Consider Giving Up Goals

Living without goals definitely takes courage.

When I first heard the concept of living without goals over 10 years ago, I actually got upset.

And to top it off, I heard it from one of my highly respected mentors, Thomas Leonard...so I was even a little bit more upset.

I thought, "that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard - what would I ever get done if I didn't have a plan and goals?!?" and went right back to setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

But the idea stuck with me, mainly because it felt so radical.

And after a decade of flirting with the idea, I have spent the last couple of years deeply exploring what it's like to live without external goals and follow my inner guidance instead - and still get things done.

And here's what I'm learning: I find that I often get much MORE done when I don't set goals than when I do. And I'm spending time doing what I love, which is a huge reward in itself.

According to Stephen Shapiro, author of Goal-Free Living, there are 8 secrets to living life free from the constant pressure of goals:

• Use a compass, not a map - have a sense of direction, and then let yourself wander and try new things on the way to fulfilling your aspirations
• Trust that you are never lost - every seemingly wrong turn is an opportunity to learn and experience new things
• Remember that opportunity knocks often, but sometimes softly - while blindly pursuing our goals, we often miss unexpected and wonderful possibilities
• Want what you have - measure your life by your own yardstick and appreciate who you are, what you do, and what you have . . . now
• Seek out adventure - treat your life like the one-time-only journey it is and revel in new and different experiences
• Become a people magnet - constantly seek, build, and nurture relationships with new people so that you always have the support and camaraderie of others
• Embrace your limits - transform your inadequacies and boundaries into unique qualities you can use to your advantage
• Remain detached - focus on the present, act with a commitment to the future, and avoid worrying about how things will turn out

So if the idea of putting together another one-year, five-year, or ten-year plan fills you with frustration, consider the idea of letting go of goals as a way of life.

And play with the idea of following your guidance all day long, each and every day.

You may be surprised at the wonderful opportunities that unfold.

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