I just set a new 5 year goal for myself.  Some may think it silly to be setting a 5 year goal at age 69.  What might be even sillier is that I have no doubt but that I will achieve it. 

On one hand I am humbled and blessed to think of all that I have achieved, and overcome, throughout my life. On the other hand, I believe there are some very specific ingredients that worked for me and will continue to work as I strive to achieve my next goal.  I share them with the hope that someone reading this can use these ingredients to achieve his or her goal, regardless of age.

1.  WORK HARD.  Nothing will ever replace hard work as a major force in taking one toward the goal.  Asking ones self "what can I accomplish during my workday?" rather than "what can I get out of doing during my workday?" is one noticeable difference between an achiever and a wanna-be.  Remember, if you wish to leave your footprints on the sands of time...wear work-shoes!

2. STRONG CORE VALUES.  Those traits that best describe a person and his or her ethics, guidelines or promises can often predict the outcome of ones efforts toward achieving the goal can be reduced to concise and clear core values.  A person needs only to look back upon a successful period of his life to discover his core values.  What traits obviously contributed to the successful outcome?  How would others describe the 'work ethics' or conspicuous characteristics he demonstrated. 

To help the reader understand what I mean by Core Values, I give you mine.  To Always...

...Live by the Get-by-Giving Philosophy.

...Make my clients number one goal, my number one goal.

...Live up to my standards despite temptations to lower them.

...Be willing to work toward a common good.

...Do what I say I will do.  Sometimes more, just never less.

Each person should ask themselves this question.  "Are my core values such that, if I adhere to them, I have the best chance to achieve my goal?

3. HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE.  This is a term my 'big brother' Zig has reminded me often of throughout the years.  Simply put, he says we cannot succeed to our full potential without the people in our life rooting for us.  Encouraging us to be our best.  Whether its our spouses, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers or just our closest friends, our odds of success soar when they are cheering us on and giving us our space to grow.  How do you get this?  You get by giving.  By encouraging the people closest to us; giving to our families the love and attention they want and need; and, putting their needs high on our 'to do' lists, we dramatically increase our odds of having that 'home court advantage". 

 Linda and I have been married for 46 years and I can tell you,  beyond the shadow of a doubt, without her encouragement, belief and support, I could never have achieved the success I have.  No one does it alone.  In my book "letters to Linda" www.floydwickman.com we share the 15 principles that has given each of us the 'Home Court Advantage'.

4.  TRUST GOD.  Believe that God wants the best for you.  Believe that He has a purpose for you to fulfill.  Believe that He is there in the toughest of times.  Believe that He wouldn't have given you the dreams you have if you weren't able to accomplish them.

Hope this helps.  Oh, by the way, my 5 year goal is to Speak to 100 separate 'general' audiences (other than real estate groups) on or before October 20th 2015.  Wish me success.

Love,

Floyd