Most begin a planning process with some ambitious goals and targets.

They're fueled by this desire.

And then they, of course, imagine that they're going to hit the ground running and achieve success.

But anyone who spend any time in the jungle knows there are far too many ups and downs to rely purely on the benefits of a goal.

You must have a standard of perfection to hold yourself to, regardless of your goals.

Your goals must be embedded and nestled within the bosom of a grand standard,

one that serves to discipline you and keep you on track, regardless of the triumphs or failures.

Stoic philosopher Epictetus said it best.

He says, who exactly do you want to be?

What kind of person do you want to be? What are your

personal ideas? Whom do you admire? What are the special traits that you would make your own?

It's time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be

wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become if you have a daybook

write down who you're trying to be so that you can refer to this self-definition

precisely describe the demeanor you want to adopt so that you may preserve it

when you are by yourself or with other people.

Goals are important, but goals come and go.

For those who achieve at the highest level, they don't settle for a goal. Their goal is to systematically dominate, and that means having a standard of performance.

San Francisco's 49ers coach Bill Walsh also said it best.

He said there's an ebb and flow and up and down in every significant endeavor at every

level. I cut through that ebb and flow in up and down in every significant endeavor at every level.

I cut through that ebb and flow with the standard of performance.

...