Shifting Gears

One of the most important things about setting goals is not in achieving the goal itself, but giving the goal its proper attention in the scheme of things. Your goal must be considered in terms of all the other goals and priorities that come up on a daily basis. We all set goals and then struggle, sometimes more than others, with how to fit in the time for the goal, and how to prioritize it when we haven’t made space for it in the past.

For me, I tend to be very ambitious, and for the most part, I’d say, capable. If I set a goal and really want it, I find a way.

But what about when the goal is no longer relevant? It’s so easy to hold myself accountable to goals in the past that may no longer be important. It’s a shift in gears to allow myself to really evaluate whether an old goal is still important. And to let myself let go of or delay goals from the past. Its not failure to not complete a goal – not if it was the decision to shift gears was with intention.

And this week, the goals I am talking about letting go of, or delaying, are even harder to do so with because I just made them a few weeks ago. But they are mini-goals, steps I decided to take to achieve a larger goal. And my larger goal is the most important. So, if that means taking some of the steps and re-prioritizing them, that is what I must do.

And it is so much better to recognize this, and move my goals around, than to feel guilty because I’ve added something new on my plate, without moving something else off, than failing at one or another.

My big goal this year is to create new sources of income for myself that excite me.

I thought this may be in writing or art… that’s the direction I set out on just a few weeks ago. But after much thought, and hoping for a clear plan, I’ve come up with a direction that is not exactly writing or art – but it is a combination of skills I have, areas I am passionate about, and opportunities that appear possible at this point in time. I have decided to explore this new idea for at least a couple of months – and that it’s ok to hold off on writing or art as a career. I will continue writing or art in free time, because I enjoy it, and I also think that no matter what I do, having these creative outlets helps me be more creative in other areas. I will also give myself a mini-deadline to explore this new idea, so that I can determine in two months whether I shift back to my art/writing path or continue down this new path for the time being.

So, on to shift gears, rewrite my goals for the next couple of months, and be ok with it.