|
Every year we make resolutions to be a nicer
person, or change jobs or some other personal goal.
Goal setting is a good thing. Whether it's
for a new millennium or for tomorrow, it's nice to have
a reason to get out of bed.
One of the hazards with goal setting is
feeling bad if they aren't achieved. Putting yourself
under unnecessary pressure can actually have the reverse
effect.
This is where we need to make our goals
realistic. We have become a get-it-for-me-now society
so expect quick results.
Remember the old saying 'Rome wasn't built
in a day'? Well it wasn't. Many athletes strive to be
in the Olympics, but it takes years of practice and they
must work at a realistic pace or they will burn out or
injure themselves. This pattern is the same for anybody
pursuing a goal or dream, athlete or not.
You can have as many goals as you want.
Thousands if you so choose! Perhaps you plan to get healthy
and lose excess weight.
The first step is to be totally upfront
with yourself. Know that weight loss is a lifetime change
and a totally realistic and achievable goal. On the other
hand, not eating chocolates for the whole of the year
is unrealistic.
If you like chocolate there's no reason
to cut it out of your diet. If you hate cottage cheese
(as I do), why should you eat it and be miserable? There's
plenty of other great tasting foods without the word "LITE"
(Low In Taste and Enjoyment) on the label!
Instead of saying to yourself "I'm
going to lose 20 pounds by Spring" and putting yourself
under pressure, try "I'm just going to lead a healthier
lifestyle".
Done! You're already on the path.
If you slip off the path, don't beat yourself
up over it. Just step back on. It's merely a detour. And
there's no reason to feel guilty when you do have the
occasional chocolate or Big Mac. Having a treat is quite
normal.
Make your goals as wild as you like but
allow yourself an out clause. You may decide that climbing
Mount Everest is what you want to do...but you might change
your mind or not have enough money. It may be an unrealistic
goal for you right now. So be it!
You are entitled to reset your goals or
decide a few hundred miles along the Appalachian Trail
is more realistic than climbing an enormous mountain.
When I was younger I wanted to do all sorts
of things. I loved writing down my plans and lovely long
lists and storing them in my special file for future reference.
Even if you don't achieve these goals it's still fun to
look back on them. You realize how many of these ideas
actually led you down other paths to achieving different
goals.
I still have my special folder and I still
add stuff to it. You just never know.
You have the power to choose your goals
and the paths to get there, but remember there is no right
path. That's half the fun! People will tell you that the
only path to happiness is to devote your life to religion
or put up with a crappy job just because "it's part
of life".
Ain't necessarily so. Might be fine for
some people, but maybe not for you.
There are many different paths with intersections
and roundabouts and traffic lights and squashed cigarette
butts....sounds kinda corny, but your goal is to enjoy
your one life and travel as many paths as you can to reach
your Emerald City...yeah that is corny...but true!
Have a safe journey
|
