Letting Go Of Goals

Goals can motivate action and focus your energy. But they can also have downsides and sometimes need to be dropped. This week we're Off Balance On Purpose, letting go of goals.

There's nothing quite like a goal, commitment and deadline to drive you. And yet this year some goals have been proven unimportant, irrelevant or unrealistic. And others have become urgent and critical to your life. How have you adapted in real time to these ever changing targets?

It's not enough to aim at a target. Ask, "what's behind the target?" What are you guessing this goal delivers? What value or need will it satisfy? Answering those questions honestly reveals your goal's integrity, and helps you recognize other, better opportunities to realize your true desires.

Goals are a snapshot in time. A present day projection of what you think will make you happy, fulfilled, or successful. And setting goals is important, but a goal doesn't have to be permanent. What is it about this goal - its essence - that excites and compels you? And will realizing the goal really deliver what you seek?

For example, I value my health and fitness. And I truly love to help people and companies improve. So, I might decide to run a marathon next year and do 100 events, and set those as my goals. And if the impact of running proves painful, or world events shift yet again, I can find other, better ways to further my values. I might turn to cycling, or start a fitness movement. I might see other opportunities to reach millions, instead of thousands of people who need help.

In my life, I've tried to live my principles and values, in the pursuit of excellence. And in doing so, I've often found that the people, experiences and opportunities that have presented themselves have been far more extraordinary than the goals I've dared to dream.

Goals get you going, and can prove your capability. But don't let them limit you. Get clear on who you are, what you want, and why. Set your quest, and stay open to the other adventures that today you can't even contemplate. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.