The Tension Between Goals and Gratitude
I appreciate Jonathon Milligan’s thoughts on the following issue of tension. There is a tension that exists between goals and gratitude. Maybe you have never thought of it this way. I love setting goals. I think everyone ought to have goals in life that they are striving for.
Jonathon states that what we need to realize is that setting goals often “exposes the gap” between where I am and where I want to be. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think if you are not careful you can cross the line and live in ungrateful land.
There is a point that we can become so goal focused that we are never grateful for what we currently have.
Rather we want to admit it or not, we mistakenly think that once we accomplish “x” we will have finally arrived. The best example is an illustration that Anthony Robbins told in a seminar. He asked the audience (using my own words), “At what point do you become wealthy and financially free?” On the front row was a millionaire worth about 3 million dollars. Anthony put the mic in front of the millionaire an asked the question specifically to him. His response to the question: “When I get to 10 million dollars.”
I believe that the missing component to all of our goal setting is to start first by:
▪ Listing what we are truly thankful for
▪ Writing down what we have already accomplished
▪ Showing appreciation to those around us who support us
▪ Giving to those who are less fortunate
▪ Remembering that apart from God we can do nothing
Gratitude will not show up on its own. Gratitude is a mindset and attitude that you have to empower. Make it a part of your daily routine. I’m not perfect at it, but before I start my day I try to take a moment, close my eyes, and think of what I am grateful for.
Chad Pfeifer 