“Setting goals is easy. I’ve done it many times.”
After we placed an ad on Craigslist announcing that that we were looking for new agents who want to specialize in commercial loans, I was surprised by the enthusiastic response. Within a month, 5 new agents joined our company. This presented an opportunity for me to create a training program, to help them get better results. I pulled all the manuals I had from years ago when I myself had a coach. Most of the sales training courses start with the suggestion to get results—to set goals. This makes perfect sense. If you do not know where to go, how do you plan to get there?
To paraphrase Mark Twain, setting goals is easy—I’ve done it many times. (He was referring to smoking.) It works for some, (like quitting smoking), however it seems that after the majority of us set lofty goals, there are always obstacles, or excuses why, despite our best intentions, the results are not there. Our weight doesn’t go down and our savings doesn’t go up. Surprisingly, I found the answer or a possible solution to the issue in an obituary.
There was a beautiful write-up about Sid Caesar, an iconic comedian from the 1950’s. There he was quoted,
“Everybody wants to have a goal: I gotta get to that goal, I gotta get to that goal.” He said. “Then you get to that goal, and then you gotta get to another goal. But in between goals is a thing called life that has to be lived and enjoyed—and if you don’t, you’re a fool.”(NY TIMES 2/12/14).
To a certain extent, it was an “a-ha” moment for me. Instead of setting production goals, why not focus on the goals of how to enjoy life? Our work is an important part of our lives; it serves two purposes. For those who enjoy what they do (that includes me), earning money is an added bonus. Therefore, the amount (goal) depends very much on our needs, which can be increased or decreased.
But of course there are the basics—like living expenses. Plus there are extras—paying off debts, private schools for our children, our yearly subscription to the opera or symphony, dinners in fine restaurants, short trips on the weekends, and longer vacations. But what many overlook is the rule of paying myself first— before other bills. This is the basis for emergencies and retirement. After adding up all of the costs, we arrive at the amount that we need to enjoy our lives. This is The Goal.
But all the money in the world will not help one enjoy life. Do not set goals for that reason; just enjoy it. To enjoy my life, my goal in 2014 is to help 200 clients to reach their goals.
Please help me do it.
P.S.
I wrote this story while in The Sea Ranch, where we come to recharge our “batteries”. Flocks of birds were flying in front of our window. They do not set goals and just go with the flow—being attuned with nature. It reminded me of something Jesus said:
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
Hope that my images of the birds will serve as a reminder.
DO NOT KEEP ME AS A SECRET.
SMILE AND PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND
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