The reading and writing schedule that I've set for myself is brutal.
We're just getting started here though, and I'm committed to do what it
takes.

In fact, this ties in nicely with the current chapter, called "What's Your Mission?"

I tried to define how I'll write these as clearly and specifically as
possible, to give myself a framework. Now that I know what to expect of
myself--and what my readership expects of me, there's considerable
pressure to get it done on time.

Speaking of readership, a couple of you have asked that I quote, and
then expound on the quote. Up until now, I've been writing my thoughts
in one block, and then putting the quotes that I liked in another
block. I'm going to try the more integrated approach for a while. If it
reads more easily, and I can write it as well, then I'll stick with it.
(Thanks for the suggestion, Leon!)

Within these Book Club posts, when you see text in quotations, you can
assume that it is from the book and chapter currently being discussed,
unless otherwise stated. Let's get started!

"The more specific you are about what you want to do, the easier it becomes to develop a strategy to accomplish it."

I'm learning this principle in real time. In November of last year, I
had Blake over in my office and we were discussing the idea of this
site in-depth for the first time. He and I laid out a goal schedule
that, I'm amazed to realize, we are on track with so far.

But already we're ahead of ourselves, because the book has us rewind a bit:

"Before you start writing down your goals, you'd better know what your
dream is. Otherwise, you might find yourself headed for a destination
you never wanted to get to in the first place."

This really rings true to me, and I think it goes well with the following quote:

"We all have our own loves, insecurities, strengths, weaknesses, and
unique capabilities. And we have to take those into account in figuring
out where our talents and desires intersect. That intersection is what
I call your "blue flame"--where passion and ability come together. When
that blue flame is ignited within a person, it is a powerful force in
getting you where you want to go."

My Blue Flame, in case you're wondering, is Entrepreneurship. I love
it. I love talking about it. I love meeting entrepreneurs and
challenging prospective entrepreneurs to get moving on their dreams.
Eventually, I'll be one of the world's foremost authorities on
entrepreneurship. I also have strong interests in technology. Where the
two come together is a particularly interesting area for me.

The next part of this chapter, sadly, is too large and important for me
to cover here. Mr. Ferrazzi here lays out what he calls a "Networking
Action Plan," or NAP. It is a step-by-step plan of attack for setting appropriate goals and achieving them, using resources that everyone has.

This alone is likely to be the most valuable portion of the entire
book, and it justifies the price of the book on its own merits. A good idea with a clear plan of execution can change your life in incredible ways.

Finally:

"This is very powerful and perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of
having clear goals--there are hidden opportunites waiting to be
accessed in everyone if you just tell them what you want."