Unhealthy Goals

Not too long ago, I came across a quote that caught me by surprise. It basically said that you are enough just the way you are. You are here to make a difference and you will. Really? If that’s the case, what does that say about getting better to fulfill the aspirations you have that are beyond what you are now? Hmm.

Actually, I understand the point being made. Some have such high standards of perfection that they will never measure up. They struggle with self-acceptance because they can never meet such lofty aims. Or they experience the harsh pain of failure when they compare themselves to the best of the best. This is a very unhealthy place to be.

Goals To Grow

But unhealthy goal setting is hardly the point. As humans, we are naturally wired to improve. It’s a fundamental principle that drives us to create and innovate to be better. Healthy pursuits of improvement should be a normal part of our professional careers.

I once heard a senior manager say that she was disheartened with having to set annual goals. Her lament was that the firm leaders were never satisfied. Every year, she was asked how she wanted to continue her professional development. And like everyone else, her intentions were transformed into goals, which meant she had to put forth effort and work on them. Why couldn’t she just go along without any goals or pursuits?

The more I thought about it, the problem wasn’t that the firm leaders were never satisfied with her progress.  The problem was that she was! It was like her saying, “I’m fine where I am. I don’t need to learn more, experience new opportunities or get better at what I do. I’ll just make next year look just like last year. No, I’m fine where I am, thank you very much.”

Progress Goals

Are you satisfied with where you are now to the point you have no ambition to improve? In all the technical and professional areas, do you have any interest in focusing on something that will make you better?

You can be pleased with the progress you’ve made without lessening your drive to be more than what you are now. A relentless pursuit of progress is a hallmark of anyone who has ever made significant contributions.

Rather than powering down and drifting into mediocrity, rev up your motivational engine to pursue, develop and be better, no matter how small the initiative. Life isn’t meant to be easy and unexceptional. It’s meant to be lived with energy, joy and fulfillment. And pursuing your development in order to make a difference is the only way.

For the next few months, what is one thing you will commit to improve? What have you been meaning to really dig into but keep finding distractions and interruptions? What will you improve? How will you be better?