Are you obsessed with your goals?

Typically we set goals around things that are important to us in life or business.

A clear goal gives us something specific to aim for in a specific time frame. It focuses our minds and helps us to maintain motivation as we work towards it.

But having goals can also turn us into obsessed, boring people. Balance is difficult and some goals can feel all consuming. And when you achieve one goal, it is tempting to immediately start striving for the next one.

It is important to enjoy the journey you're on as you work towards your goal. A life focussed purely on one singular outcome at a point in the future is not a happy way to live. 


To give you the best chance of happiness as you work on achieiving your goals, consider these tips:

- practice mindfulness to help you stay in the present moment. It isn't healthy for us to dwell too much on the past or future - it keeps us from living in the present and enjoying the current moment. 

You don't want to be at a live rugby match with friends and spend the time obsesessing about your work e-mails, or what calorie controlled meal you can have for dinner. Watch the rugby! Laugh with your friends. Be in the moment and enjoy it.


- celebrate en route. Look for quick wins on the journey towards your goal. Do you need to onboard 5 new clients this year? Celebrate each one as they sign! Do you want to bench a certain weight? Celebrate at regular increments. This draws you into the present moment, boosts your energy and validates that this is still a goal worth aiming for.


- remember your personal values. One of my friends was saving for a house deposit so declined all social invites and felt lonely as a result. But there are always other options right? She could pop over for tea, or suggest we all go for a walk around the local park.

Having a financial goal doesn't mean you can't see anyone! People can go to unnecessary lengths for their goals - be aware this could be you. Check in with what's important to you - it won't be this one goal, it will be 4-5 priorities. Don't drop everything for one of your priorities, you don't need to be miserable while you work towards a goal.

 

We need to get better at being happy now, in the present moment. Appreciate and enjoy the journey.

Getting the big promotion, going on your dream holiday and being skinny won't bring you long term happiness.Achieving the goal is a short term win. You'll soon think of the next goal and stay in this 'striving' mindset, constantly thinking you'll be happy when you hit that next target.

So I still set goals and believe they help us improve performance. But I take care to stay happy and enjoy the journey :). Does this resonate with you?

Wishing you all the best

Kat

P.S. In short, goals are good and bad. Be careful of constantly striving for goal after goal. Remember to enjoy the present moment!

P.P.S. If you're interested in this subject I like this 3 minute video from Dr Russ Harris on YouTube. He has a great way of explaining why we shouldn't obsess about our goals.