Goals shape the present, not the future.
2009-05-21
You have a goal you've been putting off.
You want to do it some day.
You've been meaning to take real action on it, but could use more motivation.
Let it go. It's a bad goal.
If it was a great goal, you would have jumped into action already. You wouldn't wait. Nothing would stop you.
Goals are not to improve the future. The future doesn't really exist. It's only in our imagination. All that really exists is the present moment, and what you do in it.
Judge a goal by how well it changes your actions in the present moment.
A bad goal makes you say, “I want to do that some day.”
A great goal makes you take action immediately.
A bad goal is foggy, vague, and distant.
A great goal is so clear, specific, and close you can almost touch it. (This is crucial to keep you going.)
A bad goal makes you say, “I'm not sure how to start.”
With a great goal, you know exactly what needs to be done next. (Even if just a phone call.)
A bad goal makes you say, “Let me sleep on it.”
A great goal makes you say, “I can't sleep! I was up until 2 doing this, then got up at 7 to do it some more.”
A bad goal makes you say, “That'd be nice.”
A great goal makes you say, “Oh my god! Yes! That would be amazing! I can't wait!”
A bad goal makes you say, “I'll do it as soon as I do this other stuff.”
A great goal is so interesting and important that you can't be distracted.
Some goals seem great. They impress your friends (“I'm going to bike across India”), satisfy an old wish (“I want to go into space”), or are good for you (“I'm going to lose 30 pounds”). But unless it changes your actions, right now, it's not a great goal. Find another variation that excites you.
Lastly, remember that the daily actions have to be exciting, too. “Speak fluent Italian” may sound nice, but “take Italian lessons an hour a day for two years” has to excite you just as much, or you'll never stick with it.
Glad to have you back...
Wow .... that is just a powerful message. And I wholeheartedly agree. It's all about the present moment. Sounds like a page from Eckhart Tolle, but that's the truth.
Can I also add that a goal is also great by how quickly you can pick up momentum from it. If you notice momentum in your life rising, then it's a great goal. But if you notice you're at the same position as you were before announcing your goal, it's bad.
Great article, Derek. A friend (who I had recently turned on to your podcast and adventures earlier this week) and I were just today speaking about another friend who has "always wanted" to do his own comic book.
Twenty years later he is saying the same things he was saying when I knew him back in school.
I think I'll forward him this article.
I can't agree more! These goals that appear on a to do list for years...... I let them go.
Having the moment take over is such a relief.
And the only way to get 100% of my power.
In the last year I recorded and posted 135 Morning Tune Up videos. I could only do it because it was fun and exiting, all these mornings.
Some goals will not be achieved if the timing is bad.
Diving into something at the wrong moment can mean failure and a missed goal.
Putting it off isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Yes Yes Yes! This speaks to me. I stumbled across my calling earlier this year. I realized it when I didn't mind missing sleep for days at a time just to make progress. It's a beautiful journey. Thanks Again for sharing, Derek.
Fine BUT not if one believes that there is more to life than the moment
ALSO
one can take action immediately but NOT achieve immediately. Should you then give up if you do not achieve -obviously not
Look at William Wilberforce who helped defeat slavery - a lifetime's work based on a single goal which was defeated at every step (Abe Lincoln had similar problems if I recall)
However .
as my son is using your blog to beat me up I am bound to be anti BUT
Always good (and inspiring) to read your words Derek even if this time I don't fully agree
Andrew
PS at least it made me more resolved to continue with the current 'goal' rather than ditch it (just to prove you wrong!)
Great insight here, Derek, thanks for sharing it with us!
Yes, it is what excites us the most in the Moment that is our true gift of Life. That's why it is called The Present!
A music friend give me this advise; If you have a new record on the way - don't talk about it! Better off giving the press and fans some 'spices' - like free live recordings available on the Net.
S i g v e <3
Always so impressed with your perspective. I look 4ward 2 the day I bump into you @ a conference.
«Tomorrow does'nt exist;
it is always now» S.P.
hmmmm... i don't agree fully. you have many good points, but i do think that sometimes we hesitate because we don't know how to achieve something and need more information.
if we can visualize the plan and work out what needs to be undertaken today, in the "now" we often leap forward with energy and focus.
the other part here is that fear of the unknown can put us off going for something we dream of.
i like the old saying "do one thing every day that scares you". if this is tackling a long time "goal" that you are hesitating on, then chances are you're going to be expanding your comfort zone, and that's a good thing in my book!!
thanks for the conversation starter...
tamara
Another observance...do you find the people who keep putting things off until tomorrow, those who have that great idea but never get the time to start it, become the biggest critics of those who do find the time and energy to work on their dreams?
I've just found that the people in my life who really wish they were doing what I was doing (making their dreams, if not a success, at least some sort of reality) are the first ones to criticize and point out "how they would do it right if they had the time"?
Have you found this as well?
Great advice. You must have read Think and Grow Rich, one of my favorites!
I completely agree, this is why I don't make goals for a longer timeframe than 6 months (and I usually aim for much less than that). Something that's going to take longer than 6 months is too far away to be motivating to me. Also I think you can accomplish pretty much anything in 6 months!
So true my friend. everytime I have a really strong goal or I'm driven I don't have to think about the motivational process. I'm up late, and early getting it done. This happened recently when I was getting all of my new digital stuff lined up for our new album. I.S.R.C.s and Gracenote etc..
All cool stuff. Now it's back to work for me on goals for the day. Thanks! Todd
I love the motivation but----- I've gotten head over heels a number of times on goals that ended up being worthless. On the other hand, I've trudged uncomfortably along towards other goals and have been greatly rewarded. Moment to moment excitement can leave you empty and worn out if you aren't careful. Thanks for the inspiring thoughts, the spark is always welcome-----
Derek gives positive context to the word booster. ;)
What if the ultimate goal is to have no goals?!
Derek, I've known for years and knew you were on ball but holy mac I am impressed and inspired. Once again, I find myself saying Thank you.
I'll have to send some chocolate covered coffee beans like I used to do (lol).
Until later
Emo
thats why i gave up music!!! oh the joy of being free!
but what a shame i dont make music anymore
Thank you for the message.
I do find that some people get excited about a goal, but they don't follow through. I do think some goals are right for people, but they may have personal issues / something holding them back, and so they can't follow through.
If people are dedicated enough, some will go on to solve their personal hold backs / issues and get on with the goal and succeed,
others will fall off track and get on and off with the goal and never achieve that much.
As a wise person said, 'if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no.'
Hi Derek,
I'm not in agreement, but maybe in a complex way. I kinda have a issue with the word goal. It is too hard and fast, too concrete. There are things that I have wanted to do, That I couldn't do when I first wanted to do them. I wouldn't even call them aspirations. Eventually I got to do them.
Back in 1999 , or 2000, I got it in my head that I might be able to write songs with Johnnie Johnson. I had started writing in 1997. Anyway, I met Johnnie, and we spoke in person, then on the phone, and then met in person. But for a variety of reasons, inculding me not being ready, it did not happen. But, in 2002 Johnnie played on a record I produced. In late 2004 I collaborated with Johnnie on all the songs for what unfortunately became his final record. I proudced it, on my label. Never had a goal till the last moment. Had i not had a pipedream back in 99 or 2000, it never woulda happened. And honestly, till I was into it, I never had a goal.
But there is something to what you say. I've never got it in my head how to approach the business end of all this. My pipedreams, and
when I've had short term goals, my goals (like completing a recording project ), have all been creative. They've never includeed the business end, which is a mysterious quagmire for me. So i can see what you are saying, but, more in relation to the business end of things.
Great point Derek. The HARDEST part of it all is finding enough time in the day when you FEEL you have some GREAT goals you want to achieve.
I know some people might read this and say, "I don't have any 'great' goals." To which I say, "You need to find your passion." But then some ask, "How do you find your passion?" To which I reply, "You don't. Your passion finds you."
*Jared
Nice one man, good to seeya back on the blogverse. Yes indeed, "all that exists is the present moment", reminds me of all that Eckhart Tolle I have been reading.
And sometimes it is just nice to have some long term things you'd like to do "biking across India" is great but maybe only possible when you are between jobs..and why not? When you do have the time, then it is a good opportunity to go for that bike ride!
Although I would say it is good to have some sort of long term aspirations. Even the slightest step towards achieving it is a good thing, each journey starts with a step
I agree with the notion that now is the only time that really exists; yesterday's a memory, and tomorrow's imaginary. Any time other than now is in your head!
I remember when I finally got tired of waiting on others to help me complete my first recording project. I decided that I wanted to release a recording in three months at most. Though I didn't immediately have the money to purchase the equipment I needed, my immediate action was to begin research. Collecting information became a goal. Next was finding funding. The list goes on from there.
This is all to say that the end may not come immediately, but the importance of any goal is reflected in one's actions toward accomplishing it right now.
Great post. If ideas exist then the future exist if only as an idea. I think goals have to be set within a context of vision for your life and a purpose. It would be fun for me to learn Italian but how does fit with me wanting to be a legendary spoken word hip hop artist that works with the youth?
Often people set goals with out doing the soul searching first. Goals are the checkpoints on life's path and many don't what path there life is on. They hit the goal then are like what next. Short term excitement can lead you in the wrong direction and be fear in excitements clothing.
I don't think there are good or bad goals. There are just motivated and unmotivated people. It's like, I don't think there are bad businesses. There are bad business people who make them fail. Execution is everything. It's all about the person doing the task.
Aloha Derek,
Our friendship goes back several years. Its always good to share thoughts about marketing, promo' and Industry in general. You have a beacon for many, I included. Take care and God bless you.
DEREK,
THANKS AGAIN FOR AN AWESOME AND INSPIRATIONAL TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.
Good stuff Derek as always. The only caviat I would make to your argument is that while your goals do affect your present, they do also affect one's future as well.
The choices we make dictate the lives we lead. And that includes all future decisions. Actions have consequences, both good and bad depending on the ones we make for us. The other key is to own our decision and not let others decide for us what is best.
This way we can't blame anyone else for our choices and we can own them when we succeed and they work.
Hey Derek,
Always interested in what you have to say. Very inspiring. I just finished reading a great book on this subject, "Success Principles, How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be" by Jack Canfield (author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul book series). It's all about goal setting and how to really put the walk to the talk. It's an amazing book and my whole band is reading it together and working through the excercises. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to turn their dreams into reality and succeed at achieving the goals they set. They can check it out at: http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com/
Peace,
Mark
I agree that when setting goals that loving the process is just as important if not more important then the outcome. Also I believe when setting seemingly impossible goals for oneself that one is best served to erase the concept of time from the outcome and have faith that consistent action with right attitude will lead one to what's best for them. Let the process lead you not the outcome.
I think I would replace 'good' and 'bad' with realistic and attainable or unrealistic and fantasy. It's so much easier to choose and enjoyble to choose a goal that you can take realistic actions and steps toward in the here and now.
Re: "... the daily actions have to be exciting ...," discipline doesn't require excitement.
Hi Derek,
Great article.Everyday should be
our grammy! After all we should celebrate our success with a positive affirmation. Thanks for the reminder
Jeff
Great post Derek !
Thanks for the inspiration.
I have a goal, and i'm loving every minute of it, my goal ??
To set and and make a living out of creating a record label..and then watch my fellow artists rise to fame and fortune
Nikhedonia - Scientific name for the pleasure derived from anticipating success.
Your article makes me think of this. A goal no matter how unrealistic it may seem to others must stimulate you to the point of immediate action.
Of course you may still be off your rocker - but, yes the chance of that goel becoming a reality has a much better chance if you feel great about it.
"It's hard to argue with a confident man"
This by-far is the best information you give someone. I beleive in what you are saying, when I started trying to build my record label,second guesting, listening to negative experts,almost got the best of me and I started to quit,but I soon discovered, that my ideas was good because they made complete sense, an d bad ideas caused me to put things off,because there were questions. That was 38 years ago, today I deal with the good goals that changes things.
You always speak the truth, Brother Sivers! Keep it coming.
My goal is to practice my trumpet today. Tomorrow, my goal will be to practice my trumpet today...
Well, mostly I agree but I have trouble with the term 'bad goal'. If it's nagging at you enough to say 'some day' there maybe something to it. It's true, if it's keeping you from being fully present with what you are doing... then it's best to let it go.
I do find that sometimes I avoid things because I know how consuming they will be. Once I step into the waters of a new project... then the passion takes over and I can't stop until it's done.
Yes I agree with you totally. Better to do things that excite the soul then not do anything at all.
That´s ok but I think where start and finish a goal or what´s a bad and better goal.
I suppose this depend yourself sometimes and others you haven´t this control.
All artist expect leave to be an unknown, each day put on computer, open the site of the sales and say: today neither, and then think: I´m being cheated, thi´s not possible.
Well, I´m waiting that My God!Yes!
Derek,
Good motivational passage but I don't fully agree. I am in the process of developing strategies that will help me achieve my goal but there are days where time to commit to the expansion of my ideas seems scarce. I do think that the 'plan of attack' is as important as the goal itself. If you commit time everyday to any part of the process you're still on the path. To paraphrase Chris above, 'Rome wasn't built in a day'.
Hey Derek! Very true
It almost makes me think that you've read a couple of Eckhart Tolle books (ie: "The future doesn’t really exist. It’s only in our imagination. All that really exists is the present moment, and what you do in it." ... very inspiring. Thanks for that!
Peace!
Loved the line that summed it perfectly.. "If it's not Hell Yes, it's no".
Derek, I miss you running cdbaby!! You make a few good points, however, I once read that successful people do the hard things that unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Some things take working through the muck until you get to the satisfaction at the other end. Do you think we would have any doctors, reformers, or many other difficult professions on this planet if they all tossed out their goals when it didn't "feel good" that day? That's a hippie philosophy. It is true that "Man is, that he might have joy", however, we earn that joy and achievement through "the sweat of our brow" many times. Not that I endorse misery or miserable people. Some things take much longer than others to achieve, and require that special word called commitment.
Agh Yes, the goal is the little spell we cast
upon ourselves in order to inspire us to do something perceived better than what we
would normally be doing to right now.
So create a vacuum and the goal must flow
like a river's water seeks it's own level. And as universal law, it must.
~O
Reminds me of Matthew 6:34.....
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
D-Man thanks for the email and message, wise words being spoken you allways take the time to encourage others GOD made you a special person keep it comeing Bro.Shaka Banton
Thx
Derek. whether I comment or not, I always enjoy your insight
How will I ever twist a goal now?
Must disagree!
Take for instance one who is in prison. You think that person's goal is worthless because they haven't taken action on it? Some things cannot be acted upon until you are out of prison!
In another example: I have been writting children's story ideas down for years - never completed one (too busy gigin, right?!)
But I never gave up my goal to one day -in the future - do it. I kept writing it down on a goal-list. Year after year after year - same damn thing undone staring me in the face. I finally did it. I finished one this year and am seeking a publisher.
Keep setting goals for the future - they may be the only thing that drives you to tomorrow.
So how do I make a "bad goal" into a great goal? Just give it up? It feels pretty bad to walk away from some goals.
Great point you make-
But I do think sometimes fear is what makes me put off taking action. If I don't take action pretty much immediately, and instead sleep on my great idea, I then wake up the next day thinking...well, thinking, "what was I thinking?"-
I sometimes have great marketing ideas, but they're also a little scary and out of my comfort zone. So I put them off-
FEAR.
But yet, a good goal.
Thanks Derek...Great advice and it sure makes you think about things.
Derek, again u hit the mark. Glad to read you again. Your brother DH
Great advice Derek! Only comment is that great goals sometimes take a while to ferment in the subconscious. What seems like a bad goal initially by your definition may turn into a great goal once your subconcsious has processed it and one day you wake up inspired. So don't totally ignore those "niggles" in your brain, some of them may explode into action one day! You can also suppress great goals due to fear and anxiety about consequences, those ones take a dash of courage!
Keep thinking out loud.
You help others.
Thanks for sharing, Derek Sivers!
Today is the tomorrow that yesterday we wished we had.
Blessings to you always for helping so many others achieve their goals!
Yes....very Zen. Be in the moment. Inhale and exhale. You still need to listen for the good goals and love all the aspects.
AWESOME! INSPIRATIONAL!
I KNOW that bear is going to get that candy!
I've been putting off doing a vocal for a song that, otherwise, is working out well. But I still think it's a good goal to do this vocal. I'm putting it off because it's not an easy song to sing (I jumped right on the easy songs). When I get the house to myself on a day when I'm not all exhausted and burned out from work, the vocal I do will sound much better than the one I could do right now, instead of typing this. Sometimes I just have to feel right, y'know?
But otherwise, good point.
Thank you Derek. Great inspiration.
I believe that goals give us direction and purpose in our lives. Without them, life becomes mundane and meaningless - and we'll find ourselves merely surviving, without a sense for what is really important to us.
I believe that if we contiually set achievable goals and accomplish them, we will enjoy life to the fullest!
Notwithstanding there is truth in the awareness that the only thing we really have is right now (see the book "Be Here Now" by Baba Ram Das), it sure is nice when a plan comes together! Even he had to do a bit of planning to make that book happen.
Peace from Venice CA,
ZD
that's very cool - 'goals shape the present, not the future.'
It's worth repeating so I did.
It's a succinct thought which has never rippled across my mind.
Does it also imply that
1/ goals shape the present and become the future only if that goal is desired enough?
2/ If so, does it imply that the goal therefore must be of real substance and worth ( at least to the person concerned ) to stand the test of time?
meanwhile the developing of the character goes on unceasingly if that is our central goal .... why am I starting to think of soccer and half time?
I enjoy being part of this community.
My next goal is a cup of 'you beaut' coffee before a night shift.
cheers to you all
Hi Derek,
Thanks for the reach out, good to see you back, not that you were ever gone in the first place!
I agree about the short term goals however without the catalyst of a pipe dream I dont think I would have done anything to get me to this point, so "Good" Goals important but longterm goals are as equally important, in my humble opinion that is.
Take care of your self,
Niall.
present moment is forever here and acting upon it, seizing it, and making things happen is the best goal ever.
Dan Fogelberg said:
"The lines of life are never long when seen from end to end.
The future's never coming, and the past has never been . . ."
Thanks Derek. This is short, sweet, and to the point on good and bad goals. You have become a Guru for us artists.
Princess THEOPATRA
Yeah Derek
Lukewarm goals come from the intellectual plane. Hot goals come from thru intuition from the spiritual plane, the Higher self or Whatever.
Thanks.
Painfully true, Derek.
Hi Derek,
I have always had goals in the music world. An early one was to sing on the radio. I did that. Then, I wanted to make a record. I did that, and am still doing it at nearly 74 years of age.
I've involved my best friend, Noelene in all of this.
Recently, a top radio broadcaster, who is a real admirer of my guitar work, said to me when I saw him in person, "Rex, have you ever thought of recording a strictly instrumental guitar album?"
I said, no, there are so many great guitarists out there, but I will give it some thought.
In fact, I knew right then, that I would do it, I would just do it in my own style, and as good as I can do it, and right now, the tracks are finalised, and I'm working really hard on it.
As time seems to pass so quickly these days, I may never get another chance, so I have taken the opportunity to also record our daughter Lorraine in a trio setting of one song, along with Noelene and myself, and it sounds pretty cool with the three-part harmony.
We enjoy giving enjoyment to people through our music.
Thank you for expressing your thoughts on goals, you sound like a really great guy.
Money is a limiter in some of my goals, but I do what i can, when I can, and am really enjoying life.
Rex.
Hi Derek. Thanks for sending me a so nice article, i really enjoyed it! You are right in everything you say and i'm going to take into consideration your advices. Thanks again!
Thank you Derek for this very clear and positive message. It takes guts though to let go of some of your goals because you think you want them or need them. The more so your message is important.
Very insightful indeed boss.....as usual Derek
I used to procrastinate about many issues such as Bass playing, producing/writing a Nu Jazz album (I'm majorly a Reggae artist) etc... I decided to strike while the 'goal was hot', and accomplished all the above. I don't know how I managed, I keep thinking it's all adrenaline!
Hi again, Derek,
As always, you give us a lot of foresight and
reflection, and one of my goals is to make
another Vocal CD with almost all Original
songs of mine, before I leave this earth.
A more important one is to show my love to
others as well as to my children,each day !
I hope you and your family are loving your
lives ! You have given a lot of hope and
encouragement to many people.
I, having been a Language Arts/Reading
Specialist, for some years, wish your responders would make complete sentences
and spell a bit more accurately !
All the best, Marti
ABsolutely bullshit!
NO! Just kidding! LoL
IT´S THE little things, that count!
NOT THE QUaNTATIty, but the Quality!
HERE
We come to an OLD BIRDSAY.
Folks,
it´s not
What ya do. IT`S how ya do it.
IT`S not WHAT ya have been THROUGH.
IT`S HOW YA been through.
CARRIED WATER IS NOT GONNA STAY IN THE WELL. FINNISH PROVERB.
Man independence is not PEACE.
GOD dependence is PEACE.
C.K.G
PEACE IS RETURN TO THE SOURCE.
Something can´t say here. guess.
That's great insight...thanks
The future is now, I agree, what I do now matters...very interesting.
It's great to see you back in blog mode. Always an inspiration. You remind me of a music industry version on Donald Shimoda from Richard Bach's 'Illusions'. hahaha
Honestly, I believe that even a bad goal may be salvaged after reading this article. To some, just being taught the difference between the two could possibly trigger the change!
I think I'm going to be the only one to disagree with this. Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I think there are MANY worthy goals that you may not get to right away.
At least, that's how it is for me. I have lists of things I want to do, but only have so much time in one day, so I tackle them as I can. What I find is that the list may just keep getting longer, but I can always find something on it that's inspiring at that moment - and then I'll do it. The ones that turn out to be not inspiring just fall further and further down the list - they may never get done, or maybe it's not the right time for them. Sometimes it's that an idea has to 'bake' awhile - you know you're onto something, but the first ideas about it aren't quite right, so you give it some thought and some time and suddenly it makes sense.
Hello Derek,
I am 72 years old and I've been in and around music since early childhood,and professionaly since my teens. No matter what. Career or no career. Gig or no gig. Music makes me happy. My goal is to thank God for it and love it more each day and keep working hard at it.
Right here and now I am enjoying the business end of it for the first time. Thanks to situations like CDBaby I am enjoying being in charge of my own musical world.
Straight ahead,
Robert
Hello Derek and thanks for sharing. Very good thoughts and I agree on all of them. Sure, there are lots of good goals but there's only so much time so in order to get something done it is important to be 100% inspired to be able to stick to it. I find myself becoming more efficient when I let go of things that I have thought that I wanted for years. It's actually a relief
Cheers and keep up the good work.
I created a goal a year ago to do a live concert and make a DVD from it.
This goal was first in its thougt stage, i thought about how to do al the things neccesary.
Now the goal is in its materialistic stage finance from sponsors is comming in and the music programm is almost finnished.
I can now say that my goal is at this moment in time shaping my future, and will be part of my past after passing that stage.
;-)
Hi Derek!
I agree with some of your thoughts but not all.
for eaxample it is not a bad goal to say i want to do that someday.... you can't learn to play an instrument well overnight and so you do need time .
Also the future is real right in front of you there is no today without tomorrow when today is over if you don't have tomorrow you won't have today ......and it keeps ticking minute by minute right in front of you.... but i think you know that .thanks for your thouhts .GPL Max
HI Derek, it is always so nice to read your thoughts and advice. thanks for sharing your brain...
My goal besides making music and singing is to figure out how this web 2.0 networking stuff really works ....and to cultivate as many friends/fans as i can imagine through the internet... Goal: a worldwide e-list.... hmmm Peace
Lea
That is one of the best articles about goals I've ever read and as true as it gets!
THIS is what i have to but action needed’ve been meaning to take real action on it,
Well, mostly I agree but I have trouble with the term ‘bad goal’. If it’s nagging at you enough to say ’some day’ there maybe something to it. It’s true, if it’s keeping you from being fully present with what you are doing… then it’s best to let it go.
Great to hear from you again, Derek, and another excellent article-Thanks!
There are two kinds of people: those who sleep and dream, and those who get up and do something about it.
Our goals are shaped by dreams, and every dream is a fantasy. The wisdom to transform fantasy into reality, this is where the magic begins!
I think procrastination needs detailed discuusion and thought before even considering goals, targets,dreams or wishes!!!
THANKS!
I am going to share this with my 2 classes here at Musicians Institute.
Keep sending out your inspiring thoughts!
Derek, thank you so much for your insight on goals. I really enjoy your writing.
While reading your blog, a little zing went off in my mind, as it became undeniably clear that I had been putting far too much energy into finding ways to fulfill unnecessary goals.
Efforts that stole me away from my music and creativity, allowing countless deviations from anything that excited me . All this to satisfy expectations dictated by some so called authority, at one time or another.
Whew...well, now I can certainly say if I'm excited about it, I will be all about it!
Reminds me of a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe from the 1700's, "until one is COMMITTED, there is hesitance. The chance to draw back,(which results) always (in) ineffectiveness concerning all arts of INITIATIVE and CREATIVITY. There is one elementary TRUTH, the ingnorance of which kills countless ideas and plans: That the moment one definitely COMMITS oneself then PROVIDENCE moves too. All sorts of things OCCUR to help that would NEVER otherwise have occured. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favor all manner of UNFORSEEN INCIDENTS and MEETINGS and MATERIAL ASSISTANCE which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can DO or DREAM YOU CAN! Begin it-Boldness has GENIUS, POWER and MAGIC in it. BEGIN IT NOW!"
Thanks. That was fantastic.
I guess something is not truly a goal if it doesn't inspire us to action. It's a pipedream!
yeah, sometimes they take a while, or we need to break them down into smaller bites to get to the 'ultimate' goal. There's a fantastic verse in the book of Ecclesiastes that says "Dreams come through much activity". Without action you can forget the goal.
Oh....and I LOVE the picture at the end.
Thanks a million. Wow this info has put me back on track. thanks for the "Wake up call".
Monica
Finally getting around to reading my e-mail (someday I will get to it). I am glad I did. Just what I needed for this very moment! Thank you.
Aloha Derek and all commentators!
Goals are interesting children. If fed well, nurtured, allow to sleep when tired, supported when timing or unknowns plays havoc with them, they grow up to provide amazing results. Vice-versa, imagine what a child might be light if we 'fed them some day, etc. '
Can't help to wonder how these traits apply to any path of beauty (music, art, etc.)
Excellent wisdom shared - Mahalo.
soul
This is great. But goals are also about timeing. Sometimes the right elements need to be in place before you say to yourself its time to attack the situation and make work for you. I've had many dreams or goals, some you can jump on right away and some you have to wait until the time is right. There is no bad goals just close or distant ones
Thank you so much, I've been hearing your message since the first time you appear, and it has been so powerful in my life to do and progress with my musical projects, thank you so much again
Camilo Velasquez
a friend from Colombia.
Hi, Derek,
Good sentiment, but if I believed that, I never would have achieved all my long term goals (several novels, orchestral piece, teaching career).
I think you could refine this article to say more of what you mean to say, which is, I think, the difference between a goal and a dream.
Or something like that.
Your friend,
Adam
Always opening the a new door !
Great post! I'm probably going to print it out and put it up somewhere as a reminder.
http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1542159
it's a song i have called "it's a gift"
hope you like.
joey
I like you idea but I don't think it's quite accurate. There are many goals that are never achieved not because they are of poor quality but rather they are approached poorly. Taking from your thoughts, a well-defined goal can help lead an individual to accomplishment much more easily than a poorly-defined goal (not to mention several other factors that other have stated before me).
Now I see why I'm spinning my wheels on at least some of my own goals. They need revision in their definition and approach. Thanks!!
hey Derek
I'm jumping into this discussion kind of late, precisely because I've been so busy bringing about a goal for the past couple of months, on the heels of which, life has accelerated! I'll explain that in a moment.
first, I want to differentiate between goals and dreams. for me, a goal is something concrete, and relatively short term. it is nearly always something I'm fairly confident I can achieve, even if some key elements (such as cash, or musicians) may temporarily be missing.
for me a dream is something that may seem out of reach, but I dare to hold it in my psyche, if only for its "what if?" value. it will continue to inspire me to keep moving in its general direction. throughout my life, I have repeatedly realized years afterward that something I had only dreamed about, later came to pass. and largely because I wasn't hyper-focused on it.
my latest album was nominated for Album of the Year in a local arts paper, following a fabulous review in the same paper. I then campaigned like crazy for the allotted six weeks until voting closed (and those weeks were a hellish, feverish time lol). my efforts garnered a good number of votes, somewhere in the hundreds perhaps, but imagine my amazement to calculate that I had to have received between 5,000 and 7,000 votes to take the award in my category. even more startling, is the fact that it's a French album, and it won Americana Album of the Year.
so I say in response to your post: yes, set realizable goals for yourself, but also dare to dream...
KT
I doing what you tell. and it is working way to go Derek. Thanks Bud
Are we not human beings rather than human doings?