Goals Are Just Guidelines

I saw a friend recently that I haven’t seen in months. We got talking over drinks and basically catching up on what’s been happening in our lives since we saw each other last. One topic of conversation that stood out was goals. Like, goals that we set for our selves daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. I enjoy setting goals for my self. It gives me a sense of accomplishment once that goal is complete.

This friend also asked me; “so have you eliminated all your debt as you set out to do?”  and without hesitation I replied “No I have not, it’s a work in progress.”

No Shit, I Failed my Goal

Part of the conversation was a failed barrier. I never divulged too much information to this friend on what my goal was and how much debt I set out to eliminate. My bad. Valid question though. In fact I appreciate the question, because this friend obviously remembered my goal. I was thrilled to get the question asked.

Back to goals tough. So I failed my goal(s). So what? Goals to me are just guidelines to working towards something. A measuring tool, whether you failed or achieved. Need to add or subtract. That’s the beauty of setting goals. Nothing is set in stone and there is ample opportunity to keep tweaking along the way.

Goals are just guidelines and it’s not the end of the world if you fail to meet your goals. There is a far more important lesson at hand:

It’s more important that goals are being worked towards

As they say; “Its not the end result that matters, but rather the journey along the way”. So true I think. I’m also thinking  you are probably wondering what goals have I failed that I set out for my self and here they are

Eliminate $5K Line of Credit Debt- FAIL (Not even close)

Purchase Mac-Book – FAIL (Deleted this idea as a whole, waste of $$)

Read 7 Books – FAIL (Only read 4 so far, but reading 2 now – fingers & toes crossed)

Should I be discouraged? Not at all. The positive aspect of it all, is that I am moving in the right direction. Rome was not built overnight and debt is not eliminated overnight either. It’s a process. A journey. Goals are just guidelines to serve as a reminded to us along the way. Beauty of it all is that, is that goals are a measuring tool to show us where we stand. What we need to adjust. Where we need to devote more time to.

If you failed at your goals, don’t sweat it. Instead revise your goals and re-issue them as a new challenge to your self. Keep in mind the positives, such as you are one of the 5% of people in the society who actually has set goals for your self. Fact is, most people don’t set goals. They find it too, ummm what’s the word I am looking for….difficult of a challenge.

Ohh I almost forgot. If you are a goal nerd like me, check out this pretty nifty goal setting website. Oh and it’s FREE.

Do you like goal setting?

Eddie