Goals- Revisiting the Why
Quotes
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost anyhow.”― Friedrich Nietzsche
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it” ― Buddha
“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters,” ― Amit Ray,
“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Quotes courtesy of Goodreads.com
Abstract
Revisiting the Why
Again I will revisit the why of goals. I am in a period and stage of life where I am witnessing my father‘s health breaking down right before my eyes. He is been ravaged by disease and old age. He needs assistance to do the most trivial of tasks which include using the washroom, eating and moving around.
It is a very pitiful sight but I recognise it for what it is. Our bodies will break down eventually and we will leave this earth as we found it. Let’s all be mindful of this simple fact we will break down in the long run the law of entropy and the compounding effect is always working.
Even though my father is ailing he has left a legacy and impacted so many people. He has lived a life well lived and achieved his key goals. The essence of life is what impact we leave behind. Who did we touch? Did what we accomplished have sustainable traits?
Our Physical Presence on earth is not infinite
We behave as if time is always on our side. Remember the clock is always winding down. From the moment you and I were born we are all destined to die. Time is ticking down and we should adjust our behaviour to reflect this fact.
When we make goals ensure you factor this in. We cannot beat the beast of time, what we can do is make the best use of the time we have on this planet. The only legacy we can leave behind are works that live beyond us.
These include charities, foundations, innovations, scientific works, businesses, artistic works, and literary pieces. These are some of the works that have a continuum beyond our physical presence here on earth.
Revisit the why of your goals constantly? Any goal should contribute to the ‘Why’. You will face numerous obstacles but it’s the ‘Why’ that ensures you can go through any pain you will face as you strive to achieve your goals.
Do not put off the essential tasks for tomorrow. Get the mandatory activities done first. Eat that frog first thing each morning and day.
What seeds are you planting?
Nature is always our best teacher. You have heard these quotes before: ‘Plant the seed when you are still young so you can enjoy the shade in your twilight years. ‘ The Persians have a different version of this saying ‘ let your young wolf take care of your old wolf’ – courtesy of Patrick John Lee Dumas podcast.
The Chinese also had a saying ‘when was the best time to plant a tree- 20 years ago, the next best time is now’
What seeds are you planting today? This is the critical question we should always ask ourselves when we wake up to face each day. The seeds are the tasks and actions you are taking to leave a legacy.
Are the seeds you are planting sustainable in the long run? Will the fruits outlast your presence on this earth and serve others after you leave the planet. Which is more important building a last business or building a career? Will your children inherit your career?
Are you raising your children to be moral, responsible and self grounded citizens who are able to take the mantle of leadership when the time comes calling? Are you raising self centered, rudderless, dependent children who will be a strain on yourself and others in their adulthood?
Are you protecting the environment, planting trees, limiting pollution, protecting endangered species, recycling waste, using renewable energy sources to leave a more pristine environment for your kids and their kids to come.
Are you selfish thinking of short term profits and destroying the environment as you accomplish your short term objectives?
Are you constantly learning new skills to cope with the ever changing environment? Are you embracing new technology and embedding rock age principles to guide and enable you harness opportunities as they come along?
Are you sitting complacent happy with what you have attained and not reinvesting in yourself and skills?
Are you striving to eat right? Are you exercising right? Are you resting right? Do you aim to prevent life style diseases? Are you complacent and stationary with little or no exercise? Are you looking at the long term picture?
You are been selfish if you do not take care of your body in an optimal way. You are denying your own children more time with you on this planet.
We need to dig deep into our goals and targets. Are they sustainable in the long run? Ask yourself each and every day what am I trying to achieve? Am I living a legacy or building an illusion that will be torn down. Build your dreams on solid foundations of rock and not shifting sand.
Ask yourself why constantly? This keeps you on the narrow and true direction you should take. You will not be swayed by the new dangling shiny objects but align yourself to a true compass and North that will sustain you in the long term. Leave a true legacy that others will enjoy after you leave this planet.
Read
Start with Why – Simon Sinek
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For – Rick Warren
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