Rise to Wisdom: Chasing shadows

Today on Rise to Wisdom we will talk about chasing shadows, otherwise known as pursing meaningless goals.

A farmer had a dog which used to sit by the roadside and always waited for vehicles to come across that road. As soon as any one came he would run down the road behind the vehicle, barking at it and trying to overtake it. One day the farmer’s neighbor came to him and asked “Do you think your dog is ever going to catch a car?” The farmer replied, “That is not what bothers me. What bothers me is what he would do if he ever caught one.”

Moral of the story: Many people in life behave like that dog who is pursuing meaningless goals.

Meaningful Goals Create a Meaningful Life
The most accomplished people in the world are experts at setting and reaching goals. Learn from them. All great people are great because they have made meaningful goals and took action to reach those goals. All joyful great people are among the happiest people in the world because they enjoy all that they are doing to achieve their meaningful goals. Two people might be busy for the same amount of time. But the person who knows what he wants to accomplish will accomplish more within that time. Clarity of goals gives you added incentive and motivation.

When you know your priorities in life, you focus your attention on those priorities. This leads to more focused words and actions. When you know your target, you can improve your aim. When you know where you want to go, you can reach your destination. And when you enjoy the journey, you will have added energy to do what it takes to get there. The ability to set a goal and follow through is one of the most essential skills that a person can have. Having a strong desire to reach a goal is a main factor in reaching it.
If you knew that you could reach whatever goals you wrote down, what goals would you add to your list?

People tend to accomplish more when they write down their goals. This is especially important when they have a number of meaningful goals. If you knew that you could reach whatever goals you wrote down, what goals would you add to your list?

If you haven’t written a list of goals yet, it’s a good idea to stop reading and write down a goal. Choose a goal that would make you feel wonderful if you reached it. But don’t just write down goals just for the sake of having a list of goals. You must also have a strong desire to reach those goals, to avoid being distracted from achieving them. For a start, you can even write down a small goal that is easy to accomplish. Make a goal to call someone who would appreciate hearing from you, and then call them up. Make a goal to write to someone who would appreciate receiving a letter, and then write that letter. Another possible goal is to go to a store and buy something that you need.

Thinking of these small actions as goals and then actually doing them adds to your ongoing list of goals that you have reached! It’s important to be clear about the goal of your goals. Why do you want the goals that you want? In what other ways can you reach the goals of your goals?
When you have an intense will and desire to reach a goal, you will be more likely to reach it. You will find the right people to help you. You will gain the knowledge and skills that you need. You will find a teacher, mentor, or coach to help you.

Believe in your ability to make and reach goals. How do you gain this belief? Through life experience. Remember a time that you managed to accomplish something you had thought was impossible. Even if you needed to exert a lot of effort, that experience is a lifetime resource. It is a clear proof that you can do something if you are determined to do it. After setting a goal, plan how to reach that goal. Some people make goals and sincerely wish to achieve those goals, but because they didn’t make a plan, they didn’t take the steps necessary to reach their goals.

Be aware of possible obstacles that could prevent you from reaching your goals. Plan what to do to get past the obstacles. If you tried a plan that didn’t work, then make another plan.

With perseverance, you will end up accomplishing and achieving many worthwhile things throughout your life. If that doesn’t work out, make another plan until you are successful. Be open to the feedback you receive from every plan that doesn’t work. This experience will give you more wisdom and knowledge. With perseverance, you will end up accomplishing and achieving many worthwhile things throughout your life.

Which of your goals will add to the happiness and joy in your life and the lives of others? Which goals will add to your sense of meaning and fulfillment? I realize that there is always so much more to do. But I live in the present moment. I have long-term goals, but I experience life moment by moment. My added awareness of the Creator and His love for me has given me a new lease on life.

“How to set meaningful goals”
*Define your goals
*Judge your capability by the tasks you have taken and your success and failure rates.
*Check your progress with a courage of conviction and make it sure that you can continue forward.
*Choose the goal that seems to be the most viable one, which might take travails, but which can be accomplished by you
*Have self-belief and you’ll achieve what you set for.
*Stay optimistic about your possibilities, because this is a big world full of opportunities.
*Be practical when setting goals