Its The Journey, Not The Destination
Don't you just hate clichés like the one illustrated in the headline of this article? I know I do. But love them or hate them, most of us must admit that such adages and clichés are often grounded in truth, and this one is no different.
Many people view goals in a one-dimensional manner: you either succeed or you fail. It's understandable why people view goals in such a black and white manner, because as humans we tend to be very results-oriented, and it's this single-minded tenacity and critique that has allowed us to develop from cavemen around a campfire to modernized individuals living in a world with satellites, computers and medical miracles.
But this strength can also be a weakness when you close your mind to the big picture and instead focus purely on the end result. For example, let's say I wanted to develop a secondary income stream to help pay some extra bills. I decide that since Internet marketing is a relatively "cheap" way to enter the business world, I'll develop a website that offers dog training books to dog owners via an affiliate program.
Three months go by and my site receives little traffic, and the traffic it does receive is so unfocused that my sales conversion is horrible. Did I fail? In a black and white world, absolutely - I'm not making any money, thus I failed. But let's look at the big picture a little closer, shall we?
During those three months while it's true that did not make any money, here's what I did do:
- I learned how to build a website. Perhaps it's not the fanciest site in the world, but it gave me a solid foundation upon which I can build better websites in the future.
- I developed a better understanding of what I need to do to promote a website in the various search engines.
- I learned how to locate and join various affiliate programs that complements the theme of my site.
- I learned that because my traffic was not targeted enough (I received too many non-pet owners or non-dog owners), sales conversions were minimal.
- And most importantly of all, I took a step forward in the right direction rather than just sat back and dreamt about my goal, which is more than most people do.
The above example uses a business-oriented website, but surely you can see how this would apply for any task or goal. If after a week of dieting you lost no weight, you know you've done something wrong and should tweak your formula. If after a month of studying a foreign language you still don't have any of the basics down, you know you're too distracted or undedicated at your current pace and thus need to up the ante a bit. No matter what your goal may be, failure is never the end of the road ? it's a lesson that will lead to future success.
Copyright 2005 Goals and Motivation.com
Jeffrey Rolo is an experienced human resources manager, business owner and also the owner of Goals and Motivation.com, a website offering a free 20+ page guide on goal setting. Visit http://www.goals-and-motivation.com to view this guide as well as other articles about goals and management.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:50:53 GMT This week in Apple: New notebooks, new writers, and more Woz - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Jacqui Cheng | Published: October 11, 2008 - 09:30AM CT This week's most-read Apple news was all over the map, but in a good way. Don't Buy A Mac Laptop* Apple may launch new laptop Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:43:05 GMT Nobel Peace Prize winner wants jobs for the young - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP HELSINKI, Finland: Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari said Saturday that finding jobs for more than 1 billion young people in the Middle East and Asia will be a major challenge to peacebuilding in the next decade. Ex-President Of Finland Is Awarded Peace Prize Nobel Finn Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:12:07 GMT Marriage ruling not the end of debate in Conn. - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Now that the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled same-sex couples have the right to wed, opponents of gay marriage are pinning their hopes on an infrequent ballot question in a longshot bid to block the unions. Video: Connecticut Court Allows Gay Marriage Conn. Ban On Gay Marriage Reversed Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:41:18 GMT Palin hammers Obama on the abortion issue in Johnstown - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took her message to voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, lashing out at Sen. Barack Obama for his views on abortion. Palin drubs Obama on abortion during Pa. rally Palin Gets Personal On Abortion Issue Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:06:21 GMT Obama Aims for Electoral Edge, Block by Block - New York Times
New York Times - Lukas McGowan is focused on getting voters out on Election Day. “Once we register them,†he says, “that’s only half the job. Obama thanks McCain for remarks, presses attack FOX News poll: Obama leads McCain Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:21:34 GMT Stevens's Reputation 'Sterling,' Powell Says - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Del Quentin Wilber Former secretary of state Colin L. Powell told jurors in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens yesterday that the powerful Alaska Republican had a "sterling" reputation among the nation's military and political leaders. Reporter's Notebook: Powell Takes the Stand for Stevens Powell says Sen. Stevens' integrity "sterling" Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:13:53 GMT GM Is Said to Be in Preliminary Talks With Chrysler (Update2) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Jeff Green Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. is in preliminary talks with Cerberus Capital Management LP's Chrysler LLC about a possible merger or other partnership, people with direct knowledge of the talks said. Source: Chrysler, GM discuss merger, acquisition GM mulled Chrysler acquisition: Huh? Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:39:15 GMT Amazon RSS Feed Generator |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... There is an old story that tells of a man... Read More The rewards of life come to those who do, not... Read More What is social acceptance? Why is it so important? What... Read More A subscriber recently wrote to me and asked me to... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 21,... Read More The physics professor with the unruly shock of white hair... Read More What if every experience in your life is sent to... Read More Discernment is an inner guide or compass. It is loving... Read More My friend Donald said to me one evening, "this is... Read More One of the major reasons why we fail to find... Read More I thought you might enjoy reading a professional article I... Read More We have all grown up in an age where exploration... Read More Jeremiah was certainly one of the most distinguished notables of... Read More Remember when you were really young? It was an era... Read More In the popular movie, "Remember the Titans" most of us... Read More Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that... Read More Many people think that their life is a disaster that... Read More Every morning when singer-songwriter Michael Alan looks into the mirror... Read More What would you change if you knew you would be... Read More Life is what happens to you, while you are making... Read More Boy, do I feel old. Or at least older.No, I... Read More I just got back from Colorado where I spent a... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 7,... Read More There is nothing more important than feeling good.Come again? Didn't... Read More Whenever we are working on our dreams we are going... Read More
Adsense
websites
Go Ahead, Toss the Starfish!
Dare To Dream
One Woman, One Leg, No Job
Once in a Lifetime
Playing With Fire
Change is the Only Constant
The Most Powerful Question Ever Asked?
Discernment and Judgement
Perception
Wherever You Are, Be There
Where Has All the ENCHANTMENT Gone? Long Time Passing
The Dot
Flaming Fire Within Our Bones
Remember Within
Remember The Titans --Let Them Never Forget...
Delay Can Reveal Doubts
Experiences in My Life Prompted Me to Never Give Up
Musicians Survival was Truly a Miracle: Singer Songwriter Fights for his Life
Begin With the End In Mind - Tips to Make Your Life More Meaningful
Life
Life Goes On
Living on Purpose: One Rock at a Time
False Start
How To Turn Your Life Around FAST!
Keep on Keeping on!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Five Reasons To Journal
Keeping a journal during the coaching process is one of... Read More
Words That Can Leave You Powerless
The lines below come from this weeks mind treatment, written... Read More
Don?t Give Up!
Don't let anyone kid you. The road to self improvement... Read More
How I Get Joy as a Value
*In the last couple of months, I have been fortunate... Read More
Universal Thought Systems Language Part 2
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
Brilliant Autumn: Reaping a Bounteous Harvest
"But if in your thought you must measure time into... Read More
Life is a Mystery...or is it?
Being the last of three daughters, I was a suprise... Read More
My Passion, My Life
Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a... Read More
The Climbs In Our Lives
I grew up climbing mountains. Mountains are beautiful and challenging,... Read More
Meatballs: Friend, or Foe?
We all have those moments, don't we? We're right in... Read More
Money or Faith?
I've been to 64-countries, and yes money comes in handy,... Read More
Attaining Financial Freedom
Financial freedom is not about having enough money to spend... Read More
Generosity Is The Seed Of Wealth
Generosity, which includes the free, no strings-attached sharing of resources,... Read More
Night of the Living Dead
For many people, life has become as dull and despairing... Read More
Harsh Reality
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 25,... Read More
Its The Journey, Not The Destination
Don't you just hate clichés like the one illustrated in... Read More
Dont Ask Your Doctor
Perhaps I should ask my doctor if there is a... Read More
Sixty-Second Caring
"How are you doing?" you ask. There's a pause before... Read More
Forgotten Dreams: At the End... Part I
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will... Read More
Its Not My Job to Free Tibet
I hate saying that. It feels so very wrong. It's... Read More
Top 20 Love Quotations
"In real love you want the other person's good. In... Read More
Keep On Believing
It has been said that a man is what he... Read More
Time for Sunshine
Having spring around makes you feel different after such a... Read More
Faux Feelings
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 10,... Read More
Why Should We Keep Our Thoughts Clear?
From my experience some healings come instantly or during short... Read More
Inspirational |