52.        I agree generally that setting new goals in small increments¹ above past
accomplishments² 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 virtues³ of setting goals in small, easily-attainable⁴ increments are undeniable.
Overwhelming challenges are reduced to readily attainable tasks. A psychological boost
is afforded by each intermediate success, helping⁵ to ensure that the achiever won't
become discouraged and give up. Each step in this process can raise one's level of
aspiration⁶, 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 aspires⁷ 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 incremental⁸ goals, but rather by a spontaneous
flash of brilliance⁹ 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 serendipity¹⁰. Third, for those who have already achieved great
things, taking baby steps toward the next goal would only frustrate¹¹ them and slow them
down. Suppose, for example, a recent gold medalist in the Olympic Games' 100-meter
sprint¹² wishes to become a member the football franchise¹³ 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 inadequate¹⁴ under certain exceptional
circumstances.

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