Rarely do goals go as planned. It seems like the ones that truly count are the ones that have the most zig zags and detours. There are many best practices and guidelines one can follow when it comes to goal setting. Some goal setting practices such as S.M.A.R.T Goals were made popular for it’s easy to remember guidelines. When it comes to goal setting, there is one thing that you must always remember but that is not always shared in best practices.
“Neither Goal Setting nor Plans are set in stone.”
It can be easy to get caught up in the attainment of a goal. Doing what you must to follow the plan. But, sometimes the road you planned to take deviates along a different path. You might even decide to adjust your goal along the way. If you do, that’s O.K. too.
Think of your goals and plans like a Whiteboard not an Etch A Sketch.
As a kid, my cousin had an Etch A Sketch. I remember how fun it was to create drawings with this toy. Introduced near the peak of the Baby Boom in 1960, it was eventually inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. A very simple and basic concept, the Etch A Sketch has a thick flat gray screen in a red plastic frame. Twisting the knobs moves a stylus that displaces aluminum powder leaving a solid line. There are even models with Stylus’ included.
My cousin became very good at his drawings. With practice he was able to create masterpieces. Or at least what 8-year-old me thought was a masterpiece. Whenever I would try, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. It was so clear in my mind. As I would get towards the middle of my drawing, I would realize that it wasn’t going to turn out exactly as I envisioned. Problem was the only way to erase what was on the board was to hold it upside down and shake it. I had no ability to erase only portions of my drawings where mistakes were made. The whole thing would erase and I had to start over.
I have a Whiteboard at home that I use to set my goals and priorities for the week. My youngest son Wyatt loved to draw on the Whiteboard so much that I got him a smaller version of mine. When I watch him draw, there are times, it doesn’t turn out the way he wants. It is easy for him to erase the part of the drawing he wants to redo and try again.
Neither your goals nor your plans are set in stone. Life happens, priorities and circumstances change. When they do, sometimes, you need to change a part of your plan. It does not mean you failed at your goal, it just means that it shifted into another goal.
Treat your goals as a Whiteboard. If you don’t like the way things are going, just erase what needs to be corrected and try again.
Our lives can get pretty hectic and it can be easy to get lost in our actions. When we are so focused on what is ahead, we forget to pause, reflect and find ways to energize our minds. These 5-minute motivation posts are meant to give you that recharge. The goal is to give you a 5-minute Vitamin for your mind through quotes, posts and videos. It is also meant to challenge your thinking and inspire you to take action.
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