What an interesting topic!!! And, something I have been struggling with the past couple of years…I have always been a goal oriented person. I was taught from a very young age how to pick my goals, set them and then work towards each one of them everyday, in some way. And, I have always done that…even if it is something as silly as repeating them to myself twice before I fall asleep. I live, thrive on my goals. Which is now part of the reason I have the “heebie jeebies.”
I remember vividly telling someone who was struggling with the fact she felt she was never going to meet her goals that it was just time to change her goals. When she finished freaking out on me, I realized how very sad and frustrating it was for her to have spent a lifetime on these goals she had set for herself, yet it was likely unattainable. I felt her desperation, her loss, her anger, and therefore, promised myself I would rejoice when I could reach a goal, yet accept and move on when it wasn’t likely. I am in that situation now. I am on the precipice of “Do I keep working for my life long dreams?” or do I get a new goal/dream?
My goals, clear and set in my soul from the time I was very young, aren’t tangible, so to speak. I never set the goal of being a millionaire or driving a Benz or jumping out of a plane. I set different goals, and have worked, in some capacity, every day of my life to achieve them. They just happen to be long term, marathon (not sprint) type goals, so the results aspect isn’t necessarily clear. I have always “wanted” things: a convertible, a pool with a waterfall in my back yard, a big ol’ diamond on my finger, yearly tickets to the Super Bowl, my own plane and pilot at my beck and call, but none of those things were more important than my “intangible” goals.
Anyway, the cool thing I was put in the perfect situation to attain everything I ever wanted, it just so happens other people happen. “Other people” don’t always align with set goals. And, we come to the current dilemma…At what point do you decide to stick with something and at what point do you decide “Ah, fuck it, sister! Get a new goal! Get the Beamer convertible and drive your ass to somewhere warm! Toss the kids in a daycare and spend $30,000 on yourself! Don’t waste the best years of your life in the cold for NOTHING!”
So, as you can see, goals can be a tricky thing, especially when you have to give up on them. It can be hard – but totally doable – to set new and different goals. I am working on it now. Will have to let you know how it goes. 🙂