I've always believed goal setting is the heartbeat of our lives.
Goal setting is one of the most powerful tools you have to create your best life. My question to you is… do you know what your best life is supposed to be?
I came upon my belief not from a book or a guru but from a realization I had many years ago. I found I was happy when I was chasing something bigger than myself that was also in alignment with how I felt on the inside. I was unhappy when I was checking items off my list and not honoring my true self.
After years of pondering, I concluded that a purposeful outcome would eliminate frustration and boredom and generate excitement and enthusiasm.
That leads me to the two definitions of goals:
1) The end toward which effort is directed.
2) An area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usually through or into which it must go to score points.
Most people treat goals like the number two, a To-Do list with a short-term outlook. People who focus on the first definition are long-term thinkers.
But what's the real difference?
What "end" do you place your focus on?
Heartbeat goal-setters know there are many "ends" before the ultimate termination point we call goal achievement. That's what excites and drives them. They purposely focus on that 'end.' Everything else is a step in the journey that is only needed to get to their pre-determined outcome.
Heartbeat goal setting. It's purposeful goal setting that ignites a fire in your belly, gives you a mission, and makes you happy. Everything else is an item on your To-Do list.