You often hear that even for what, on the surface, appears to be a negative situation you should look for the positive. You can also look for ways to turn a negative situation into a positive one and this is exactly what Serena Williams is aiming to do.In 2009, the Grand Slam Committee fined Serena Williams a record $82,500 for her outburst at a US Open line judge. In addition, she was fined $10,000 from the US Tennis Association bringing the total fine to $92,500. So she has set herself a $92k Mission to raise $92k in 92 days.
The money will go towards the work of her foundation - The Serena Williams Foundation - which educates and helps men, women and children so that they have a "fighting chance" to be successful in life. She has already built a secondary school in South Africa and will be opening a second school this spring.
One way in which the funds will be raised is through a series of auctions of sports memorabilia on eBay such as the Air Max trainers worn by Serena Williams during the 2009 Australia Open. I personally think the $92k Mission is a good idea and I'm sure that she will reach her target.
Notice though that I said I thought it was a "good idea". You see, I think that for someone, like Serena Williams, who is well-connected and who has a huge fan base that this goal is far too easy. It's not a stretch for her and I'm sure that there are many individuals who would agree with me. Now if she were planning to raise $92k in 92 hours that would be more interesting.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to belittle what Serena Williams is doing - far from it. As a result of her foundation hundreds of disadvantaged young people will gain a secondary education and that is absolutely fantastic.
But now what of you?
What challenge have you set yourself this year? Think of specific goals in each area of your life and then ask yourself which one would have the greatest impact on your life. That's a great goal to start with.
Your goal should both excite and scare you. Your goal should not be something you know how to accomplish. You'll discover how you can manifest your goal as you progressively work towards it. Your goal should be something that is definitely worthy of you.
You may be thinking though that you've set big goals in the past and haven't achieved them. And, if this is the case, you may be feeling that it's pointless to set another big goal because you'll only be setting yourself up for failure.
I'll let you in on a secret.
No one achieves all their goals.
No one.
True, some people have a better track record for goal achievement than others but even the individuals that you perceive as being very successful have endured a string of failures. These individuals may have chalked up more successes than you and they've probably chalked up more failures than you as well in the process.
In fact, this is part of the secret to their success. They were prepared to fail but when they did so their aim was to do so quickly, learn from the experience and move on. So as you strive towards your goal know that everything you try will not be a success but that if you continue to correct your actions as a result of the feedback you've learnt from your failures, you will eventually be successful.
And it's interesting to note that when you eliminate overall failure as an option that it is then magic starts to happen.
Serena Williams has set herself a 92 day challenge but what if we were to extend that time frame to 100 days?
What challenging goal could you achieve in 100 days?
One thing is certain. Whatever goal you've set yourself, you're not going to be able to achieve it alone. You need a support system.
One of my mentors, Gary Ryan Blair, the author of Everything Counts, has an excellent program called the 100-Day Challenge that will support you step-by-step as you progress towards your goal.
Watch the video below for a brief introduction to the 100-day Challenge and then click the link below for full details and be prepared to make 2010 a truly extraordinary year:
100-Day Challenge
