Tamekia and I (Patrick) both feel strongly about the importance of goals. As Tamekia often says, "if you don't have goals, you're just existing," and that really resonates with me. Personally, I'm very goal-oriented. Every day, I wake up with the drive to get something done. I don't really enjoy lazy days, but I know I need them from time to time, so when I take a break, even that has to be planned. If resting is the goal, then fine, I'll rest. But if not, I'm all about making progress.
Keeping My Word to Myself
Take my running goal, for example. I aim to run at least 100 miles each month, and it feels like a big letdown if I miss that mark. I push myself to stay on track because it's about more than just hitting a number. For me, sticking to my goals means keeping my word to myself. If I let excuses creep in for one goal, what's stopping them from creeping in for everything else? I can't stand that idea. I honor my commitments, whether they're to others or to myself.
Not Everyone Is Motivated the Same Way
Now, just because I hold myself to this standard doesn't mean I expect everyone else to. People are motivated by different things, and that's fine. Some are driven by accomplishment, while others chase money, status, or something entirely different. The important thing is that you're working towards something. Like Tamekia says, if you don't have goals, you're just existing, floating through life without passion. And honestly, that's not the path to happiness.
But goals aren't the whole picture. We believe that to feel truly fulfilled, it's also important to love yourself, love your family, and love God. It's about balance.
Good, Better, Best
When it comes to setting goals, my advice is to break them down. For bigger goals, I like to think in terms of "good, better, best" levels. And for daily tasks, I find it really helpful to keep a list and just check things off. It keeps everything manageable and gives you a sense of progress, even on the small stuff.
This is just the start of our conversation about goals, and there's so much more to explore. You can hear more of our thoughts in our podcast, Getting Started with Goals: Simple Steps for Success, wherever you typically listen.