We’re supposed to talk about goals

So what else is new… Another somewhat prying question from the WP DWP folks: How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

Well, the jokes on them because this is an easy one for me. Why? Because I gave up on goals a long time ago so my answer is never.

Ha! Never!

Never say never says who?
Hey, that’s what I try to do.
But I sometimes do fail,
and then I say, “Oh, hail”,
Cuz regardless things always come through.

(Did I ever tell you I don’t eat beef stew?
You’re probably shocked but it’s true.
You might think me a cretin,
but I don’t like eatin’ meat and
beef stew is something I just won’t chew.)

I don’t understand goals. Unless you’re saving for a house or a new car then you might set a goal to save X dollars a month, and if you’re planning a vacation you pretty much have to have some goals (of course that depends on the vacation) but other than that, what’s the point? Ok, I have to reel that back in a little bit because there is a point to setting a goal and goalsetting obviously helps keep one focused on a task, but when the goal becomes our identity – when we become attached to the goal – I don’t think that’s a good thing.

And unfortunately, I think becoming attached to a goal is common. Or if not attached directly to the actual goal, then to the outcome. And basing our worth on that outcome might be even more common. (And more dangerous) 😦

Our worth, our value, our identity is not based on a goal. We’re all pretty much good just the way we are right in this minute. Yes, you too.

Finally, the words “goal setting” are an anagram for “goaling test” and who needs the pressure of testing themselves all the time? Not me! And if that’s not enough, “goal setting” is also an anagram for “got genitals” and if you talk about your genitals too much people might think you’re weird.

If you’ve read this far and really believe that goals and goal setting are a necessary part of life then I can offer one to you if you want? I’m stealing and paraphrasing this remark from Kurt Vonnegut (who is up in Heaven now). I saw it in a video a long time ago where he was talking about how to construct a story, and I think it might have also been in one of his books(?), but he brought up his Uncle Alex and he said what his Uncle Alex found objectionable about so many human beings was that they didn’t notice when life was good. He went on to say how they, the family, might all be sitting around outside, talking, telling stories and having a good time and Uncle Alex would interrupt the conversation and stop them all and say: “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” So the goal is to stop from time to time and notice when things are nice.