How I Learned to Set Goals from Looking at the History of Japan

After World War II Japan was war torn and devastated. They were a nation that had lost an incredibly high percentage of its young men. The cities were in ruins and had been bombed out. However in 1950, they got together (industry and government) and set a goal. These are the goals they set and unbelievably accomplished in order. They planned to accomplish each of these goals within 10 years.

1950 - They wanted to become the #1 nation in the world in the production of textiles. In 1959 they accomplished their goal.

1960 - They wanted to now be the #1 nation in the world in the production of steel. How would they be able to do this in a country with no iron or coal of any significance within there country? This seemed like an absurd goal. However they still reached that goal in 1969.

1970 - The Japanese set another goal and said they wanted to be the #1 nation in the world in the production of automobiles. Unfortunately they did not complete that goal until one year later in 1970, but that did not stop them from creating another goal!

1980 - The Japanese wanted to become the #1 nation in the world in the production of computer and electronics.They also had accomplished that goal.

As you can see, setting goals can make anything possible. No matter how bad your situation is you have to write your goals down. You have to put a date on it and you have to identify your obstacles. You need to identify the people and groups you need to work with, you have to find out what it is you need to know, you have to develop your plan of success, and again, you gotta write it down. This is the formula for success.

If I were to ask you what 3 x 3 was, I can bet that there isn't a single person reading this article who could not instantly answer it. However if I were to ask you what 5,126 x 2,179 is, most of you wouldn't be able to to give me the answer just as quick. But if I were to say to you get your pencil and paper and figure it out, then all of you could figure it out. Why? Because you know the formula. If you know the formula, it really doesn't make a difference of what the goal really is.

The Formula

1. Write down the objective

2. Put the time when you will complete the goal

3. Identify obstacles you need in completing the goal

4. Identify the people, the groups, and the organizations that you need to work with to you accomplish your goal.

5. Devise a plan of action to do it