Do you remember the last time you were lost? No, I mean truly lost – that sense of heart-wrenching desperation that comes from a deep sense of foreboding about your predicament. You start to panic; start sweating; and finally the lizard brain takes over. As someone who loves the gritty wilderness of Dartmoor, I have had a few edgy moments like this.
And my point: people are equally lost in their daily living. Not to the degree that they go around in a perpetual state of panic but certainly an aimless state rooted in a lack of purpose and direction.
I realise this is a gross exaggeration but if you were to ask the majority of people two simple questions: (1) Where do see yourself in 10 years time; and (2) What are your written goals for the next 12 months, I can guarantee that the % of people who could answer yes to only one of these questions would between 1-2%. That is not to say that people don’t have some sort of overall plan but it is likely to be vague and liable to change for all the wrong reasons.
It is absolutely critical that whether you are setting out on a (new) journey or planning the next phase of your life that you write down where you want to get to and how you will get there. We all know that in order for goals to work they have to be SMART and there is a good reason for that. Without some specifity you will simply not properly visualise the end result and the sacrifices that you will need to make along the way.
Goals should not only be written down but should be condensed in such a way that you can refer to them at a moment’s notice. A good tip is to write them down on some 5×3 cards and carry them around with you. You should review them each week to give yourself a reality check. You need to connect with them on an emotional level.
Don’t get blinkered though and if your circumstances change don’t be afraid to change your goals.
So next time you feel lost, make sure you write something down to help you focus on where you are going and what you want to achieve.