"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success, but on significance." - Oprah Winfrey
What if true fulfillment could be found not in what we achieve, but in the significance of what we do?
Often, when we think about setting goals for ourselves, we think about what we could have or do that would bring us great success. We dream of a promotion, being on TV, winning the lottery, going on exotic trips, and of the proverbial, shiny red corvette. All these things represent a form of success that we imagine being available for ourselves.
It seems reasonable that winning the lottery or getting a new car would increase our standard of living. After all, who couldn't use more money or a better car? However once we've made it to one level of success, we rarely take a moment to appreciate it before moving on to the next. The material object we desire has been captured, and the chase is over.
It is instances like this where we have failed to make a true difference in our own lives. By focusing on objects of success, rather than objects of significance, we have created a continuous cycle of disappointment.
How is focusing on success different from focusing on significance?
We all have a slightly different idea of what success is, based on our own opinions of what it takes to have, be, and do 'more' or 'better.' In this sense, the things we feel successful about are measurable things in our life. Getting the promotion means we have succeeded in acquiring a measurable result. Winning the lottery is a measurable result, as is making it onto Jeopardy(tm), visiting Nepal, or owning a corvette.
We also have our own opinions of what is significant in our lives. Our families, friends, spiritual commitments, and health are just a few examples. Sometimes we sacrifice experiences and actions that would make a profound impact in what we would consider significant in our lives, because we are blinded by the more appealing, "successful" solution that will make us look really good.
If your dream is for your children to grow up to be healthy, have solid values, and be productive citizens, which would make a more significant impact in their lives? You getting a high-paying job where you travel a lot and aren't home often, but have plenty of money to pay the bills, treat them to movies, and pay for their college tuition? Or would your dream more significantly be fulfilled by taking on a lower-paying job where you are home more, available to spend time with them creating memories, and allowing them to take on the responsibility of paying their way through school?
Neither of these options is "right" or "wrong", but they will each have a very different results. Each year millions of parents make decisions just like this, and many opt to be financially successful, because they equate having money to being a good parent. They were brought up, perhaps not having a lot of money, and recognize opportunities that they can make available to their kids using money as a tool.
For another example, let's say that since you started your marketing firm, your dream has been to help home-based businesses reach their market expansion dreams. Like all marketing and media firms, you are bombarded with opportunities to win awards and prestigious recognition for the work you do. The issue is that in order to win the awards and gain much desired exposure, you must alter the way you do business.
Will you continue to run your business in a way that significantly impacts the lives and futures of your clients? Or will you choose to chase the images of success that lie in awards and recognition? Is it possible to do both and still fulfill upon your mission?
If your dreams are a classroom, significance is the genuine learning experience, and success is a standardized test. While you are experiencing true learning and growth, you might learn what you need to ace the test, but when you teach only for the test, you miss out on a lot of wonderful experiences that aren't related to the final exam.
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** *** ***
Kimberly D. Wells specializes in goal setting and achievement. Find out more about the BE SMART Goal Achievement System at http://www.besmartgoals.com, or visit Kimberly's Blog to receive one-on-one goal setting advice: http://besmartgoals.blogspot.com
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** *** ***
You may or may not have a set of written... Read More
Bringing life to your ideas is what helps them to... Read More
Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people... Read More
I love the internet. I mean, anything at all you... Read More
Jules Asner, the current cohost of E! News Daily, along... Read More
Setting goalsSetting personal and business goals are a must if... Read More
Ever notice when you start a new hobby or fall... Read More
A great way of attuning yourself daily to what your... Read More
Weve all read about personal goal setting. Weve all tried... Read More
Everyone has something in their life that they would like... Read More
What is the right thing I need to do to... Read More
Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of... Read More
Goals. Most people have a love-hate relationship with goals. They... Read More
1. Duke (Edward Kennedy) Ellington (1899-1974) American Composer Bandleader and... Read More
Being successful in life is difficult unless you ensure you... Read More
Have you seen those ads that promise to make thousands... Read More
We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are... Read More
The three keys to living without limits have always been... Read More
Focus is the single most important factor that will determine... Read More
How many times do you say, "Gee, I wish I... Read More
Every person who succeeded at a high level, in any... Read More
A few years back, I went to London, England. I... Read More
MAKING GOALS: Effective and motivational goals engage employees in work... Read More
I guess I found some hot buttons last week eh?... Read More
According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary "apathy is defined as the following:... Read More
At this point in time you have an opportunity to... Read More
"One aught never to turn one's back on a threatened... Read More
Do you know the single best way to "supercharge" any... Read More
1) Write them down! Statistics show people who write down... Read More
Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments was about living... Read More
I have a confession to make. Once upon a time,... Read More
Creating your path to success depends on walking on a... Read More
Do you have a goal for the future that you... Read More
The New Year is quickly creeping up on us. Do... Read More
One of the biggest reasons that many people have trouble... Read More
SO WHAT DOES GOAL SETTING OFFER? It closes the manager-employee... Read More
Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and... Read More
We live in a busy society. We may have demanding... Read More
WHY DO WE NEED GOALS?Goals give you direction in all... Read More
Have you ever put all your eggs in one basket?... Read More
Every private client I work with begins at the same... Read More
1. WORK WITH THE END IN MIND- OR FOCUS ON... Read More
Your business can't go according to plan if you have... Read More
"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More
Tragedy doesn't make an appointment. It attacks! A terrifying surprise... Read More
It is important to set goals in life. To accomplish... Read More
Today I want to discuss the missing link in goal... Read More
We are moving rapidly through 2005, and you'll find previously... Read More
What does it take to plan like a champion?Well lets... Read More
What do you want to achieve?Before you actually set up,... Read More
GOALS SHOULD BE QUANTIFIABLE: It should be possible to analyze... Read More
I am writing you from the quaint sea town of... Read More
Welcome to Weekly Wisdoms. Last week I found a new... Read More
Writing goals describes the act of inscribing on a surface... Read More
Over the years I have experienced some amazing results with... Read More
All too often, we may be envisioning a level of... Read More
The title of this article sounds simplistic but it is... Read More
Sport is an excellent medium in which to explore the... Read More
Should goals take a long time?Yes and No.Yes, goals should... Read More
The start of a New Year is a great time... Read More
Do you know the single best way to "supercharge" any... Read More
Creating your path to success depends on walking on a... Read More
What would your life be like if you kept doing... Read More
Many have goals, but few reach them all. Businesses like... Read More
You may or may not have a set of written... Read More
Most people measure us by our accomplishments -- what we've... Read More
Goal Setting |