i have a long list of things i want to do everyday, someday. right from the teachers diary or job applications or to-do lists, having things on agenda is so important. so, i thought let me be more 'organised'. and I just penned three( can't get too ambitious....instinctive working mother of one) of the things i most want to do everyday and wrote them at the back of my planner. they were: a) i will not let nishka cry today, b) i will read something today, anything, c) i will eat a fruit.
i could accomplish just one...nish didn't cry n i was totally stressed because i didn't react to anything she did wrong! Well, do i belong to the group who don't set their goals right? just plain disorganised? or belong to an absolute unaccomplished lot who can't get simplest of things they want?
could be either or none. I've seriously considered blaming it on a lacking gene or plain bad luck, had i not found myself sitting in this workshop on left-right brain orientation. don't get me wrong, they didn't say a thing about 'goal-less' behaviour or the 'type' that typify it. just that some people just don't work that way. linear. and it was a great relief to know i wasn't abnormal.
i have always found goals limiting at best and useless at worst. why should i have any at all?
How does one know that on reaching point A, one would be happy /satisfied, and by the time i reach point A, i would still want/value A the way i did before? Aren't goals based on the assuption that people don't grow or change? Also, on the way to your 'goal' don't you ignore many more that could be yours? or give up 'distractions' that could be far more enjoyable or meaningful? And if you change the 'goal' as and when you like, won't having one in the first place useless?
Why do programmes, books, grown-ups stress so much on wanting 'something', for only when you 'want something' can you achieve it. i disagree. i want. And more often than not, i can't say what.
But does that take away from me or others like me ( i hope there are more) the learning or satisfaction that comes from achievement or an experience? Not really. but i shouldn't look out for peer approval for obviously apparently you didn't want much anyway!
'Goal-directed' behaviour is understandable but highly overrated.
At the end of the workshop, what stumped me though, was the feedback form. it said, "what are your goals in life?"
WOW. i didn't have any for the workshop or for the day, in fact.
And somehow, i don't feel too bad either. while others reach their 'aims', i'll reach what they didn't even 'aim ' for! Pun so intended!!
