Decision Making: Keep Your Eyes on The Goal

Making Your Way Towards The Mountain

Mountain Peak: Pixabay

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
― John Muir, The Mountains of California

So last year I attended a workshop held by a visiting artist. One of the things mentioned that assisted her in her goal of becoming a fulltime artist resonated with me.

1. Make a picture in your head of a mountain peak which represents your ultimate goal.
2. Every decision you need to make in life from then forward ask yourself “Is this decision or choice taking me closer or further away from my goal?” Make your choice based on what will bring you closer to your goal (or at least not further away).
3. Sometimes you may be faced with choices in which one may add to your gaining experience in an area which is closest to your goal or encompasses doing things to maintain relationships essential for you to protect and keep, while still pursuing a goal.
4. It is essential to maintain close relationships as reaching a goal alone is lonely with no one to celebrate.
5. If each step or decision you make in your life takes you one step closer to your goal eventually the mountain will no longer appear as if in the distance, but you will find yourself actively in the middle of accomplishing your goal.
6. New goals can replace goals already accomplished once you reach the peak.
7. Sometimes you get to the top of the mountain, and you find another peak you wish to climb related to the same area, or maybe you choose to go in a different direction.

In a Nutshell: Whatever your goal, the way to be able to handle life while you have a goal that currently is not possible to accomplish straight away is to:

Maintain the target in your mind and ask yourself this question: “Is this going to take me closer or further away from my goal?”

“You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you.” -John Muir