Published in · 5 min read · Dec 31, 2016
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“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere — on water and land.” — Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
The journey to reach my goals far exceeds the goal itself.
Moreover, the final outcome may not be as significant as I’m led to believe.
Two bold statements, yes I know.
Indulge me a moment as we explore further.
If I reflect on a substantial goal I accomplished in the past year, I may not have reached the goal were it not for the steps taken to get there.
Goal attainment is a by-product of the journey. In the same way, losing weight is inevitable when I implement healthy nutritional habits and lifestyle changes.
The journey to achieve a goal is governed by: the person I become, the skills acquired, the connections made and the inner growth that takes place.
Goal setting is a term burned into the human psyche from early age. Goals represent the cornerstone of every victory I’m told, notwithstanding the foundations crucial to support them.
Whilst there is some merit in that advice, many successful people set out with little or no goals, yet still manage to achieve notable success. Their underlying motivation is grounded in continuous improvement and acquiring valuable skills.
Nowadays, countless self-help books, blogs and master classes are devoted to coaching people on goal setting. The advice to set unrealistic goals, since they’re less likely to be realised is apparent. It is advised to outline clear and manageable goals to chart my progress more effectively.
Depicted in the quote by Woody Allen is the understanding there is a greater force operating in the backdrop of my life managing the finer details: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
The message here is: life never goes according to plan. Life is replete with the meaning I assign it. It is upheld by my passion toward my purpose.
In keeping with the message, author Michael Neil reaffirms this point in his book Supercoach: “Obsessing about goals is like playing a game of fetch with yourself, using your happiness and self-worth as the bone.”
I offer the following thoughts to savour the journey rather than following a fixed outcome in relation to goals.
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” — Arthur Ashe
Life is a series of smaller destinations. The goal in life is not to acquire things or people to complete me. Such goals are bound to cause suffering once they vanish — easy come, easy go.
When I focus on the goal alone, I forfeit the lessons and wonderful experiences that lie in-between. My subconscious mind and accompanying biology are formed in such a way to support my success.
I appreciate the journey by trusting I have the wherewithal to accomplish any task I set my mind to, once my will and intention are firmly grounded.
The journey is the essence of where life exists in all her glory.
I recall times when I set a goal to lose weight, with a certain number in mind. The method I employed to arrive at such a figure was as random as selecting numbers for the weekly lottery.
Goals are meaningless without the intermediary process to get me there. The journey is where my goals are formed and realised. I may find that in losing weight, I acquire certain skills or undertake several lifestyle changes which I previously would not have considered.
If I rush the process and achieve my goals in the shortest amount of time, I forego the experiences along the way which cements my new habits.
As I take my eyes off the prize and enjoy the journey, I develop the ability to sharpen the saw as Stephen Covey lays out in his acclaimed book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. That is, I learn to preserve and enhance my personal self.
Character is shaped on the path to reach my goals. Strength of character is developed throughout the journey via the trials and lessons experienced.
I will call upon these lessons when I attain my goal, much like an athlete who spends countless hours in training, honing their performance. Those skills will be harnessed at the appropriate time.
American author Helen Keller reminds us of the virtue of character in the quote: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
The journey becomes the focal point, since I am likely to gain innumerable resources along the way which renders the goal far more rewarding in the end.
Successful people are adaptable.
They know what they want and pursue it with intense determination. They are receptive to the process of life and do not have fixed outcomes on how their goals will be achieved.
Now is a good time as any to take my foot off the accelerator and slip into cruise control. I trust I will arrive at my destination, as a rewarding journey replete with fulfilling life experiences.
More importantly the journey becomes a continual process of refinement, leading me towards my ultimate victory — the accomplishment of my goals and the strength of character to match.
