There are, however, a few tools that, when used together, come close to being a "secret weapon". They require no special talent or skills. They cost very little, and every school child has a complete set.

They are around us every day, yet we fail to use them, and we deprive ourselves of their power. Here is my list of Top 5 "secret" weapons of extraordinarily successful leaders:

1. 3x5 cards. Yup, I'm referring to those little cards your Mom used for recipes. Successful people use them to jot notes, keep tips, and store valuable information. I carry them everywhere, and have supplies by phone, beside my bed, and on kitchen counter. They are wonderful! They last forever - I have cards I wrote over 30 years ago! And if you accidentally leave them in your pockets, they even go through wash. (Trust me on this!)

'There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to possess it.' - Napoleon Hill (author of classic book, 'Think and Grow Rich')

'Nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until a goal is established.' - David J. Schwarz (author of 'The Magic of Thinking Big '- an excellent book by way!)

' Your life is controlled by your thoughts. Your thoughts are controlled by your goals.' - Earl Nightingale

' When we have no personal goal which we are interested in, and which means something to us, we are apt to go round in circles.' - psychologist Maxwell Maltz

'The key to peak performance is not potential or skill, but motivation and dedication....having clear performance goals and putting in training effort to achieve them.' - Dr Sven Hansen '

I would like to repeat critical importance of committing your plan to writing. It cannot be over-emphasised!' - Paul J. Meyer of Success Motivation Institute

'Learn how to set your goals: a. Write down your goals b. Give yourself a deadline c. Set your standards high.' - Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone (co-authors)

UNDERSTANDING GOALS Setting goals is first step towards ACTION. They get you into motion. The energy of motivation should be harnessed by being transformed into clear goals and a clear PLAN to achieve them. Goals are dreams which come true ...and they are far easier to achieve once they are focussed. Goals therefore help to fulfil one's PURPOSE in life by giving expression to your core inner values, 'real YOU'. Psychologists have found that helping people to develop personal goals has proved to be most effective way to help them cope with personal problems by:

1. Crystallising one's purpose in life - through adding meaning . 2. Helping make difficult decisions. 3. Giving direction to your life and keeping you on track by concentration. 4. Resolving conflict 5. Building confidence and 6. Adding to your self respect (or sense of value = self worth)

The power of imagination in goal setting comes from having BIG HOPES AND DREAMS. I believe too often we underestimate our capabilities. Use amazing power of your CREATIVE IMAGINATION to think what you REALLY WANT OUT OF LIFE.. Then visualise your dreams actually coming to pass.