Oct 09
19
An alternative view on goal setting
Do we really need to set goals or are we continually setting ourselves up to fail? I’ve long been an advocate of goal setting even if it only helps us to focus our attention on something to achieve rather than wandering aimlessly through our lives. However during one of my moments reflection I had the thought of whether or not we really need goals.
When I see certain people who pass through their lives without so much as a thought about goal setting; they seem as “happy as larry”. Yet there are other people who ‘swear by’ goal setting and will not undertake any activity unless it is one of their goals and a part of their personal development programme. If it’s not there and they see a value in it they’ll work it into their programme at the first available opportunity.
So who doesn’t need goals or use goal setting? There are people, and many of them, who enter into this world and live in the family home for their whole life. They inherit the house from their parents when they ‘pass on’ and remain in the house until their ‘passing’. They work in the same job for their whole life, all be it, this isn’t happening as much today as it used to. They holiday at the same destination year in year out. They frequent the same social settings for many years. In fact their life seems to be a continuum of repetition, however they enjoy it and their happiness is plain to see. So why is there a need for them to include goal setting in their, what appears to be, perfect life. The answer is there isn’t a need, none whatsoever. They’ve achieved their goals and found their purpose in life. They are extremely happy, alright, they don’t seem to have the same ambition as the goal setting fanatics amongst us but they’re happy and that’s all that matters to them.
All too often the goal setting principles are pushed down our throats; insisting we need to take them up if we want the life that somebody else is living. I think that thought completely contradicts the principles of goal setting in that they are supposed to be your own goals!
I have identified four situations around goal setting and the achievement or otherwise of success, as explained below:
Goal setting with positive results
The person who falls into this category avidly sets goals on a regular, if not daily basis, and achieves the results they want consistently. They invariably want for nothing apart from another goal to set.
Goal setting with negative results
The person who falls into this category avidly sets goals on a regular, if not daily basis, however they fail to achieve the results they want on a regular basis. They are found wanting as they strive for success with their goal setting.
No goal setting with positive results
The person who falls into this category achieves positive results on a regular basis, however goal setting is not part of their life nor will it ever be. They see no purpose in the activity and they are happy to continue their life as it is.
No goal setting with negative results
The person who falls into this category never achieves positive results neither do they have goal setting as part of their life. They either have a lack of awareness of it, never been introduced to it or they have no interest in it despite their lack of successes.
When you are next discussing the idea of setting goals for yourself, whoever it is you are discussing it with make sure it’s your goals you are talking about not the goals of another person who is promising you the world if you follow the process they are offering you. For instance, if you’ve never even considered being a millionaire and somebody turns up telling you, you too can be a millionaire, question your motives for wanting to achieve this status. Is this what you want? Are you ready for this in your life right now? What do you really want in your life right now? Goal setting is a great process; it works for me and I will continue to use it. By all means use a goal setting process in your life but make sure you are at the centre of the process with your goal and not one someone has set for you. Include the process in your Personal Development Training.
Thank you for reading this post, please let me know what you think and share your experiences. While you’re here please take the time to sign up for the newsletter or alternatively you may prefer to subscribe for regular updates in your favourite reader or by email.
photo credit: nimish_gogri
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