Clashing to Fulfill Goals

Image provided by
Antonio Martinez
@ https://www.flickr.com/photos/poper/

Some of my readers who are knowledgeable in the world of writing have mentioned at one time or another that I may be taking on more than I can realistically achieve with success. I might agree with them if I had a job to go to outside the home, but, except for my endeavors in writing, my only tasks are within the realms of being a housewife. Everything is confine within the four outer walls of my abode.

Taking care of a home adequately isn’t anything degrading, mind you. A home is a sanctuary for the people who live within. Letting the surroundings get filthy and sloppy will have a negative effect on the dwellers both physically and mentally. Furthermore, there’s the preparation of meals and cleaning garments that, most assuredly are necessary chores. Still, because much of what is done depends on the time of day and what is needed by the other members of the household, there is ample time to take on passions and crafts that will enrich the housekeeper’s total wellbeing.

My passion/craft is writing, of course. I could try to take it to the level of sending articles to magazines but my heart can’t get into it unless I feel strongly about the subject I write about. Additionally, I’m writing about these topics in my blog. True, I’m not getting paid for writing this way, but I sure do enjoy it.

When the aforementioned readers expressed their concerns, I believe they were referring more to the book I’m in the process of writing and how I might let unneeded distractions prevent me from finishing what I’ve started. I have taken their wisdom to my depths for consideration. The outcome is I’ve taken their advice in hopes that it will speed up the process of my writing.

In my reflections on this matter, I, inadvertently, hit on the subject of goals. At the time of the initial thought, I believed I had everything set up in an orderly fashion.

Then I got my weekly email from David Stevens, a life coach who lives down under. And what was his topic for the week? GOALS

You should have a Plan or at least a guideline of what/how you want to achieve.

You need to be passionate. There has to be plenty of meaning & purpose.

And there has to be the will to see it through.

You can’t go in to any goal setting exercise half assed. Well actually You can but you are likely to fail.

Many, if not all of you have heard of S.M.A.R.T. Goals … being Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time framed or very close definitions of that.

I had to take a good look at how I’ve been going about achieving my passion. Am I planning the way I should so that I reach my goal? Or am I wandering down the road hoping I’ll come across the needs and opportunities demanded for my success?

I came to the conclusion that I’m doing both. I do have a plan, but I’m also moseying down the path, hoping and praying things will go my way. Is this a bad way to do this goal setting gig? I don’t know what David would say, but I, personally, think doing both means I’m being flexible and am not forgetting the unexpected that can so easily happen.

Nonetheless, since I hit middle age (now on the cusp of old age), I do ask myself occasionally about what the balance should be between the two techniques. Have I gotten lazy relying on luck too much? Have I let my self-doubt curb the aims I set for myself?

If the answers to these questions is Yes, I need to find a way to change it around. There are very few intentional goals I’ve set for myself during my lifetime. So far, there’s only been two that I seen all the way through. This unnoteworthy statistic is most likely the underlying reason I have ended up leaning toward serendipity.

What do I have to lose if I, indeed, plan for a goal, plan for a success? I could lose a small lump of pride if I don’t reach the target. Pride is a hard thing to swallow. I know this because I’ve done it a few times. Yet, somehow I’ve gotten it down without gagging. Besides, swallowed pride is calorie-free.

I suppose you’re wondering what my goal is. Sure, you may have some suspicions; and they may even be correct — maybe that it, but only to a point. I won’t be revealing my objective(s) until September 29th. That’s four posts away I hope you can wait because I’ll not tell until then. 😛

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. — Steve Jobs