a trusted friend or mentor of the goal you've set for yourself - and really
tell it! To “really tell it” differs from just “telling it” in that you speak with con-
fidence, enthusiasm, and detail. Explain why it's your goal, how you arrived at it
and what it means to you to attain it. Consider the example below of my vision:
Pamela telling it : “I have a goal of inspiring people and helping them achieve
their dreams.”
Pamela really telling it : “Ever since I was a little girl gazing up at the stars
from my grandmother's back yard I have believed in dreaming big. I dreamed
of being a doctor, an astronaut, and a television star! As hopeful as I was about
my goals, when I was a young woman I was tested; I had several difficulties,
made many bad choices, and put myself in situations that could have stopped
me from achieving my goals. However, I learned that there's always a way
out - if we will believe. Believe, work, and act. I also learned that there is
something within each of us, when sparked by a passion and knowledge of the
possible - that drives us forward no matter how dark a situation may be or how
many times you've failed, or even if no one else believes in you. You can still
make it happen. Success is not a mystery. My goal is to help millions of people
realize this and attain their dreams. This is totally possible and can be done by
helping them to understand how powerful they are and how bright their futures
can be - this is real. With knowledge, commitment, work, and the right mix
of resources we can do the impossible. My goal is to provide the inspiration,
guidance, and tools to help anyone who's willing to believe move from dreams
to a great reality!”
Stop for a moment and think about how you “felt” when you read each
of those descriptions of my goal. Ask yourself, which of these descriptions of
my goal gave you the most confidence that I would achieve it? Ask yourself,
which of these descriptions sounded like the most confident person? By now,
you should be getting the picture of how powerful it is for you and everyone
who will support you to hear you “really telling it.” It makes a difference. Now
take some time to really tell it!!
Much of what was shared in the previous chapters will contribute to the
development of, and the formalization of, your goals. Take time to plan,
understand what you will need to do, prepare, and make a commitment to
the execution of your plan. I recognize that planning comes easier for some
than others, but most STEM professionals have experience with planning
at some point in their life. Learn how to organize yourself and plan ahead,
but keep up that “winners don't quit” mindset, and make sure to carry out
the plan.