Goals setting: is it relevant

I just watched an awesome video by Cath Duncan on

Is Traditional Goal Setting Broken. You’re a fool if you don’t click through and watch it! Not only does she have some great stuff to say, she’s easy on the eyes to boot!

Cath brings up some great stuff. She talks about goals being specific, but the problem being most of us don’t have the foggiest idea what it is we really want. I have to admit that I just came up with a goal for myself this morning. I hate the alarm and I want to get up when I want to get up. I want to go to bed when I want, work when I want. I don’t want a “boss” telling me what to do. I never realized that before yesterday morning.

Then there is focus. Goals teach us to be focused, even hyper-focused on what it is we want to accomplish. Now I think focus is a great thing. Without it, we tend to ramble and wander; at least I do. The opposite side to this is that we become so focused that the world could come to an end and we wouldn’t have noticed until we look up and see that everybody is gone except us.

In meditation, I was taught to become unattached. I struggled with this concept for a while. What it means is that we can have goals and dreams, but we should not become so attached to them that we don’t notice the world going on around us.

Let me give you an example. Suppose you want to lose weight. You set up a goal of twenty pounds and the plan is to run five nights a week until the twenty is lost. Your daughter, who is on the tennis team at school, is asking you to practice with her twice a week so that she can hone her skills. You are so focused on your goal that you do not see the chance to have some great aerobic activity that will help you lose weight and some time to interact with your daughter. You are too attached.

Goals are important, but they need to be fluid, as Cath says. Your goals are there to enhance and move your life forward, not replace it! Know what it is you want in life. Get specific about what your dreams are. What brings a smile to your face? What do your really want. Then set your goal and make your plan, but don’t become some anal jerk about it. Work toward your goal with enjoyment and your eyes open to see what is going on around you.

Here’s to You!