urban legend by world-class gurus...

Zig Ziglar used it; Brian Tracy used it; Anthony Robbins used it.

The study has been widely cited. It tracked the achievement of Class 1953 graduates of Yale University and found that those 3% with written goals at the time of graduation subsequently did better in their lives.

The staff at Fast Company Magazine did the digging and found that the 'study' didn't exist. An urban legend.

Interesting. A study that didn't even exist has over the years spread all over the world and motivated peoples around the globe. So if my guess is right, there'll be plenty of people who are ready to defend those gurus.

Even if it's not real story, it wasn't their fault. Plus the story has value, etc, etc.

Turned out that what we want is not truth; what we want is story that sounds true and, more importantly, makes us feel better. Marketers know all these very well.

What your humble blogger here thinks?

No blaming here...but no matter how sincerely and passionately they want to help others...consciously or unconsciously, the gurus know it's business.