I recently had a conversation about Goals. I, with quite frankness, told a friend that I "didn't have any of those things." I wasn't trying to elicit a response. I was just being truthful.
Okay, I suppose everyone has some goals–goals with a small "g." A goal of mine is to keep my job. A goal is to spend less and save more. But, those aren't Goals, ya know?
I know at one point I had some Goals, but I can't seem to find those darned things anywhere! And, truth be told, I'm sure I wouldn't want to find them. Most likely they would be haze-of-college goals, which means they are built on little more than haze…or pot…or whatever. (I had better press on from here; I'd hate this to become a "college angst" post!)
Now, I'm not saying that I'm happy about not having any Goals. That would just be sad. I just don't have any.
Which brings me to the point of this post. I have gotten two pieces of advice regarding Goals:
One friend said, "You should make 'Getting a Goal' your Goal." Now that's ridiculous. (Not to mention a vicious loop of logic.)
Another friend said, "Goals are not acquired. Goals are born." Yikes! That's pretty depressing. (And if I think something is depressing…)
So, I put it to you, dear commenter, "What's the deal with Goals, anyway?" I know I'm supposed to have some of those things, but–too bad–I don't.
6 comments:
It is easy to have goals: I will take my lunch to work, I will change the cat litter, I will quit shopping at nike.com. But having Goals really is so hard. My Goal is to get a better job. Lose weight so I'm not as at risk for my family's lovely heart disease gene. Inside those Goals are goals. Keep my resume up to date. Search for Jobs and apply everywhere in a 100 mile radius. Eat salad. Avoid cookies and Cheetos.
Maybe you are seeing the trees and not the forest Tony. Maybe your goals are part of something Goal that you're not seeing. I could be wrong.
I like "Goals are born," but I don't think it's completely true. Goals (and goals) seem to be unique to each person. I used to feel guilty for only having goals, but, when life changes, sometimes you find Goals.
I like you either way.
WHen I gave up with Goals, my life started working out much, much better. NO regrets for the past, and love of fate are what's for me. I'm too busy doing work, creating things, to have Goals.
I'm kinda shocked, honestly.
I thought everyone had Goals. I'm glad to hear that not having Goals can be seen as a virtue. That's a relief.
(By the way, in fairness, I should probably clarify my friend's notion that "Goals are born." I believe she meant that Goals are inspired by events and "just happen" not that Goals are in some way predestined. In other words, I think she meant "don't try to force it.")
Defining things as Goals can put unreasonable pressure on a person to feel they NEED to accomplish it or be branded a failure.
I prefer that there are things that need to get done. And I'll take care of it when I need to take care of it.
You remember how I was back when I had Goals.
I'm all about the goals. I have to plans art shows 6 month to 2 years in advance and some shows even 5 years. Grants have to be a year in advance. Applying for jobs teaching has to be a year in advance. Without goals, I would never get things done.
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