I'm conflicted about ridiculous goals. I believe in them, and I admire people who set them, but I admit to erring on the side of achievable goals. They make me feel better, especially when I cross them off my list.

But ridiculous goals are definitely where the money is, where the excitement is, where the fun is.

I have some experience with ridiculous goals.

• Transitioned from a Certified Public Accountant to a best-selling author.

• Led a team to create the #1 country music media property in the world.

• Launched two successful humans off to college.

RIDICULOUS GOALS WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE.

Ridiculous or practical, the mechanics of accomplishing any goal are the same. They are not complicated. If you can follow a recipe, you can achieve your goals. Set a date, break big dreams into small steps, take action, measure, repeat.

It's the 'take action' part that most people miss, but that's another topic for another day.

However, before you make the list and put dates in the calendar, you need to gather your ingredients. There are only three: Vision, Skills, and Network.

When those three come together, you can get anything and everything done.

Vision

This one is tricky, and there are two pieces.

First, what do you really want?

Seriously, do you know? Because most of the people I work with don't really know quite what they want. They don't yet know their Wild and Crazy Why.

Without the big dream, the noble cause, the end result that is so much larger than you that you're actually okay if you don't achieve it because even moving toward that goal is crazy success?

Second, are you the person to accomplish this particular big thing?

Are you the person who will rise above the challenges and circumstances? Are you the person who will persevere? Are you the person with the will and drive to make this vision your life's work?

So deep, right?

But it's important to ask yourself these questions. It's important to make that vision as large as possible. So much larger than yourself.

Don't worry if you're not yet the person to bring this vision to life. You can become her. But only after you cast a vision for her.

Skills

Let's assume you know what you want, and you've convinced yourself you're the one to do it. Despite your planning, intention, and action, if you do not have the right skills you won't get very far.

Invest in understanding what skills you need to get a particular thing done. And then invest in acquiring those skills.

Whether or not you achieve your goal, the skills you build in the process are yours to keep. Warren Buffet believes this is the best investment anyone can make:

Generally speaking, investing in yourself is the best thing you can do. Anything that improves your own talents; nobody can tax it or take it away from you. They can run up huge deficits and the dollar can become worth far less. You can have all kinds of things happen. But if you’ve got talent yourself, and you’ve maximized your talent, you’ve got a tremendous asset that can return ten-fold.

Network

You'll need help to accomplish any ridiculous goal. So once you've clarified your Vision and assessed your Skills, it's time to figure out who might be able to help.

Don't get discouraged if you don't have the right network, YET. Some of us are born into great networks. Some of us acquire them through school, work, or social association. Most of us have to artfully assemble the right people to help us reach our goals.

I know some people detest the idea of networking. They think it's inauthentic and self-serving. I promise if it feels that way, you're doing it wrong. Here are two ways to do it right.

First, always offer to do something for someone else. It's so simple. Ask a new acquaintance about their goals. Get them talking. Then offer to help them in some specific way.

Second, when you're in one of those uncomfortable 'networking' situations. Find the person in the room that is all alone. They feel just as uncomfortable as you do. Go say hello. You will make a best friend. Maybe not for life, but certainly for the duration of the event. Because you just made them feel so comfortable, and not alone. You've already proven to be a valuable contact.

Next time you make a ridiculous goal, check yourself.

• Are you clear on your Vision?

• Do you have the right Skills?

• How do you need to build your Network?

Then goal, Baby, goal!

Do you need help to clarify your Why, develop communications skills, or build a better network? I can help.