52.        I agree generally that setting new goals in small increments above past
accomplishments is a reliable path to achieving those goals. I think anyone would be
hard-pressed to find fault with this advice. Nevertheless, in some exceptional instances,
a more dramatic "leap-frog" approach may be more appropriate, or even necessary, to
achieve a significant goal.
      The virtues of setting goals in small, easily-attainable increments are undeniable.
Overwhelming challenges are reduced to readily attainable tasks. A psychological boost
is afforded by each intermediate success, helping to ensure that the achiever won't
become discouraged and give up. Each step in this process can raise one's level of
aspiration, and in manageable proportions that make success more likely. Moreover, this
approach can be used by anyone—a sedentary office worker who decides to complete
the New York Marathon; a paralegal who wishes to become a surgeon; or a small
business owner who aspires to become CEO of a Fortune 500 Company.
      In some instances, however, the step-by-step approach is not adequate. For
example, many great creative achievements—in art, music, and literature—are made not
by the achiever's disciplined setting of incremental goals, but rather by a spontaneous
flash of brilliance and intense creativity. Another exception to this approach is the case
of the ultra-successful actor, model, or even socialite who might suddenly leap-frog to
his or her goal through serendipity. Third, for those who have already achieved great
things, taking baby steps toward the next goal would only frustrate them and slow them
down. Suppose, for example, a recent gold medalist in the Olympic Games' 100-meter
sprint wishes to become a member the football franchise that won last year's Super
Bowl. What small, incremental accomplishments are needed to achieve his goal? None,
aside from a phone call by his agent to the front office of the team. Admittedly, these are
exceptional cases: yet they do exist.
      In conclusion, setting modest but increasingly higher goals is generally good
advice. Yet this approach may be inappropriate or inadequate under certain exceptional
circumstances.