During the last half of February, the flu incapacitated me. During that time, energy permitting, I read several posts and articles from vaulted gurus and neophytes alike who caused my temperature to rise even higher. They seemed to have received the same bulleted memo about how goals are too limiting and only small people use them.
What rubbish.
It’s common for people to mix definitions; one person’s strategy is another person’s tactic. Some treat objectives like vision statements, and some tear apart the cliché SMART goal acronym. Regardless, a theme has emerged; the goal is insignificant compared to the vision.
I’ll repeat myself. What rubbish.
Your vision can be as grand or small as you’d like, but there’s no way you’ll achieve it without a goal. A goal is the management of your vision. A goal may not be as sexy as a vision, but it’s essential because you can’t plan for luck and wishes don’t work.
By the way, if you’re in the camp that believes wishing does work, I challenge you to keep a journal for 45 days, listing all the things you ardently desire. On the 46th day read your list and place an X next to the wishes that haven’t come true yet. Put a circle in front of any wishes that did come true without any effort on your part. Finally, review your entire list and place a checkmark in front of any wishes that could become true with some physical action on your part. Tally your results. If you have mostly circles, congratulations, wishing seems to work for you. You probably have many Xs. Don’t feel discouraged, because you can turn the items that have a checkmark next to them into … goals.
The goal is a crucial part of your success in any endeavor. Wrong goal, wrong result. Vague goal, vague result. The goal isn’t the only tool available to help you, but it’s like the rudder of a ship. Given the option you’d prefer to have one, because without it the chance of happily drifting into the harbor and up to the dock of your choice is slight at best.
Small goals consistently achieved, trump grand visions not acted upon. Ignore those who belittle your goals. You’re already bigger than them.