The importance of setting a goal

A goal doesn't have to be grand.

It's true that having a big goal can move us toward achieving it, and can push us to transform ourselves into the version capable of living and sustaining the life we long for. It's fine to have a big goal.

It's also fine if you recognise that, to get there, you need to "slice" the plan into smaller, more easily reachable objectives.

What matters is taking steps and, above all, recognising that you're on the way to achieving your goal.

Often, we set ourselves a big goal and, in order to reach it, we're not fully aware of the path we're taking to conquer it. Then the emotions that come up along the way sweep us up, and the circumstances that arise hijack us, keeping us from enjoying the process.

Everyday life, what's happening in the world, and our responsibilities can make us lose focus. Also, the emotional process itself that's needed to achieve that goal can lead us through mazes that hijack our mind, and instead of enjoying it, we settle into complaint and pessimism, feeling that achieving that goal might be "hard" or "a mountain", running the risk of losing motivation and throwing in the towel.

That's why it's important to subdivide the plan into small objectives that, like steps, will get us to the top and let us achieve our main goal. It's also important to stay aware that what we're doing is part of a bigger plan. That way, when the emotions that come with each challenge hit us, they don't hijack us, and we understand that everything is part of that plan.

We can live the climb to the top with awareness, or without it. The difference will be the degree of satisfaction we come to feel as we go up.

I've climbed both ways, and I've been able to become aware of it, especially when I've done it without being aware I was climbing toward achieving a goal.

I've achieved many goals, and I feel happy to be able to acknowledge that, because it shows me that I can do it.

Now I have a map, the product of the self-knowledge I've gained from walking so many paths toward my goals. And its message is clear: staying focused is a priority.