Objectives: what is your purpose?
Are they something:
where “we are supposed to write” to succeed?
or to mark the list and go to the next?
or to keep us on track?
or to help stretch us to learn, grow and develop new skills and talents?
or to help others, or to improve the world?
either??
I think we all have goals, whether we write them down or not. And there are many reasons to set and achieve goals. No reason is necessarily right or wrong.
But sometimes I get so focused on achieving my goals that I forget to appreciate the journey: the work, the fun, the process, and especially the learnings along the way.
Has that ever happened to you?
Two of my recreation goals for this year were: learn to kayak and; to do some multi-day backpacking trips in the desert.
If you read my latest ezine, you know I’ve learned the basics of piloting a kayak; however, I still have a very close intimate relationship with the texture of water. Those kayak basics were also powerful lessons in relationships and life. If you have already forgotten them, I encourage you to reread that article here.
My son, Jamie, helped me achieve my other goal: backpacking through the wilderness for several days. And guess what? I gained more valuable life lessons that can help me, and hopefully you, savor achieving our goals in life a little more.
Here’s the deal.
After a three-and-a-half-hour drive, we left our vehicle at a staging area outside of the Wilmore Wilderness Area, northwest of Hinton, Alberta, on the border of Jasper National Park. This is one of our best unkept secrets in Alberta. It is a huge area of ​​mountainous terrain protected by our government, where motorized traffic and commercial/industrial development are not allowed.
With seventy-pound backpacks, we walked six hours into a deep valley where we made our base camp.
The next day, we went exploring, taking turns with our emergency survival kit, lunch, and water. In a country like this, it is good to be prepared, we did not know what we would find. Sometimes survival depends on preparation, ingenuity and common sense.
It was an extremely steep climb, through thick forest, slippery scree, and over huge boulders. We walked along a narrow rocky ridge, well above the tree line. In places, it was a narrow trail of Bighorn sheep, dropping off steeply on either side. We meander through wide alpine meadows, admiring the vibrant colors of wildflowers and thick grass. The flora and fauna must be difficult to survive in this harsh environment.
We park on the highest ridge to have lunch, sunbathe and savor the panoramic view of one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts.
With a beam of radiance on his face, Jamie turned slowly, admiring the sight, and proclaimed: “That was worth it!”
That was worth it. A jewel about life that I can wear now.
And you?
Hey, I get that life isn’t always easy. Circumstances are not always exactly how you want them to be, or how you think they “should” be. Situations may not seem right or fair at times. At times you may feel vulnerable or as if someone else is controlling you.
That said, my challenge to you, should you choose to accept it, is accept life as it is now and proclaim, “That was worth it!”
Here are some tips for the app (once you’ve finished reading the article). Just like our hiking experience, these tips will help you thrive and survive with preparation, ingenuity, and common sense (which isn’t all that common).
oh Sit up straight and upright, look slightly above the level of your head, smile, take a long, slow, cleansing breath, and say out loud: “That was worth it!”.
These physiological actions work anytime, anywhere to help you improve how you feel. It is quite difficult, perhaps impossible, to feel miserable if you have good posture, smile and take deep breaths.
oh Think about the work you do and the value you bring to society and say, “That was worth it!”
Regardless of what you do, you are contributing in some way. If you choose an appreciative attitude, you will be making a positive contribution. The value of your work is in your Contribution Plan, not in your Compensation Plan.
oh Look at the people around you in your workplace, the effort you’ve put into building those relationships, and the tremendous value they add to your life, and say, “That was worth it!”
Sure, work relationships can be stressful. There may be different perspectives, hidden agendas, and opposing outcomes. Choosing to grow and nurture these relationships can ensure that your workplace is a desirable place to be.
oh In your mind’s eye, imagine your close personal relationships (with your partner, children, family, friends), interacting with kindness, respect, and love, and announce, “That was worth it!”
These close relationships are critical to being healthy and productive in society. They determine your level of happiness and self-esteem. Choose to treat them accordingly, and they will be worth it!
You and I only get one shot at this experience we call life, this brief period of time between birth and death. I have decided that I am going to enjoy every minute as it is now. I will find the lessons in every trial and tribulation, I will achieve my intended goals because they are of great value to me and others, and I will find joy in every experience.
And several times a day, I will stand up tall and tall, smile, take a deep breath and proclaim, “That was worth it!”
But that’s me. What are you going to do now?
Copyright 2009