The Goal of Goals

I was asked by one of my children to talk some about goals.  I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject.  I’m not one of those who has a long list of goals, sub-goals, and daily accountability.  That said, I do believe there is a place, indeed a necessity, for goals in our lives.

I think there are two types of goals.  The first I would call mile marker goals.  They represent points in time and accomplishment that can be identified and easily measured.  The second type of goal is directional goals.  Less measurable, and more difficult to clearly identify, they represent the vision of what we want to become or the state in which we want to exist.  Mile marker goals, by themselves, can keep us busy and focused, but they don’t provide purpose for our efforts.  Directional goals, without some degree of measurable progress, fade to little more than empty wishes and dreams.  So I believe that both types of goals are necessary to really achieve our life objectives.

The effective use of goals will require first identifying the directional goals we want to work towards.  Second, we need to identify measurable mile marker goals that will help us gauge progress and give us feedback on whether we are headed in the direction we want.

In identifying empowering and motivating directional goals, I believe we must ask ourselves such questions as:  Who do I want to become?  What characteristics do I want to have?  What do I want to be remembered for?  What is most important in my life?  If I could imagine the perfect life, what would it look like, sound like, feel like?  In other words, what matters most and how would I describe it?  Once imagined clearly and in fine detail, we can access the power of our vision by focusing on what needs to happen to make that vision a reality.

To begin moving from directional goals to measurable mile markers we need to identify what accomplishments and practices will result in our maintaining the direction we want and putting them within a context of time.  For instance, if we want to achieve a higher state of spirituality, our mile marker goals may include daily scripture study, twice daily sincere prayer, and daily pondering and meditation on whether our life is in line with our beliefs and standards and what we need to do to bring them into harmony.  If we have a goal to improve our relationships, we might identify specific things that will lead to that improved direction.  Perhaps we decide that we will spend a certain amount of time in deeper communication each week.  Maybe we will identify expressions of appreciation and praise that we will share each day.  Maybe it is the commitment to a date night with a spouse or one-on-one time spent with children each week.  Regardless of the specific activity or accomplishment, mile markers should be specific, measurable, realistic, and time limited.  What does that mean?

Specific:  We must identify in enough detail that we can clearly describe and recognize the outcome.  The more detail the better.

Measurable:  At some point, the goal needs to be quantifiable—something we can count and keep track of.  If nothing more than a tendency or feeling, it isn’t a mile marker goal.

Realistic:  A realistic goal is something we can reasonably attain and do so in the time frame identified.  While we shouldn’t hesitate to push ourselves and aim high, something completely out of reach will only lead to discouragement.

Time Limited:  A goal without a deadline lacks the power to motivate and push us.  It is knowing the clock is ticking that will add immediacy and urgency to our actions.

The final, vital activity in goal setting is to take the time and effort to analyze whether your goals are leading you in the direction you want.  This comes in two parts.  First are you meeting your goals?  If not, are they realistic?  Are they important to you?  What is getting in the way?  Will power is important, but so is identifying goals that you are passionate about and that are empowering and motivating to you.  If they aren’t, you are probably in need of the second activity.  As life goes by and circumstances change and lessons are learned our goals may change.  They may change in substance, or they may change in particular.  On a regular basis we need to put everything back on the table and see if this is still the directions we want to head.  If not, make necessary changes.  Even if the directions still apply, maybe the mile markers we’ve identified are no longer as applicable or useful.  If not, change them.  Nothing is written in stone and life requires adaptation on a continual basis.  Whenever our goals aren’t coming to pass, it isn’t a sign that we need to get discouraged and give up, but that we need to re-assess our goals and make changes to either them and/or our personal efforts and commitment. 

Goals can be a wonderful help in giving our life direction and in helping us measure our progress.  But, they are tools and should never become masters.  If we identify our visions and directions with sincerity of heart and inviting the guidance of the divine, the goals we ascribe to and work towards can help us become who we and God want us to become.