I knew a fellow who took every social occasion to pitch his marketing plan to those of us that happened to occupy the same room or patio.

After a few years had elapsed, he had worn everyone out with his boundless enthusiasm for a product with zero appeal, from a consensus of viewpoints.

By repeating his goals loudly and publicly, he undoubtedly became more committed to achieving them, and each time he recited a milestone it was as if we had entered his temple of commerce, where chanting his success affirmations was strictly required.

Silencing him would have seemed like heresy.

That individual was determined, and that's a fine quality in a businessperson. But he was simply too vocal about his aspirations. By incessantly hearing his grand plans, it made me long to focus on mine, which of course were nearer and dearer to my heart.

I had a relative who tried to recruit me into joining a multi-level marketing scheme. He would do something similar, reciting the can't-miss "MOS" formula, the Math of Success.

If I only bought one tub of detergent per month for my personal use, and then I recruited two more folks to do the same, within two years everyone on earth would be working for me, and of course, for my Uncle.

To his credit, this relative finally gave up on me.

"Keeping your own counsel" as it was quaintly called in Shakespearean times, means taking an oath of silence when it comes to your plans. And I enthusiastically endorse the idea.

I think it is more empowering to achieve a task and to then show results than to promise achievement and to fall short. When I decided to attend law school, for example, I didn't share my goal of becoming a lawyer with anyone to whom I wasn't married.

After I passed the bar exam and later walked through graduation (An unusual accomplishment, but doable if you load up on units, saving a semester in residence) I sent out announcements, and that was it.

I didn't burden anyone with my intention to prepare for an additional career, and looking back, I can see how keeping my own counsel, as I became a bona fide legal counsel, served everyone's purposes.

For one thing, I didn't dissipate my energy, explaining why I had undertaken such an onerous task, especially when I was running a successful consulting practice at the same time.

And I relieved others of the urge to gossip about me and to constantly inquire:  "Are you still in LAW SCHOOL?"

Had I decided to drop out, I could have done so without losing face, or hearing: "Weren't you in LAW SCHOOL or something? What ever happened with that?"

No one can climb a mountain for you, and you certainly don't want to add the burden of  people's snooping as you painstakingly make your way to the summit.

Be determined to succeed. Use affirmations, such as "Every day in every way I'm closer and closer to my goal."

But don't move your lips. Let your accomplishments do the talking.