Archive for the ‘Goals’ Category

We found this video posted on Facebook early this morning. We think Eric Thomas is setting a great example for us all. He’s showing others how to take charge of their lives and, ultimately, enjoy a Better Day! Check it out and let us know your thoughts after watching it.

Check out Part 2 of Eric’s Secrets to Success HERE.

Volkswagen had just launched the VW Beetle in 1960 to the U.S. market. Detroit was busy making vehicles which were expanding in size to suit growing baby boomer families. The Beetle was certainly unique in looks but that didn’t appear to be such a good thing..it wasn’t selling. To top things off, the round, lady-bug-like vehicle was produced in Wolfsburg, Germany at a plant recently controlled by the Nazis. To solve the problem, Volkswagen hired ad campaign manager Doyle Dane Bernbach. Mr. Bernbach came up with a print ad featuring a very small picture of the Beetle in the upper left hand corner of the page with the words Read the rest of this entry »

Complaining about my nine to five is normal. So is going to church on the weekends and having my apple pie with cheddar cheese. Dreading speaking in front of an audience seems normal, too. But which of these things are normal and which are natural? How is one to decide? The line between them is fine and is hard to see. Interpretations and personal beliefs cloud the two. Doing things that are accepted as “normal” are not always “natural” and may not always be the right choice. It’s important to take time to understand what is right because it’s normal, and what we should do differently to become more aligned with our nature. There are some guidelines to get us moving in the right direction.

Normal comes with a tendency to do things because Read the rest of this entry »

“You must take action now that will move you towards your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I’ve been hearing quite a bit about urgency and all it entails. Most people shutter at the sound of it. What Mr. Brown is trying to tell us is that we have to have a clear idea of what we want and then refuse to give up. Time is precious…we must be focused and determined. The only thing we are totally sure of is ‘now’…we don’t know how much time we have here in this physical form. I invite you to look at two urgency ‘breakers’ and two urgency ‘makers’ that have Read the rest of this entry »

Do you think goals are important? I participated in a rather energized debate on this very subject last night. This usually comes as a shock to most people, but I don’t have “goals” per se. I know what I love to do and I do what I love every day. But I haven’t set a bunch of targets as to what I want to achieve in my life by such and such a date.

I love to hike. I have very fond memories of a 10-day backpacking trip in the High Sierra’s within Yosemite National Park. I can conjure up amazing memories of that trip…the full moon shining down at night, bears wandering into camp, standing atop Cloud’s Rest at nearly 10,000 feet, cold water flowing down the Merced River. Every moment of that trip was an amazing experience. However, I did not have a “goal” to complete a 10-day backpacking trip. I merely let the experience unfold. Yes, I had a plan…but even that changed and evolved as each day of the trip unfolded.

Two weeks after that trip I had a day hike up Mt. Whitney planned. The most popular route to the summit starts at 8,360 feet. The hike is about 22 miles round trip with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet. I had determined that my “goal” was to complete the 22 miles within one day. The night before my planned hike, I camped near the start of the trail and set my alarm for 4:30am. I started up the trail around 5am. I arrived at the top somewhere near 1pm and returned to camp near 8pm. That’s really all I remember about the trip…the time I departed, time I made it to the top and what time I returned to camp. I reached my “goal” but did I enjoy the journey?

I’d rather live life to the fullest each moment of every day…and let it unfold spontaneously. Let me give you a few examples…

I’m planning to hike the Appalachian Trail. However, it’s not a goal. I know if I do hike the AT, it’ll be great. But, if instead the opportunity to visit Peru and hike Machu Picchu arises, I give myself the flexibility to follow that path if I so desire. Or, if a friend invites me to spend 45 days experiencing a guided tour of Canada from coast to coast, I’ll immediately jump all over that.

In addition, I think it would be pretty cool to write a book…but I haven’t picked a title or started writing. Again, it’s not a set goal. I don’t know the ins and outs of writing a book – finding a publisher, printing, marketing, etc. But, if I stumble upon someone with the know-how and expertise, I’ll grab that opportunity. I’ll throw myself into the activity with all my heart and soul.

Back to the debate I participated in last night… My friend indicated that he sets goals because they provide motivation. He’s willing to do something he doesn’t like doing (jogging to increase cardiovascular function) in order to achieve a goal (participating at a higher level in a very competitive sport he loves). I respect that…to each their own.

I simply want to live life to the fullest each and every moment of every day… and I encourage you to do the same. Pick a goal if you want, but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have one. Just get out of bed every morning and give it all you’ve got. Whatever you’re doing, just give it your all. May you find your passion and enthusiastically pursue it!

Make it a Better Day!