Where Do You Want To Go?

Here is another post from Lou Tice at the Winners Circle. In this one he talks about the importance of setting goals for ourselves — telling us why he thinks we should set them; and what we can gain as a result.

If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?

There are two very important things you have to know if you want to plan a journey. You have to know where you are, and you have to know exactly where you want to go. Once you know these two things, the rest becomes simple. You make a plan, which might be a map or a strategy, and you follow your plan.

Going through life without setting clear goals is a little like starting out on a trip with no idea where you intend to go. Now you might wind up having a very pleasant time, but the odds are against it. Somewhere along the line, you will have to make some choices. Now would you rather decide where to go based on the things you happen to have with you, or would you rather pack things that are appropriate for the destination?

Having clear goals helps you to avoid time-consuming side trips down roads that lead nowhere. Clear goals act like the rudder on a ship. They steer you in the direction you have chosen, and help you avoid the dangerous currents and rocks that might otherwise run you aground or take you to the last place on earth you want to go.

Finally, goals give you a sense of accomplishment and reason to celebrate, because you know when you’ve arrived. Do you know where you want to go in your life? If not, it will be worth your time to find out. Start goal-setting today. Wherever it is, you can get there!

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute

Over the years I’ve had several people try to instil in me the importance of setting goals. But I’ve never really been totally convinced. Possibly, I think, because they’ve usually been people who wanted me to sign up to their latest network marketing venture and to go on to make my fame and fortune — something I’ve always been somewhat sceptical about.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the value of goal-setting set out so well as Lou Tice has in this post. It suddenly makes some sense. But I guess that’s just what I’ve come to expect from Lou Tice: he does make sense; and he does get me thinking — a lot!

Will I try to set more goals for myself? I think I might. I like to be organised, and can do that when I have something specific to do. But I quite often find myself drifting along not really knowing where I’m going, or what I want to do. Perhaps setting more goals will help me be more organised about things, something that will be good for me. We can be too busy, and I’m sure a certain amount of drifting means I can be open and available to God. But I can waste far too much time.

Another interesting, and thought-provoking post from Lou Tice at the Winners Circle. I always get something from these daily emails; if you think you might, do please consider signing up yourself — it doesn’t cost anything.