Flexibility vs. Perseverance: Finding the Golden Mean in Achieving Goals

It's important not only to strive for your goal but also to notice what's happening here and now. Such openness will not only protect you from disappointment but also help you live each day to the fullest.

Hello, dear ones!

As always, this post is not a guide to action, but an invitation to reflection. Today we'll talk about the importance of not forgetting to look around and see more than one goal while pursuing your objectives. This, as I like to say, is not a "bat" that will knock you off course. It's anti-tunnel vision, giving you a 360-degree view — to notice not only dangers but also new opportunities.

Please remember that the approach I'm talking about can both help and harm — it all depends on the context. So think, experiment, but always consider precautions. Sometimes it's useful to discuss your vision with close ones whom you trust and who sincerely wish you well.

Goal Focus: Pros and Cons

Focusing on a goal undoubtedly helps to achieve it. This is important for completing a report, successfully closing a project, or preparing for an exam. But in the long term, narrow concentration can cause some problems:

• Procrastination. Paradoxically, focusing on a big and important goal sometimes leads to us starting to postpone it. The task seems so massive that it's frightening, and the desire to do everything perfectly hinders any movement.
• Anxiety. As the deadline approaches, the level of anxiety grows. You start to worry about the result, possible mistakes, and constant tension reduces productivity.
• Missed opportunities. When you look at only one goal, you risk not noticing other paths that could lead you to new and even more interesting prospects.

For example, imagine a person who wants to open their own restaurant and is focused only on that, ignoring other ideas such as partnering with more experienced restaurateurs or working in a large company to gain experience.

Deferred Life

Focus on a goal sometimes turns into a promise to oneself: "As soon as I achieve this, then I'll be happy, then I'll start living." We postpone our own happiness, tying it to achieving a specific result. And so, upon reaching the goal, we often realize that happiness hasn't come. Like the horizon, it moves away, and we continue to chase a new point on the map, never finding a moment for joy.

Real-life Example

I had a client who very much wanted to get married. She had been dating a guy for three years and was sure he was about to propose to her. At some point, they broke up, and she met another — a bright and interesting person. Their story was like from a movie: dinners, yachts, hot air balloons. Meanwhile, her ex-boyfriend, seeing this, proposed to her, and she agreed. The result? The marriage turned out to be short-lived and unhappy, and a bitter aftertaste remained from missed opportunities.

Consistency in Search

Consistency in search — that's what really bears fruit. Not every opportunity will be perfect. But each is another step towards something better. Steve Jobs didn't create the iPhone right away — he went through a long journey full of ups and downs, rejections and new beginnings.

Balance of Goals and Living in the Present

Balance is important. Focus on your tasks, achieve goals, but don't forget to live in the present day. Look around, don't miss opportunities that the present moment can bring. Life is happening right now, and every moment is valuable in itself. This not only makes us happy but also gives energy to achieve goals.

Goals are necessary, but they shouldn't turn into an illusory "happiness in the future". Happiness is the ability to enjoy every step, every achievement, every new discovery. Instead of chasing a specific goal, look at life more broadly. This will help not only to achieve what you desire but also to maintain openness to new opportunities and joys that you encounter along the way.

Conclusion

Happiness and success are not points on a map, but a process. Enjoy the journey, catch every moment, and don't miss what surrounds you in the present. The goal is important, but no less important is everything that happens on the way to it.

As always, I invite you to share your opinion in the comments
With love 😽 🤗 😘
K