Set Goals From the Inside Out

We all seem to be fooled by the lure money, fame and power.  They are constantly dangled in front of our noses as something to admire and envy in others, as being important and worthy goals..  Why is it that many who have worked for these goals are so unhappy?  You'd think they would be blissful and fulfilled when they reach these points in their lives.  Unfortunately, many have dysfunctional marriages, many turn to drugs, and many turn to suicide.  John Belushi and Anna Nicole Smith immediately spring to mind.  Why?  Why is this so?

On the outside, everything looks beautiful. Fame, fortune, and power are saying, "Come on in.  Everything's fine.  Come in and you'll find complete happiness."  If things don't seem quite what they expect when they get there, people often make one of two choices.  Some assume they need more of what they have, so they focus on getting more and more of what didn't make them happy in the first place expecting different results.  It never happens. You spend the rest of your life chasing after more expecting it different results.  Some other people take the escape route and try to take their minds off of why things aren't a wonderful as they might be. 

Here’s the deal.  Whenever you use someone or something outside of yourself to make you happy, you have the recipe for disaster.  The bottom line is: If you want happiness then be happy from the inside out.  Don't expect to create happiness from the outside in

Why aren't you getting what you want? What is keeping you back? Most people don't know and haven't really thought it out. Most would say 'Gee, I'll have to think about that'. Hey, this is your life so don't settle on coming in second place. Are you really content to stay where you are? Why? 

So take a few minutes to think this out. If you could have one wish that would make you happy what would it be? Really think. Don't just say a cool million will solve my problems, because many wealthy people are rich but not happy. Many lotto winners think money will make them happy, but end up right back where they started - unhappy and broke. So money is not always the answer.

Believe in yourself. Know where you want to go. If you have your roadmap, whether it is spiritual or financial or health goals, you can measure your progress. It’s as simple as this: if I want to go from Seattle to Boston I take a map and plan my route. I can't drive it all in one day so I have to do it in segments. With any goal each small step will get you where you want to go if you take enough of them in the right direction. If I just jumped in the car and start driving and end up in San Francisco it’s not where I wanted to go. There is nothing different from planning this trip than planning your or my life. Okay, you probably should take a little longer than it takes to plan a road trip, but choose where you want to go in life. Don't let life just take you anywhere. Plan your trip. The choice is yours.

Goal Setting - Small Course Corrections Get You There

Have you ever had so much to do you end up not doing anything? Well, that’s how I feel at the moment.  I have my eye on the goal but so many things seem to get in the way. So many things to do.  So many people want a part of me.  I keep on reminding myself - stick with the plan, Mike, and you'll get there. The fun side of me sees the goal but wants to take the side roads to get there - stick with the plan, Mike. 

This reminds me of the days when I worked on an oil tanker.  The Captain would set the course.  Each watch would make small course corrections because of winds, weather or currents.  Even with each small correction the final destination was always in sight.  Despite a voyage of hundreds of miles, with these adjustments the Captain was able to predict his arrival within minutes.  He didn't take any side routes.  Stick with the plan, Mike.  Without these everyday corrections he'd have ended up somewhere else. 

Can you predict the day you'll complete your goal?  In my opinion, a goal not set with a date is not really a goal at all. It’s just a dream.  Put a date on it right now.  This gives your goal some urgency, some clout. You can always change it, but this will help you focus.  You know just like tax day.  It’s just a date but you focus on it.

Look, life seems to get in the way of our goals but keep focused. Make small corrections and don't deviate. Always keep an eye on the prize. You'll find that it’s not a straight path and things get in the way.  So this is what I did.  I made a list of all the things I need to do and I prioritized the list. I promised myself that I would end up doing the top one first and work my way down.  The fun and easy would have to wait - darn.  Hey, if I turned the list upside down I'd be doing the easy ones first.  Are you always looking for the easy way like me?  Stick to the plan, Mike. Just remember - if the target moves, you have to move right along with it.  Life just seems to get in my way.  How about for you?

Stick with plan Mike!