The Archer’s Target
Would you like to win $100,000?
Korean archer Kim Soo-Nyung has been firing a bow since the age of six and is now the greatest archer of our time. She has won four gold medals, one silver and one bronze across three Olympic Games.
What would you say if I guaranteed you’d beat her in an archery competition of my arranging? Three arrows each, one target each. Interested?
I’d give you that guarantee if Kim Soo-Nyung agreed to my conditions – she must be blindfolded and disoriented before she shot her arrows. Being able to see your target will give you such a significant advantage, I’d guarantee the win. I’d even bet $100,000 on it.
All the engineers in the world couldn’t put a winning bow in the hands of someone who doesn’t know where their target is.
The target gives the archer purpose. It is their desired outcome. It is something at which to direct their focus and energy as well as sight. All their training, equipment, preparation, etc. are geared toward landing the arrow precisely where they aim. All the engineers in the world couldn’t put a winning bow in the hands of someone who doesn’t know where their target is.
The Engineer’s Target
Goals (professional, personal, physical, mental, etc.), are no different from an archer’s target. Goals give you a clear purpose and focal point. Having a visible goal toward which you can channel each day’s efforts gives you a significant advantage over those who are without one. Just like your advantage over the blind-folded Olympian. What if Kim Soo-Nyung’s target wasn’t even there? Now I’d bet $1million on your victory.
Have you set any clear goals recently? How do you expect to win with nothing at which to aim?
