I reflected about a few goals I've been working on. As I reflected, I realized that these goals took a lot longer than I expected. Now that I'm at the other side of those goals--goals related to a number of household fix-up and organization projects, I find I have more time for new pursuits. I also realize that the goals we have often take a lot longer than we expect--I expected to have these goals completed by the end of September, and here we are, almost mid-December, and I finally feel like I've made some good headway wth these goals.
Why is this important?
First, we can't beat ourselves up when it comes to goals that take longer than we expect. Instead we have to be realistic and build in significant time for good goals. To rush the goals often means that the work takes more time in the long run since rushing creates problems with regard to doing good work.
Also, we have to recognize that thoughtful goals will take time. The goals I made were important--the satisfaction and betterment in our home thanks to completing those goals is significant. We have to stay committed to good goals even though those goals will likely take more time than we anticipate.
And, we have to scaffold those goals. It's clear that I had to complete these initial projects first before I could move on to other goals--I had to essentially set the stage for new goal setting and goal work, and to set the stage meant completing a lot of at-home organization and clean-up jobs. The jobs were not fun, but necessary, and that actual hands-on work was a great teacher about what's important--importance that will empower future goals too.
This morning, I'm thinking about the next layer of goals--goals that I hope will be completed by next fall. I've been hoping to achieve these goals for a long time, personal goals that will build my capacity to achieve some even deeper, more significant goals after that.
I mostly love the activity of identifying and working towards good goals. I understand the typical upside down bell-curve that this goal work takes on--there is lots of hopeful excitement at the start, and then about midway there's a real discouraging dip that includes doubt and worry, and then you start to climb up again with hopefulness and enthusiasm as you approach the goal attainment. Knowing the landscape of goal achievement helps you to stay the course, and being flexible, reflective, and responsive along the way helps to. Onward.