The Independence Day Test: Do Your Goals Measure Up?
Today, in the United States, we’re celebrating Independence Day. Americans take great pride in their independence, which shows up in core tenets like freedom of speech, freedom of choice, and others.
And if you really think about it…at their core, most goals are about increasing our independence, too.
A goal to run a marathon, workout 5 days a week, or finally be able to do an unassisted pullup is about physical independence.
A goal to get a new job or promotion, learn a marketable skill, start a company is about professional independence.
A goal to get out of debt, get a raise in our next role, or save a certain amount for retirement is about financial independence.
But sometimes our goals don’t actually bring independence.
An old boss of mine used to talk about some jobs having “golden handcuffs”...where the perks were so good folks wouldn’t want to leave. Some goals are like that, too…the feeling of pride or accomplishment we get when we work towards or achieve the goal are so rewarding that sometimes we forget that the goal, or the work to achieve the goal, may not be worth it.
Periodically, it’s useful to stop and consider the goals we’re working towards and whether they truly contribute to the independence we’re looking for. A few things to consider:
Are the risks too high or are you sacrificing too much?
You’ve learned that your knees aren’t holding up well to that marathon training, or the path to the new job that lets you call the shots came with more travel or longer hours. Sometimes the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze. If that’s the case, reevaluate and set a different goal, or chart a different path.
Have you learned something that would lead you to set a different goal, if you were to do it over again?
Perhaps you’re staying in a job you no longer love so you can hit your retirement goals, but you’ve learned that there’s a part-time gig that’s really interesting that would give you time to travel while working a bit longer. Maybe you signed up for a boxing gym but just discovered a passion for paddle boarding. If you’ve learned about a better way to achieve the results you’re looking for, set a new goal.
Is the goal actually about what you really want?
Did you set the goal to learn that new skill because you thought it would make you more marketable, but you’ve realized that you don’t like the work at all? Or are interviewing for the job with the higher pay, but come to realize what you really want is remote flexibility? As you get farther down the path towards achieving your goal, you may learn you’re headed in a direction you just don’t want to be going. That’s a great learning, and an even better time to pivot towards the future you really want.
So this Independence Day, which falls mid-way through the year, take a moment to consider if your goals, and your path to achieve them, are helping you increase your independence.
What kind of independence do you really want?
July 4, 2024
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
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