Imagine walking around aimlessly, without a destination in mind or a reason to be walking. So I’m taking away the mindfulness and enjoyment of just walking around. It’s not that. This is walking around not making anything of what’s around us, what’s out there. Aimless and meaningless walking. Sounds pretty boring and pointless, doesn’t it?
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.” – J.C. Penney
Now imagine walking around without a destination in mind but with the desire to take in the scenery, think our thoughts in peace, being mindful. Or imagine walking towards a destination. That would be ok, wouldn’t it? There is purpose and a goal, which aren’t in the first example.
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” ― Albert Einstein
Now imagine working everyday, 9 to 5 or longer, doing the same thing every day and not knowing why and where we are going? Why all that effort, the long hours? Yes, of course, for the money and to live, and have a home but in terms of building a career, having a purpose in your career, not knowing why we put in the hours and sweat can be demotivating. And without it, in the context of your career, where’s the excitement of waking up every morning? Where does the motivation come from? The same questions apply to other areas in life, such as relationships, friendships and things we do over and over.
“It’s better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than at the top of the one you don’t.” – Stephen Kellogg
Having a goal can really transform your career by bringing in drive and eventually success. Setting goals and having achievable outcomes are key to a successful career so that all the work that you put in, is put in towards something that you have decided to achieve.
I won’t go over how to set achievable outcomes and goals here. This will be the subject of future insights.
Take the time to stop and think if your goal is motivating you enough to take action. In considering your goal, you will identify the blockers and obstacles that might slow you down. Take the time to also stop and think of those obstacles and what you could do to alleviate them. Think of ways you might have to overcome the challenges. Those actions that you identify will become an integral part of your plan of action. The plan will contain your goal, why you want it and ensure that your goal it SMART or follows the guidelines of achievable outcomes.
“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” ― Karen Lamb
5 Important Features of Goal Setting
1. Purpose – Goals provide purpose, something to aim for.
“If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favourable.” ― Seneca the Younger
2. Accountability – Be accountable for your own goals. You shape your destiny. You can bring in other people to help or support or just cheer you on, but those people are there, on the road to your goal, as supporters or sponsors. Those people come and go but the goal remains yours for the whole journey.
“Dream your own dreams, achieve your own goals. Your journey is your own and unique.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
3. Steps – Ensure that big goals are broken down into manageable and meaningful steps so that the goal, as a whole, isn’t daunting. Divide and conquer.
“Most “impossible” goals can be met simply by breaking them down into bite size chunks, writing them down, believing them, and then going full speed ahead as if they were routine.” – Don Lancaster
4. Flexibility – We all learn while trying to do something, through experience. When on your journey to achieve your goal, be adaptable and flexible enough to make changes along the way. This will help you not only enjoy the journey but also achieve it smoothly and with a degree of realism.
“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal” – Napoleon Hill.
5. Sense of achievement – You are amazing. Having a goal and going for it can be so satisfying. The goal might be achieved or it might not, but the very fact that you have tried and learned in the process of achieving that goal, is more than most people will try in life. It shapes us for a better future through mistakes, achievements, feedback (which some choose to call failure), lessons learnt and through the steps along the way. The goal is a lot more than just the end. It’s the beginning. The beginning of a journey to self-realisation and self-love.
“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney.
And let’s all remember that, sometimes, perfectionism is the same as doing nothing. Sometimes it’s a way to remain in our comfort zone, safe and possibly still fearful to show up. So take simple, small steps at a time and celebrate every step climbed, every step; even the steps that made you fall as they allowed you to rise again and try differently or harder. And above all, it allowed you to realise that falling isn’t the end.
“Life is short, fragile and does not wait for anyone. There will NEVER be a perfect time to pursue your dreams and goals. ” – Unknown
Start dreaming. Start setting some goals now and start the discovery of what you can achieve. Start writing your journey of discovery. Start writing your success story.
I’m here to help along the way. You can ask me questions or check out my programmes. I’ll answer all your queries.
Take care.
mkelouar.com
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