Sep. 24, 2005 - A Wish and a Goal

What a great summer so far with lots of new knowledge, a reawakening, and reframing of past knowledge.  Joe O'Donnell, MD, Advising Dean at Dartmouth Medical School, always meets with the first year students to get to know them and advise them regarding their career goals.  His first question is simply, What are your goals and dreams for the future, etc.?  Often hes asked, What's the difference between goals and dreams.  In that many of my ASPIRE students have asked the same question, I found his answer to be the best Ive heard to date:  The difference between a goal and a dream is, a goal has a timeline.  If you recall in the ASPIRE book Chapter 1 on page 8, I describe the difference between a Wish and a Goal as follows:

A Wish is a dream or desire that one cant, or wont, commit time effort and energy to its achievement, or has limited possibility of realization.

Example:

I wish I would win the lottery.  Cant or wont if you dont buy a ticket, and limited possibilities of winning because of the odds. 

A Goal is a personal want, need, desire, or dream with a defined possibility of achievement in which one will plan and commit time, effort, and energy to realize its outcome.

Its far simpler to understand that to turn a wish (aka a dream) into a goal, one only has to plan for its achievement, create a timeline for strategies and tasks, and, like magic, wish comes true.

Daily, I watch smart people struggle, unhappy with their position, possessions, and purpose.  One client recently complained how they just couldnt seem to get anywhere; their business sucked, their relationships were unfulfilled, they dont have any fun, and they felt depressed.  I asked, What plans have you made to change this condition?  Oh, you mean that strategic planning stuff you taught me in ASPIRE?  Im sure its good Rossi, but I dont have time for it.  My life is crazy and its all I can do to keep my head above water, let alone spend time on that.  I asked them to elaborate on just what they were doing to keep their head up and they replied, Working for a living!  Doing all the stuff I have to do in order to have a few closings to pay what bills I can.  Hauling kids, taking care of the yard, cleaning house, shopping for groceries, and sitting floor and opens.  I have no time for myself and you think I should sit down and write some five senseless statements!  Wow, not like I havent heard that before.  I think Ive even said it.  The truth is, without a plan to get somewhere, youll get exactly where youre going; No Where!

Plans dont have to be elaborate, they just have to be.  It wont work to wish that it was done, you cant try to get it done, you must just do it.

Almost every week now I hear from an ASPIRE Expeditor (past or present) who has had an epistemological experience or two regarding their personal plan achievements.  Rob McCain of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professionals in Iowa City, IA called recently and said, Rossi, I was just driving home from the dealership in my wifes new car and it hit me.  The sounds, feelings, and sights were almost identical to the five sense statement I had written in my ASPIRE personal strategic plan.  I had to call you and tell you thanks.  You helped make the magic come true in so many ways.  Hearing from Rob was great and I was pleased that Rob gave me credit; however, he did it, I was just along for the ride.

May your summer dreams have timelines and may your successes be planned.  And remember, You Deserve It!