So, I've been thinking about purpose and goals recently. I never jumped on board with the whole Purpose-Driven anything band-wagon, as I've never felt the need, and always felt like I had a good grasp on why we are here. (It's to go hiking, btw) But I was presented this week with some food for thought that I have been slowly chewing, and will continue to chew on for yet a while longer.
The context is that this past week, I spent three days at a seminar for work where the entire office took off to a retreat/spa-thing in the Gorge to discuss teamwork etc. I'll spare you the boring exercises and communication ordeals, but suffice to say, it was actually a lot more enjoyable than anticipated, and I think I've been spoiled for team-building conferences for a very long time due to the caliber of presenter that facilitated it. The focus at the end was on personal goal-setting. I drew to remembrance how goal-setting is what got me out of the hell-hole of Newberg, and that my goal-setting was seemingly divinely encouraged (I appreciate God's 2x4s) But once I got out of Newberg and into Portland, it seemed that I sort of stopped setting goals.
So, the question then becomes, 'What are my goals now?' And once again, I am drawn into my existential stalemate. Goals without the proper motivation are fruitless if pursuing the 'best', and I want to pursue the 'best' whatever that is. However, lacking proper motivation breeds indecision and stagnation, which is what I have sort of found myself gravitating towards. So, is any goal or purpose better than stagnation? Or is it worth it to try and construe proper motivation before commencing any long-term goal-setting?
The practical part of me just wants to set myself in motion, as motion is better than nothing, and course can be adjusted mid-flight. It is well-known you cannot adjust a non-moving entity to anything or anywhere easily. (Yay for inertia!)The logical, organized, and ultimately boring part of me wants to make sure all my ducks are in a row before I kill them and make soup. So, maybe I just need to be messy and run in one direction first, killing all the ducks I see, so that I may learn the best recipe. (for bad metaphors, as well as duck soup)
3 comments:
I'm reading David Bach's Smart Women Finish Rich and it talks about figuring out what your values are and then setting goals. It's really opened my eyes as to what I want to do in life. If the supposed goal is not in line with my overall values then there isn't a point to reaching for that goal.
It's about finances but I think the idea can be pretty universal.
Start with asking yourself "What is important about money to you? Then you continue with What is important about previous answer to you? and keep going until you can't think of anything else (no more than 15 minutes)
From there write your goals. But goals without specifics and measurable outcomes are as you said "fruitless"
:) ps HI!
You know I hate giving instructive advice, so here's what I've got. Sounds like you've got a good thoughts and motivations there. The thing is that I hear you telling me a story that reminds me of the classic parable of Billy (one of the lost parables of Jesus Christ). Billy wakes up to his alarm after a night of sparse sleep, but instead of getting up and doing what is required of him that day, he watched the clock and created a mental list of things he should do that day. Once he finished the list, he added "make a mental list of everything I need to do today" to that list so at least he could cross something off. He then added, "estimate whether or not list is practical given the time constrains of my life," to the list. Once he had completed this and crossed it off his mental list, he decide that his list was no longer practical, so he went through the list again to pick which activities to postpone to another day or drop all together. Then he fell asleep again. When he finally woke up he found he needed to make a new list, but this time a much smaller one.
i appreciate that you actually question why and what your goals are. most people just set goals based on what they have been told their whole life they should do. once their life slows down or becomes sooo routine that they have a chance to breathe, they realize who they are and what they have done isn't what they wanted at all and then they have a mid-life crisis or cheat on their spouse or whatever. they aren't happy, they just threw their life in gear and went without thinking and when it finally catches up with them, they don't like what they see. i say question things, as difficult and frustrating and draining as it is, it is worth it. be intentional with your life and your goals because they are what you want not because you just need some goals.
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