Do you have a really challenging goal you want to accomplish either in your career or personal life? If so, I want to help you by sharing a story and putting you on to some reading I know will help you.

I am coaching an outstanding associate who will be eligible for promotion to partner in three years. He is with an entrepreneurial law firm, so he will be expected to be bringing in business by that time. I asked him:

I want you to honestly answer this for me, ok? Assuming the economy is not totally in the tank and there is business out there, do you honestly believe that you can bring in $500,000 in business in the year (2015) you will be considered for promotion? Be honest with me.