Question of the Week: How does being self aware affect your ability to set realistic goals?
Last week's discussion revolved around setting goals and the importance of doing so. Unfortunately, setting the goals is the easy part - achieving them is where we typically run into problems. Ideally, we want to put ourselves into Win-Win situations where our goals are things we really want, but are also realistic and attainable based on what we know about ourselves. Perhaps looking at some goals as "out of reach" is a pessimistic viewpoint, but it is important to consider what might be required of us in order to achieve some goals...especially ones which may seem very unlikely.
The following exchange from Alice in Wonderland, demonstrates the perspective often expressed by those who have beaten odds to achieve goals that may have, at one time, seemed "impossible."
Alice: [looking through the Doorknob's keyhole] There he is! I simply must get through.
Doorknob: Sorry. You're much too big. Simply impassable.
Alice: You mean impossible.
Doorknob: No, impassable. Nothing's impossible.
Still, as a realist or pessimist or just a guy who is aware of his own limitations, (even those that are self-imposed,) the notion that "any goal can be achieved with the right combination of perseverance & determination seems more "fairy tale" than real life, and I think there are some other factors that need to be considered. In your post for this week, let me know what you think (tell me if you think I'm wrong). Use this post and the questions below to help guide your response.
Why is it important to set yourself up for success when goal setting?
Are there any goals that are simply unattainable?
Do you think we sometimes give up on goals because we realize the sacrifices we will need to make in order to achieve them?
Does where we live affect the types of goals we set? Does it affect our ability to achieve them?
How important is perseverance to achieving goals? How important is luck?
Alice: [looking through the Doorknob's keyhole] There he is! I simply must get through.
Doorknob: Sorry. You're much too big. Simply impassable.
Alice: You mean impossible.
Doorknob: No, impassable. Nothing's impossible.
Still, as a realist or pessimist or just a guy who is aware of his own limitations, (even those that are self-imposed,) the notion that "any goal can be achieved with the right combination of perseverance & determination seems more "fairy tale" than real life, and I think there are some other factors that need to be considered. In your post for this week, let me know what you think (tell me if you think I'm wrong). Use this post and the questions below to help guide your response.
Why is it important to set yourself up for success when goal setting?
Are there any goals that are simply unattainable?
Do you think we sometimes give up on goals because we realize the sacrifices we will need to make in order to achieve them?
Does where we live affect the types of goals we set? Does it affect our ability to achieve them?
How important is perseverance to achieving goals? How important is luck?