" Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals."
-Aristotle
Hmm, according to Mr. Aristotle this does not bode well.
Who doesn't have goals in their life?
Am I a bum? Am I aimless? Am I wishy-washy?
While I was thinking I pressed my eyes closed so hard I was seeing stars. Surely I must have one or two: Run a marathon? Nah, too cliche. Skydive before I'm forty? Everyone has this one.
Reenter the ferocious world of advertising once my kids are grown? Absolutely not!
Creative, Sarah, think creative.
My mind was still blank. Blank like the screen on your computer when you've put it to sleep at night.
Do I have no drive? Do I lack motivation? Do I sit in complacency?
I was starting to panic a little. And then I remembered something.
I once heard goal described as the destination of a journey, which made me think... I don't want to reach my destination without first appreciating the journey.
It evoked one of my favorite Chinese proverbs: "The journey is the reward".
Who on earth would have tied this to setting goals in your life? But it was as though a light bulb went off for me. A thousand watt light bulb.
Not to offend Mr. Aristotle but I wonder if he ever considered that the danger of looking out forward, reaching towards these goals in your life, is that you miss out on appreciating what is happening around you today.
The constant striving towards future goals can become such a maniacal drive for some that they lose focus on accomplishments and the things that are important to them today.
Take, for instance, Mr. Gates. This man and a buddy of his invented Microsoft in the 1970s. He's one of the world's wealthiest men. He and his company invented the MS-DOS operating system, Windows and Internet browser.
But Mr. Gates announced a few years back that he was stepping down from his day-to-day lead in the company in order to better support his charitable organization.
After all these accomplishments, after all of these incredible goals having been met, Mr. Gates realized that what was important to him was to slow down and appreciate the meaningful things around him.
His goal was no longer making money.
His goal was no longer striving to be the best businessman.
His goal was no longer to see himself on the cover of Forbes magazine.
Simply, to give of himself. This is where he wants to be today.
This isn't a criticism of any of his original goals, it's a lesson. Many of us are so focused on these future goals that we forget how to act today. We miss so much in the pursuit of goals. He seems to have changed his focus from what he can accomplish tomorrow to what he can accomplish today.
I want to make sure any goals that I create for myself are attainable each and every day (though I have to admit I am human and the thought of Mr. Gates' $75 billion is awfully tempting).
I realize I do have a goal. But it's not like dangling a carrot out in the future. It's the goal to appreciate each day, each moment. To laugh at myself and love those around me. To be the very best I can be in whatever life throws at me.
This, Mr. Aristotle, is a goal.
11 comments:
I have always hated the pressure of goals...I feel pushed...like everything is peformance and has to be measured. Thank you I appreciate your words.
A great post. I think goals of being kind today; of making somebody laugh or smile today; of giving of yourself today; of being a better you for today are grand goals.
Like you said, nothing wrong with long term goals--unless they cause us to always live for tomorrow and miss out on the wonder of today.
Wow! L-O-V-E it! I have three constant non-goal goals: To remain present in the moment (which I generally suck at); To leave things better than I found them (definitely more goal than fact); and to regularly examine my habitual inner dialog/questions to make focus/spotlight is those things that create a positive personal reality.
Thanks for helping me immensely with goals one and especially three. You are a true gift to those whose paths you cross!
Wow! great thought.
For me, goal is the happiness and satisfaction that you get, whenever you achieve what you have thought of. But Human beings are never really happy and satisfied, or we can say that they never achieve their goal. Goal and aimbition is a desire that keep changing everytime. So its better to be aimless. Like you and like me.
Good one Sarah.
anonymous - i have to agree with you about the pressure surrounding goals. it's much better to let them just happen naturally. and performance, well, i can't stand it.
john - nicely put. and i love your reinforcement of TODAY.
politi-gal - always eloquent with your words and your praise. thank you. and i can see, you definitely "get it".
nawang - i like your point that you bring up about goals and ambition constantly changing. one thing cool about setting goals like the ones we speak of is that they are permanent. they are challenges waiting to be fulfilled each and every day.
Wow this might be my favorite post of yours yet. I think goals are healthy but agree you have to live life day to day. If I accomplish the goals I have for the day my long term goals will follow. I loved the Bill Gates example.
What a great post! I started thinking of my goals and I don't have anything too focused myself. To be the best mom, friend, wife that I can be,and save as many homeless animals as possible. Not very big goals but they work for me. As usual I am with you on this.
brilliant post as always!! so very true. you know, i have started to approach every day like a blank canvas. i re-evaluate what i am wanting to achieve by checking in with how i feel that day- i try to never go off of residual goals that were what i was "wanting" yesterday; as we are ever changing and so our goals must be too!:)
sogeshirts - what an interesting point you bring up that by meeting your goals each day, your long term ones will follow. i'd never thought about it that way...
healthnut - i love your goals. so real, so noble. who can disagree with those?
aphro - i love the idea of a blank canvas, starting each day fresh. it allows such freedom and sensitivity to where you're at and what you can give each day.
very nice article
pshaik - thanks so much for dropping by. i'm glad the post said something to you.
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