What is a goal?

We know we can get something done but – do we truly take the time to define what that ‘something’ is?

I want to take a minute to talk about – what makes something a goal?

We all walk with ideas and thoughts of what we want to get done in our lives.  Be it as simple as getting laundry done (I love the fresh scent of laundry – this is on my mind frequently 😊) or something big like preparing for a marathon (this is never on my mind).

Either way, it is important to define that ‘something’.  If you don’t articulate it, how do know what you are walking towards?

I think of a goal starting off as a thought cloud forming around you.  You know that there is something you need to do; there are many thoughts floating around you and it forms a mist. There is tones of thoughts, ideas acting as drops of light and water in that thought cloud.  I usually try to bring focus into that cloud and think of moving my thoughts in a way so they become a path and the cloud clears way.   Then that path of my thoughts becomes what I walk on to accomplish my goals.

My path doesn’t have to be straight; it can be curvy (especially if it’s something new I’ve never done before).  It can have bumps, rocks (or maybe boulders) but really my path is what I have to focus on.  All my actions are driving me on that path.

I find that once I start walking on that path, I figure out my way over the bumps and through the boulders and focus only on the end goal.  What might have started as a jumbled mess of thoughts and words in my thought cloud becomes something that is more focused – something I drive myself towards.

Of course, this is all great in theory, but a practical way I do try to focus is by writing.  Over the years, I’ve recognized the thoughts that go in my mind are based on some questions that I ask myself repeatedly.  What do I need to do to get that laundry done? I need to sort the clothes.  When do I want to do it during the day?  How will I feel when the laundry is done?  (I cannot tell you how much I love the smell of clean laundry).  For that bigger marathon goal – you have to really dig deep into the questions.   I’ve had mental conversations many times in life.  And after going through the thought clouds myself, I decided to write it on paper and that is what created the journal called My Path Forward.

Each page will give you a question to help you focus on making the decision and then walking that path to get to that destination, wherever it might take you.  I’ve added the link below for anyone who is curious into what it looks like. (ISBN on Amazon: M0D2067505908)  Amazon Store Link: My Path Forward | Track your Decision Making Thoughts

I know we all need help to channel the ideas and thoughts in our mind; the questions I’ve added in the book will help you channel those thoughts into words.  This will then help you remember that you are aiming for something bigger than yourself.  I hope it will help you clarify your thoughts and guide you to create your path forward.