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.

My initial failure is in some ways a success, because I gained invaluable knowledge that will better help me tweak my website and promotions, or build more solid foundations for future sites and projects. Failure does not have to be the end of the road ? it can instead be an essential lesson that guides your hand through continued attempts at goal achievement.

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.

---

The Art of Selfishness

Mature selfishness is the cornerstone of effectively living with passion... Read More

The Great Challenge of Life

Here's the great challenge of life - You can have... Read More

Caring in My Sisters Way: A Lesson On Judgement

Last summer, I had an acute case of bronchitis. I... Read More

Honesty

Those who pride themselves on their honesty should also concern... Read More

The Spectacular You

I recently received a letter addressed to Spectacular Rachelle Lee.... Read More

When Failure is a Gift

I wanted, for many many years, to be a mystery... Read More

Adversity to Victory

The following is a true story about a young friend... Read More

Keep on Keeping on!

Whenever we are working on our dreams we are going... Read More

Those Who Sleep Get Sliced

Chang lived in Flushing, Queens. Every afternoon he rode the... Read More

Five Reasons To Journal

Keeping a journal during the coaching process is one of... Read More

How To Deal With Shyness

Although shyness can be overcome, there is a fair chance... Read More

The Seasons Of Life, Part 3 of 5

This week is part three of our five part series... Read More

Directions For Life

Give people more than they expect and do it... Read More

Who Is Dr Robert Anthony and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?

So who is Dr Robert Anthony?He is the best-selling author... Read More

Dont Ever Give Up

There is a reason I never gave up. A reason... Read More

All Is Going Well?

The true test in life does not occur when all... Read More

Life Inspiration: 12 Tips for Successful Living

1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to... Read More

A Time To Awake

What has become of your fondest dreams?If you were guaranteed... Read More

A Prison Planet

I decreed my 'twin' into my life in early 1990.... Read More

Time to Change the World!

Here's something you can do each day that will REALLY... Read More

Garbage In Its Place

There is nothing worse than seeing garbage blowing down the... Read More

Imprisoned In Liberty?

Robert was so strong that I once saw him pick... Read More

A Rush Home to Rapture

Riding a rush, being juiced, flying high-this is the feeling... Read More

The Two Choices We Face

Each of us has two distinct choices to make about... Read More

Product Testing

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24,... Read More

Beyond the River: Kabbalahs Guidance for Our Times

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and... Read More

Who is the Pilot?

It was a mild summer day in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina... Read More

Charity ? Give To Receive!

We all know the truism that "charity begins at home."... Read More

Lock In Your Legacy

You, my friend, are going to die.What? What kind of... Read More

No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part I

The Thorns of Opportunity...What are you trying so hard to... Read More

5 Notions That Americans Should Put Out To Pasture

Wisdom and knowledge come from the same family but are... Read More

A Pre-existing Condition

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2,... Read More

Experiences in My Life Prompted Me to Never Give Up

Many people think that their life is a disaster that... Read More