Embracing the Journey Beyond Goals
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnosis
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
Embracing the Journey Beyond Goals
Ellie West
Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnosis
I listen to many podcasts, but one of my favorites is The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast. In a recent podcast, the guest, James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits, talks about how our habits are a symptom of our priorities. And John Maxwell shared how our goals and our personal growth are different. Frequently, we put those two in the same category; in thinking about them, I agree they are different, but both are necessary.
Throughout my life, I have set many goals that were never achieved, as sometimes life happens, and I was unable to reach my goal. For example, I set a goal to run a half marathon in New York. I trained hard every day. While on a layover in Anchorage, I found a gym, as it was during the winter, so I ran on a treadmill. I was just about finished with my run when I felt something pop. Feeling I needed to complete my run, I ran through the injury and later found that I had torn my groin muscle. I returned to the hotel in tears and thought, how do I work the next day's flight to Honolulu? Fortunately for me, one of the other flight attendants was completing her training in acupuncture and had her needles. Once we arrived at our Honolulu layover, she could relieve the pain with acupuncture. However, it was a significant setback, and I could not compete in the half marathon.
Attempting to reach your goal, you may face adversity that pushes you toward your personal growth journey. I have had to accept and learn that my goals were not necessarily God’s plan for my life. God’s plan was more about me becoming than what I was doing.
The more I tuned in - goals versus personal growth, the more I realized that the two are often intertwined. Pursuing goals and personal growth can sometimes lead us to question whether the destination or the journey is more valuable. Personal growth highlights how the journey of self-improvement can often hold more transformative power than achieving your goals.
Goals are the compasses that guide us through life's complexities. They give us direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Whether achieving a professional milestone, starting a family, or cultivating a new skill, goals provide the stepping stones toward realizing our aspirations. They push us out of our comfort zones, urging us to explore new territories and experience life beyond our limitations.
Personal growth, on the other hand, is a continuous and holistic process. It involves the expansion of our emotional, intellectual, and spiritual capacities. Unlike goals, personal growth isn't confined to achieving specific outcomes. Instead, it's about embracing change, learning from failures, changing our mindset, and adapting to life's unexpected twists. Personal growth enables us to become better versions of ourselves, regardless of our external goals.
While goals and personal growth might seem like contrasting paths, they are naturally connected. Goals can drive personal growth, pushing us to develop new skills and mindsets. Conversely, personal growth can influence our goals, guiding us toward authenticity.
As the saying goes, ”Life is a journey, not a destination.” Pursuing goals might offer temporary satisfaction, but the true essence of life lies in the lifelong process of personal growth. Embracing the journey allows us to find joy in every step, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a sense of wonder.
Goals, especially ambitious ones, often come with setbacks and challenges. It's during these moments that personal growth truly shines. The resilience we build while navigating through obstacles, the lessons we learn from failures, and the determination to keep moving forward contribute to our personal growth.
Personal growth teaches us to be open to change and embrace life's unpredictable nature. Goals might provide stability, but personal development allows us to thrive in the midst of uncertainty. It enables us to cultivate a positive outlook, adapt to change, and find opportunities despite setbacks.
While goals provide direction and motivation, personal growth infuses our journey with depth, resilience, and fulfillment. Strive for meaningful goals, but remember that the journey of personal growth is equally—if not more—rewarding. As you tread the path of life, let personal growth be your guiding light, illuminating the way to a truly enriched existence.
“If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.” ~ Les Brown
To connect with Ellie, FB @coachelliewest Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, TLT, Hypnosis
