When To Change Your Goals
   

What is the difference between your goals and your dream? The difference is slight, but it's there. Goals can be classified as specific accomplishments. Maybe you saved enough money to finally take your dream vacation. Maybe you lost twenty pounds by summer, just like you resolved in January. Maybe you finally started socking away a few extra dollars each month into your retirement account. These goals all represent specific accomplishments that you achieved through steady work and commitment. These are goals.

What, then, is a dream? When we refer to our dreams, we tend to speak of the bigger picture. Dreams constitute the nebulous, fuzzy arena of our aspirations and imagination. Although we tend to speak of our dreams and goals interchangeably, it pays to make the distinction. Think of your goals as the steps on a ladder. You must climb each rung to get to the next. Some rungs are easier to climb then others. Sometimes you get weary of the climb and must stop to take a rest. Now, think of your dreams as the ladder itself. Your dream is not a destination, but rather the glory of the process. Too many times, we look at the process linearly. We see a start and a finish. Truly successful and content individuals realize that the joy of achieving goals and attaining your dreams is in the journey itself. It is the journey that brings joy and contentment. So think of your dreams as the journey. Living the dream means having the privilege of being free to do what you want, and receiving joy from doing it.

Sometimes we become so focused on the black and white of our goals. We focus on whether we have achieved the specific requirements of each goal, and fail to see the big picture of our dreams. Sometimes we become sidetracks by the very goals that are supposed to be part of our dreams. Remember: your goals should all contribute to the experience of living your dream. If ever you feel that your goals are detracting you from the larger picture, it may be time to reevaluate your goals. If you think you may be getting sidetracked, take the moment to sit down and consider why this is happening.

Write down your goals and evaluate them. How does this particular goal contribute to your overall sense of joy and contentment? Does the success of achieving this goal contribute to the 'big picture' of your dream? If you cannot find a legitimate reason for how a goal is enriching your life for the better, you may consider abandoning it. Many times, we set off on achieving goals that are not even ours. We do things because we believe we ought to be doing them. They don't contribute to our ability to live our dream, yet we pursue them in order to impress others, fulfill the expectations of others, or perhaps even to distract ourselves from the real work of our lives.

Another important aspect to consider is whether you are focusing too much energy on the concept of success. Outward success is often very different from truly rewarding success. Outward success often has to do with things like driving a nice car, buying expensive things, or putting on a showy front. If you find yourself constantly wondering what others will think, seeking the approval or opinion of others, you are probably off course. Remember, you should always focus on the significance and experience of achieving goals and living your dream, rather than on the perceived success. If you continually focus on whether you were successful, you will eventually be disappointed. But if you strive to focus on the process of working towards your goal and living your dream, the pitfalls you encounter on the way will seem much less harsh. The process of true learning and growth occur on the way to your goals. You don't automatically receive a good dose of wisdom and growth upon accomplishing your goals. It is not marathon or a race—there is no one at the finish line to congratulate you and place a medal around your neck. In order to live your dreams, you must make sure your goals fill you with the experience of joy. Anything less will be steering you away from the life of your dreams.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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