The scary part about having goals is, once we’ve written them down, we’ve created structural tension.
Existential pressure. A gap between who we are and who we want to be.
Which means, we’re on the hook. There’s an apparatus of accountability that now exists the world, and if we don’t take action toward those goals, it’s going to drive us crazy.
My ritual is to set one hundred goals every year. It’s a creative, inspiring and empowering exercise, especially when I get to take the list out of my wallet each month to monitor my progress.
But what’s interesting is, whenever I get stuck in one of my sad slumps, when the season of life is one where joy doesn’t come easily, I won’t even look at my goals. Because I just know there will be a sense of disappointment that will make me feel disgusted with myself.
It’s like the fear of stepping on the scale the day after the superbowl. Why even bother when that number is going to be seven pounds heavier than you want?
That’s how we psyche ourselves out.
Out of sight, out of mind. This isn’t happening. Let’s just sweep those pesky little goals under the rug and avoid the confrontation.
But the good news is, most things in life are never as bad as they seem. Only as bad as we convince ourselves they are.
Behan once wrote that many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step will carry us clear through them. And that’s the beauty of setting goals. No matter how scared we are to gauge our own progress, odds are, we’re already closer to the finish line than we might have thought.
I recently pulled out my goal sheet for the first time in three months. But instead of childishly covering my eyes like a fleshy blindfold, I faced reality. And to my delight, the year was going better than I had anticipated.
Taking stock of the distance I had traveled gave me a deep sense of pride, momentum and encouragement.
Proving, that when we report the truth to ourselves, we strengthen structural tension, which helps us mobilize energy we can use in creating.
It’s time to stack the cards in your favor.
Have a good look at yourself and find ways to appraise your situation positively.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How are you practicing tolerating all of the uncomfortable emotions associated with conflict and confrontation?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.
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A Year in Hot Yoga: 365 Daily Meditations for On and Off the Mat.
Now available wherever books are sold.
Namaste.
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