A Warning about Goals By Jim Stovall

We have all heard the admonition, “Be careful what you ask for.” The dilemma in setting a goal is that you may not achieve it, so you fail to get what you want; or you may achieve it, and you still can fail to get what you want.

I was just visiting with a fellow entrepreneur and business owner. He is in the consulting and personal development field and has a true passion for helping people and businesses. My friend got into this business because he liked the process of working directly with people.

Several years ago, he set a goal to grow and increase his business. His goal related to how many employees he had, and he measured his progress by the size of his staff and the number of consultants and presenters he employed.

In our most recent discussion, there was good news and bad news. The good news was that he had reached his goal and had the number of employees he had set out to get. The bad news is that now he spends all of his time managing employees that are good people but do not equal the power and passion he brought to his speaking and consulting.

He set a goal because he loved his work, and as his business grew, he -- by necessity -- shifted from someone who pursued his passion on a daily basis to someone who manages people and projects.

There is certainly nothing wrong with people who can manage others. It is a valuable and important skill; however, if you want to work directly with audiences and people you mentor as a consultant, being a manager may be very frustrating.

One of my favorite books that I have read multiple times is entitled Seven Summits by Dick Bass. Dick Bass and his friend Frank Wells were top level corporate CEOs. After reaching middle age, they both determined they would climb the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Even though neither of them had climbing experience, Dick Bass actually reached his goal and, in doing so, became the oldest person at the time to climb Mt. Everest.

At one point in their yearlong odyssey, they were climbing the tallest peak in Antarctica. This is a tremendous challenge due to the hostile climate and remote region of the earth. At one point in the middle of the climb up the mountain, they received a radio communication from their base camp to stop climbing. When Dick Bass inquired why they should stop climbing toward the summit, one of their guides told them that the area was so isolated they were waiting on satellite confirmation that they were climbing the right mountain.

Before you start climbing a mountain, make sure it’s the right one. And before you set a goal, make sure it is something you really want.

As you go through your day today, make sure your goals fit your passion, and then make sure your activities fit your goal.

Today’s the day!
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Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082, or by e-mail at JimStovall@aol.com. Visit www.JimStovall.com

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