I don’t know about you, but I love getting stuff done.
It feels sooooo good. So satisfying.
And yet.
When all the focus is on getting to a goal, whatever that goal may be – whether it’s losing weight, or getting a new job, or becoming spiritually enlightened – all that Goaly McGoalerton focus has a way of deteriorating our enjoyment of the moment.
It messes with us a little, you know what I mean?
Yeah, that’s a nice sunset and everything, but I still have weight to lose/haven’t gotten my dream job yet/am not spiritually enlightened.
But what if there was a way to have both?! To go for the gusto, pursue your goals with abandon, AND enjoy every moment of getting there?!
Yeah well. There is!
I recently had a little realization about just this very thing and I’d like to share it with you.
It started when I noticed how happy I’ve been lately.
It’s not that I was miserable before that, but there’s definitely been more of a happy happy happy vibe lately.
And not hyper-this-isn’t-going-to-last-happy. More like a deep thrum of Haaaaaaaapy. Like, Satisfied.
What’s up? I asked myself. How’d I get to such a groovy place?
The answer was deceptively simple.
I’ve been so happy because I’m feeling good about what I’m doing every single moment of every day.
That’s cool, right?
Then I had another question for myself.
But I’ve got all these big goals, many of which aren’t accomplished yet. Why am I so happy NOW?!
Again, the answer was clear and simple.
Yes, I’ve got big goals, but I’m not putting all my focus on them. Instead, in any given day, I’m focusing on – and enjoying – the steps I’m taking to get to my goals.
If you want to stick to Goaly McGoalerton language, you could say I’m setting weeny little micro goals for myself every day, and then accomplishing them.
So every day I get the satisfaction of accomplishing something.
And, what makes it even cooler, is that the something I accomplish each day is another step closer to an even bigger something that I desire.
Extremely groovy, right?!
What’s also groovy is that what I’m talking about isn’t difficult.
I’m not saying you should go out and run a marathon tomorrow. Indeed, if marathons are the subject, I’m saying you should go out and run less than a marathon tomorrow. You should run whatever amount you’re ready for at this stage of your training.
Which, let’s face it, is a lot more enjoyable than forcing yourself to run a whole lotta miles you’re not ready for yet.
There’s an expression people trot out when the subject of goals and accomplishment is brought up. The one about how the journey is the destination.
Yeah, that’s cool and everything, but destinations are also really fun. They’re satisfying.
And that’s why I’m enjoying my latest revelation so much.
I get to enjoy both the journey and the destination.
I get to have my cake and eat it too.
Which, if you think about it, is really the way to go.
Cake doesn’t taste very good if you don’t eat it!
How do you enjoy both the journey and the destination? Share your comments below!
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Love this post and the fun, colorful pictures. Like you, I break things down into teensie-tiny feasible goals and do a little bit most days. I feel a sense of progress and accomplishment each day, and I stay out of frustration and overwhelm-ment with these little goals. Life is fun and easy again. I’ve found that Abraham’s advice about taking baby steps when improving our thought-life and attitudes applies so nicely to everything.
Hi Karen, Thanks for these reminders. Yes, Abe is so great with the emphasis on feeling-good, in spite of not yet accomplishing all your goals. And that feeling good is ultimately what we’re all wanting anyway! Happy New Year to you! XOZ
Thanks for posting again Z! It’s been a wild journey for me lately- amazing and anxiety ridden, beautiful and brutal, funny and hard— so it’s nice to have permission to enjoy all the steps and moments I can! The picture I had of my destination isn’t quite manifest yet but when I worry about what I’m not doing enough of or not perfectly well yet, it’s so freeing to know that it’s ok, I’m still here, still growing and unfolding and every bit of the way is good and holy and true.
Hi Sarah, Yes, it’s super wonderfully freeing to just know that you’re okay, you’re doing great, you’re growing and everything is unfolding as it should. Even though it’s definitely challenging at times. Sending you lots of love and blessings – and gentleness – as you journey onward!! XOXOZ