Know What You Want

"The experimenter who does not know what he is looking for will not understand what he finds."

- Claude Bernard

 (1813-1878) French Physiologist

All journeys begin first with a destination.  You must first know where you want to go, what you want or the result you seek before you can even start in your quest.  As Yogi Barra always said, "If you don't know where you are going you won't know when you get there."

                The quest for success is a very broad endeavor.  To say you want to succeed at something does not encourage action or vision.  You first need to be able to define what success means.  Example: Let's say you want to succeed in business.  What kind of business?  Are you working for yourself or for someone else?  What do you want to do in business?  These are all vital questions that you must answer in order to get the results you seek.  Business is too broad to leave undefined.

                A good example of this can be seen when people are seeking employment.  I have coached many who have been frustrated when trying to get a job.  I ask them, "What kind of a job are you looking for?"  They often say "Anything!"  I am quick to point out that "Anything" is not a job description.  No one ever gets paid to do anything.

                The same is true when you are seeking to achieve a goal.  Here are some commonly used weak and undefined goals:

"I want to be self-employed"

                Unless you are already independently wealthy and can pay yourself to do nothing, this will never work.  You need to know what you want to do.  Successful people who own their own companies first worked at what they wanted to do and them allowed it to become a business.  They love to cook and the restaurant comes; they love law and then they open their own law office; they love retail and serving the public so they open their own shop selling the things they love most.  "Self-employment" is not a business, it is a dream.

"I want to earn a lot of money"

                Money is never a goal.  Money is the most fluid thing in your life.  Anyone can acquire a lot of money and anyone can lose a lot of money.  Money in itself does not bring happiness, security, comfort or anything else.  Remember that it is not money we want but the things we think money can buy.  Seek those things and the money will come.

"I want to be happy"

                Happiness is not something you wish for or try to achieve like a job.  First, nothing and no one will make you happy if you are not happy with yourself.  You are the source to your happiness and nothing else.  What many people are saying is that they want, companionship; or security; or a sense of belonging.  These are all good things but again, they are first discovered inside a person not from the outside.

                The way to success begins with an understanding of what it is we want in life.  Spend the time defining that and you will save years of wondering in the wilderness looking for a cloud of smoke.  Your dream is your own, no one can define it for you.  It is there in your heart if you will only take the time to search for it.  A journey well worth taking.

To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey