Goals and Dreams - Part 2

So, we have gone into dreams in detail - but what is a goal?

Quick back story, the inspiration behind this post was a catch-up with one of our largest clients. We were on our way to a race track for some fun with go karts and some lunch in the hills so had plenty of time to chat. When on the topic of goals for the rest of the year, I also discussed my dreams - I was quickly told to re-categorise my dreams into goals. Essentially, the client meant that defining things as goals means you are actually on your way to achieving them.

I agree and disagree - but for now, let’s get stuck into goals.

In my experience as a professional in both health and education, you can’t help anyone get anywhere until they define where they are going and can visualise what things will look like after all of their hard work. To do this, we have to define their goals - a goal is something that is worth working hard for, it is something that should inspire action/change, a goal is progression or even an outcome. Quite simply, it is a statement/vision that inspires you to achieve something or make something better.

Not too many people have goals in life that are positive for themselves - I think this is because most people avoid defining or setting goals because it means they are drawing a defining line of what failure looks like by not achieving their goal. It means they are playing it safe and, if they get there by accident, they get there. If they don’t, they can’t feel bad about it because the goal was never clear or put into reality and action. This is a sad way to live and I don’t think it ever allows people an out, it simply delays and compounds the pain they are going to experience.

The more precise the idea, the more specific the parameters, the better chance you have of staying on track to that goal. Make things clear, crystal clear. You have to give yourself the time and space to visualise absolutely everything and how it will make you feel. For example, if you want a car know the exact colour and visualise the way it will shine in the sun at your favourite spot. Imagine, clearly, the feeling of each of the fabrics, the smells of the interior. Know the feeling and sound of every single thing about the engine once you start it up.

I think we need to let ourselves experience more, rather than sit behind a computer or phone and let the outside world feed us ideas. We can’t expect to know if things are right or wrong for us until we go and do/see/feel them for ourselves. We are all different.

If you are in the process of setting or revisiting some goals and are having difficulty visualising/feeling the end result, I suggest you get out there and taste what the hell it is that you are about to spend so much time and energy on so you can at least make a start with something tangible. Go volunteer somewhere you want to work, go spend time in the suburbs you want to live in, go test drive the car, go on a mini holiday somewhere similar if needed - go do things for yourself and go set your goal.

In my humble opinion, it is better to have tried and failed then to have never tried in the first place. If you are still breathing at the end of it all, you can always get back up and try again or set a new goal - and so you should, you are a human and you are capable of great things.