Goals are a blueprint to your dreams, desires and wants. They serve as plans for your future.
Yet, as Robert Hastings so aptly described in his poem “The Statement,” most people set their visions on the destination.
When I put the kids through college …
When I pay off the mortgage ...
When I reach retirement age ...
… I shall live happily ever after!
Sooner or later, we must realize there is no destination or end. The true joy of life is the trip.
So stop waiting for your ship to come in. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less. Life must be lived as you go along.
Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. So set your goals realistically high.
When coaching, I ask people about their passion and the direction they want to go. If they’re stuck, I often rely on one of three questions to get ideas moving.
1. What would you do if you only had 6 months to live?
Outside of vacationing and tearing through their bucket list, I want to see what jumps out, besides getting up at 6 a.m. and driving to the same office for the next 15 years.
2. What would you do if you just won the lottery?
You probably wouldn’t have to work for finances. But would you still do what you’re doing today? Or would you maybe go back to school to become a vet or work with a nonprofit?
3. If your younger self -- say around 13 or 14 years old -- was sitting down with your current self, how would that conversation go?
Would your younger self be happy with how your life turned out? Would your younger self wonder why you steered away from what you were passionate about as a child?
With the last question, acknowledge the growth you made and the challenges you faced. But look at whether you’re happy or unsatisfied with where you’re at today.
This is where a conversation between choice and excuse can come into play. Have you been proactive in working on your winning formula? Or have you fallen back on excuses as to why you’re where you are today?
While this conversation can be painful or sad, it is meant to raise your ceiling and recharge yourself.
So create that picture for your life again. Get refocused, go after what you want and do the work. Because while hope can get you started, sweat and effort is what makes your dreams a reality.