“Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals.” –Aristotle
It seems like there’s always a good amount of talk about goals and goal setting. While it may feel overdone, honestly, there’s a good reason for it. If we don’t know where we are going, how are we going to get there? Obviously it’s an issue many need help with – otherwise it wouldn’t be such a popular topic. I’ve found that the problem with goal setting for most people falls into two categories – selecting a goal and staying on course. Today’s bit of “zen” is going to focus on staying the course.
When we take a road trip, there are two methods of approach. One is to consider traveling to the destination as part of the journey and allow yourself to get distracted along the way with whatever novelties catch your eye. The other is to suck it up and just get there. Neither approach is wrong, however, depending on your situation one may the better choice at the time than the other. If you have things you need to accomplish at your destination, than the quickest path is going to be more advantageous for you. If you have nothing better to do and your trip truly is your journey, then by all means dawdle at every step.
When it comes to business, your dreams and your big plans for the future, however, dawdling can become more than just another rest stop on the road of your life. It can get in the way of real progress. It can become the excuse you use instead of confronting what you really want to do. Basically, it becomes a justification as to why you haven’t gotten where you want to be yet.
Keeping Aristotle’s words in mind, think about when you’ve been the happiest and most self-fulfilled. Chances are it’s when you were striving for a reachable goal. If you’ve fallen off track or allowed yourself to be distracted, take this time to become the navigator and captain of your own life and get back on course to attaining your dreams and desires.
