Ready, Aim, Fire, then Aim again

You can’t fear commitment in your goals

One of the workshops I deliver is called “Careers Don’t Happen By Accident.” The session walks participants through the process of identifying likes and abilities in preparation of identifying career or lifetime goals. We conclude with building action plans on how to achieve the ability/skill needed accomplish those goals. I share my career path and the decisions I’ve made to help participants in setting up those action plans.

An interesting thing happens in many of these sessions; people worry about making the wrong decisions. I see the same thing in college students who are seeking a job. The hesitation sounds like this: “I’d really like a job doing structural analysis, but I’m flexible. I can do other types of engineering work. I just don’t want to be tied down to one thing forever.” All this is normal and part of being human, the problem begins when you fail to commit to any plan.

Some act like they are signing their name in blood when setting goals. They fear that once you set a target that it can’t change or that maybe they will change and they’ll want something different. I’ve been in this situation many times. I can assure you that it hurts yourself more by not making a commitment to a goal, rather than changing your mind in pursuit of it. Even if you never change your mind and just fall short of the goal, you’ll still learn so much through the endeavor.

When you choose to not commit you miss opportunities. You make decisions that are independent of each other and find yourself walking in a circle. This also results in losing trust of those around you. They begin to see you as an unpredictable person and they may not offer you opportunities, projects, or job offers since they don’t know where you are going. The other downside is that when we are stagnant we tend to get caught in a rut or hole. I’ve been there it’s not easy to get out and your performance suffers.

If you want make commitments to a goal, but still find yourself fearful, here are a couple of suggestions I’ve seen work with others. First, start with small goals you feel you can accomplish. Identify what would be a stretch for that same goal. You end up with is a range that defines success. Be sure when creating a goal you identify your motivation for each. Think about what the goal will feel like, the rewards or satisfaction. This will help give you inspiration if you have to put in extra work in achieving them.

Next, make sure you surround yourself with the right people. Those people should have similar aspirations as you and be prepared to hold you accountable. I find this key with financial and fitness goals, but it applies to them all. If you have a goal to save up money and you find yourself eating out all the time, then you’re not lining yourself up right. For each of my goals I try to align at least one sponsor or mentor. I’m not saying drop your friends, but you lose a lot of momentum when you are constantly fighting to survive friends bringing you in a different direction. Remember not everyone has to align with all your goals. Sometimes just sharing your goals with friends or co-workers could change the impact they have on you.

Finally, revaluate your goal as time goes along and see if it feels right. Your gut feeling is right 9 out of 10 times, learn to trust it. Also, pulse your goals against the environment around you. People, companies and markets all change. As things change or if things don’t feel right, just do small adjustments to the course you’re taking. Be creative in carving your own road. Don't fall victim to the ready, aim, aim syndrome.