“Whenever you take a step forward, you are bound to disturb something.” INDIRA GANDHI
December is a busy month with added pressures. It is also a time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished during the past year and your goals for the upcoming year. I have come across two interesting theories why it’s important to set goals, and why it really doesn’t matter. You decide.
1. Why you should set goals in your life.
Are you already disciplined and organized? Do you follow a set of goals like the ones below?
- One-Year Goals: You review your list a few times a year, and have specific categories like fitness, writing, income, travel, family, etc.
- Five-Year Goals: The “big things” you hope to accomplish, and review once a year.
- Lifetime Goals: Your bucket list, everything you want to accomplish in your life. You also review this once a year. What memories do you want to have when it’s your time to say “goodbye?” What would you regret not accomplishing?
Chris Guillebeau admits that people who seem to get a lot accomplished, like he does, are not super disciplined but have been able to “create a structure around work” that allows for improvisation. Chris, my new hero, says he takes goals seriously and does work hard, but this is usually a result of him building a good structure to begin with.
2. Why you should not set goals in your life.
On the other hand, Leo Babauta, the author of the popular blog ZenHabits, takes a different approach. He completely changed his life a couple of years ago. At first he focused on goals. He was overweight, a smoker, sedentary, completely stressed and deeply in debt. Goals helped him change his life around and he was then able to run several marathons, get out of debt and start a very successful blog ZenHabits. Now Leo says, “I’ve pretty much given up on goals, though I’m still learning how that works.”
Listening to Leo Babauta talk on FitMarriage I was struck by his statement regarding letting go of goals, and getting away from goal setting. For example, instead of saying, “I shall lose twenty pounds,” Leo recommends focusing on the enjoyment right now, rather than on your future goal. “When you do it that way,” Leo says, “You’re not fixated on where it will get you.” He believes in starting as small as possible, even with exercise. Just five minutes, don’t think one hour.
Leo says, “We give (goals) a lot of credit for our accomplishments, but they didn’t do the work. They might have given us a direction, but in the end, the work is done on a daily basis.”
As Leo points out, “Even with goals, some people aren’t going to achieve anything, because they haven’t figured out how to motivate themselves. Goals don’t do that for you — they just make you feel guilty that you haven’t gotten them done.”
So my advice is to follow what Indira Ghandi said, take a step forward, preferably a Gutsy one. After all, who wants to stand in one place?
Are you a goal setter? If so what’s your style? Any tips are welcome to help us get moving.
Good post! I handle goals as short-term assignments on a To Do List. But I don't obsess. What doesn't get done today goes on tomorrow's list, or another day, or is eliminated as non-essential. Goal-setting is good for me, but I can't let it interfere with flexibility and go-with-the-flow.
As for a bucket list, I used to have one, mostly involving travel. I took care of the important ones, so now I'm more interested in seeing where my short-term goals take me.
My wife recently during our move discovered a journal she had kept over 30 years ago. In re-reading it she noted that most all the goals she had set for herself had come to be.
I am a bit different, I do have some nebulous goals but prefer instead to seize opportunities as they come my way. My documentary was such an activity at which the goal was to complete it. But often our goals change as we adapt to changing circumstances.
Oh No, No, NO!!!! Goals only hold back my creativity and spontaneity!
I believe that life is to be lived not planned. Besides if you want to hear God laugh, just say the word "Plan"!
It may work for some but for me, goals just mean work. I do enough of that. I just want to relax and do what I want now! LOve Di ♥
I chose you for the Stylish Blogger Award!
To see what to do go:
http://theglamourouslifeofanarmywife.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-won-award-i-feel-so-warm-and-fuzzy.html
I believe in goals, but I hold them loosely. Life can change very quickly and I wouldn't want to have unmet goals/expectations hanging out there. But we certainly a direction in which to point our life.
Wonderful food for thought!
I'm definitely the non-organized non-goal kind of gal… I believe in action and getting things done in the now, not in the future…
I agree with Patricia.
We just sold a flat and bought a new one. Without goals and planning it's impossible to handle things.
But once a goal is set it's easy to do things daily basis.
Now I notice a little bit pressure because of too little time but I try not to stress because I wouldn't get more time even if I'd stress 🙂
Greetings from freezing Helsinki!
@Patricia
I like your positive attitude about going with the flow, and not fretting about goals.
@Robert
Your wife's journal reminds me of a book I read, and had the joy of meeting the author, Kim Peterson, called, "Charting the Unknown. She found her bucket list from college days and had always wanted to sail a catamaran with her husband and kids around the world. Great book.
@Diana
You make me relax just by reading your comment. Thanks for the joy.
@Glamorous Army
Thanks for the Stylish Award. I am very touched by your kindness.
@Brenda
I know you've had to be flexible with your goals and admire you for that.
@ladyfi
I can tell you don't lack motivation, like Leo says some people do, therefore, you take care of business daily.
@BLOGitse
I like your attitude towards stress: "I wouldn't get more time even if I'd stress." I shall remember that one.
Thanks for the great post. For the record, I'm a fan of Leo's fantastic work. As you point out, he has certainly achieved a lot… all starting with some very clear goals. 🙂
As for goals, work, and creativity, if the goals you set are aligned with your overall life and dreams, you won't view them as limits or even "work." I think it's a mistake to perceive goals as some kind of artificial restriction on who you are — if you are the one setting the goals, why should you be restricted?
All best and thanks again.
@Chris
I know you don't sleep as you're always able to keep in touch with everyone. Anyway, thanks so much for jumping over to comment and you're right: goals should not become an artificial restriction, perhaps I'm referring to self-imposed deadlines. Thanks Chris. See you on Dec. 10th in LA.
I work in a corporate setting, so goals are just part of the game for me. In my personal life, goals are more related to everyday life. Like, “today I want to dust my entire house” or “ I want to take my kids to the park”.
I believe goals in general are future things, often far off. I like to think that what Leo is getting at is “being present in the moment”. If you are focused on your future and your goals, you cannot take the time to enjoy where you are and what you are doing.
If I spend the entire time I am at the park with my kids, thinking about my next goal, were is the value in being at the park?
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
— John Lennon, "Beautiful Boy"
I have to agree that setting goals is not always the best thing to do. Last year, I decided to run the marathon, and I did, but in my determination to finish the race, I ignored the warning signals given by my body, and am still recovering from that.
I do think goals are needed to inspire you, but they need to be holistic so you don't end up doing more bad than good.
Great post.
I used to be really big on goals — then I noticed that I was really slow at working on them, and tended to just deal with things day to day.
Since I live about six hours at a time now, I keep any goals really small, if I have any.
@Life Miner
Thanks for coming over. I agree with Leo that we need to enjoy the present, even when we're doing laundry.
@Sam
I love that quote. So true. Thanks Sam.
@Rayna
Great reflection on being realistic with our goals. I know weight training is making me listen to my aching shoulder now.
@Rob-bear
You're probably more focused on what you do since you keep your goals small and realistic.
I consider this as a great quote: "If you don't know where you are going, any road will lead you there."…
I was also a bit shocked when Leo shared his stance on goals in our interview. He had so many awesome insights!
Personally, I’m sticking with goals. 🙂
Dustin
Fit Marriage