Reaching a Goal: Can You Only Enjoy the View From the Top?

The sun was blazing hot, and the hike to the top was a slow, steady pace along the switchback trail snaking its way above Lake Louise.  Every so often we needed to stop for a drink of water, and that’s when the magic happened.  Pausing meant we had time to take in the view, notice the small alpine flowers poking their heads out of the rocks, and rest. 

I’m thankful for the heat that day because it forced me to slow down and pace myself.  Sure, I hoped to make it to my goal, a teahouse high up in the plains.  But let me tell you, the view along the way was pretty spectacular.

How often do you set out to reach your own goal and become so laser-focused that you don’t notice anything around you?  Or have a belief that reaching that goal, the proverbial top of the mountain, is the only thing that counts?  If you’ve worked in a corporate environment I’m sure the concept of goal setting is familiar to you.  Management books and work culture hammer into our heads that we must have X many goals as they are the only way to achieve success.  While I don’t disagree to goal setting per se, they can be land mines that leave us feeling discouraged and losing focus and drive. 

The next time you set yourself goals, whether work or personal, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Be realistic. If your goal is to complete a triathlon, don’t sign up for one next month.  Set a realistic plan to build up your training so that you have the endurance to complete the event.  The same is true for any large undertaking…build up to it.
2. Be conscious of the time it may take. Are you a people pleaser who winds up overpromising things?  And then gets overwhelmed by it all?  If you think you can get it done in a month, double the time.
3. Just whose goal is it? Sure, at work goals often are collective and company oriented.  Personal goals, however, are just that.  Are you setting ones that you think will please someone else?  Or yourself?
4. Do any of your goals put a spring in your step, make your heart sing, or feel pure joy? Why weigh yourself down with a list that feels heavy and conventional?  Mix it up with goals to travel, take an art class, volunteer, or whatever rocks your boat.

Enjoying the challenge and feeling inspired to reach our goals is a real balancing act.  Focus on a few at a time, acknowledge when you’ve mastered a tricky phase, and sprinkle in goals that light you up.   While the view at the top of the mountain indeed is a doozy, there are plenty of views to enjoy along the way that will keep you energized, motivated, and well-rested.