The Problem with Goals - CareerEnlightenment.com

Ideals give us direction, and measurable goals   provide us with the road to get there. The problem is that most people confuse the two, causing the gap of inadequacy. An ideal is just a mental construct. Sure, it serves a purpose, keeps us motivated and growing. But most of the time an Ideal is unattainable.How to Remove the GapWhether your goal is to get a new job, go on vacation, or save for a new car, watch out for this tendency we have to idealize the goal. To want the job that is impossible with our experience level, the vacation that costs more than our means, or the car that would ruin our credit.We have to keep bringing ourselves back down to the world of what is actually achievable:   the job we qualify for, the vacation that is just a drive away, and the car that takes us from point A to B. Otherwise, we may feel totally unsatisfied, even after having accomplished great things in our lives.By taking these achievable goals to heart, rather than the ideal, we begin to live w ith more contentment. We see that we can achieve, and we feel we can provide for ourselves.A technique for accomplishing this sense of purposeful contentment requires the development of the habit of self-reward.Every day, reward yourself for accomplishing just one thing. Think back to everything you did today, pick out one thing you are proud of, and allow yourself to rejoice in it. Maybe you had a good conversation with a potential hiring manager. Perhaps you found a job posting that seems a perfect match. You might have finished your LinkedIn profile, finally.Lets raise our glasses and toast our daily accomplishment. Leave your ideals to the world of the sacred, and reclaim your achievable goals.