The Power of Calling Your Shot
Why talking about your wildest goals helps you achieve them
When I set my sights on a big new goal, one of the first things I do is start blabbing about it. Not because I’m totally confident in myself but because I’m afraid that if I don’t call it, I won’t do it.
When it comes to accomplishing a major milestone — training for a marathon, getting out of credit-card debt, running for office, writing a book — the more people you share your goal with, the more likely you are to follow through. Research has even shown that when you’re accountable to another person, you’re more likely to achieve your goal. (Of course, this can backfire too, so you have to be strategic about it.)
It worked for Kim Chambers. In her early thirties, Chambers was severely injured and told she might never walk again unassisted. As part of her rehabilitation, she started swimming — and went on to become the third woman in history to complete the Oceans Seven, a series of long-distance open-water swims.
Chambers now often swims for charity and makes a public announcement each time she decides to participate in a new swim event. “I know some people like to keep things very tight to their chest before they do a swim,” she said on the Hurry Slowly podcast. “But for me, there is some accountability and a real…
