In the course of writing this blog, reorganizing my department at work, and plotting my course for 2010, I’ve come to understand the important differences between goals, process, and perks – and why knowing those differences is the foundation of purposeful action.
- Goals are the big, long-term, remarkable projects you’re working on. Remember, goals must be concrete and specific – otherwise they’re just pipe dreams. A well made set of goals acts like a compass, guiding your decisions and actions in daily life.
- Process consists of the steps you take in order to reach your goals. Some parts of process can be planned out: a daily routine, a weekly schedule, an event calendar, and so on. But the best parts of process are less predictable: getting your manuscript picked out of the slush pile, finding out your neighbor is the perfect business partner – that kind of thing.
- Perks are the side benefits of process. If process is a journey, then perks are the treasures you find on the side of the road – the rewards you receive for being mindful and doing good work. Perks emerge naturally in the course of pursuing a worthy goal, but you can’t pursue them directly. Self-esteem, happiness, authority, presence, respect – these are all perks that come out of the process of mindful, remarkable living.
A lot of time and effort gets wasted when we mix up goals, process, and perks. Sometimes we confuse part of the process with the goal, like a teacher who fixates on high grades (process) instead of making sure that her students are learning (goal).
Other times, we chase blindly after a perk, like a child who looks for self-esteem in the compliments of others instead of discovering it by working diligently towards his dreams.
In either case, we wind up flailing haphazardly, expending enormous resources, but making no progress towards the things that count.
***
I’ve recently had to reevaluate and redefine my life in terms of goals, processes, and perks. Blogging is a large part of my life, and I somewhere along the way I started thinking of blogging as a goal. That was a mistake, because I don’t want to be a blogger … I want to be a writer/entrepreneur/traveler/leader who blogs. Can you see the difference?
I love writing this blog, but it’s part of the process, not the goal in and of itself – at least not right now. When I started treating blogging as a goal, I stopped making room in my life for my real goals: writing a book, changing my procrastination habits, building a small, personal business – all the things that give me something to share on this blog. As a result, I lost my sense of purpose and direction; I felt that I was going nowhere. I became discouraged, frustrated, and no longer enjoyed what I was doing.
Mixing up goals and processes is one of the reasons people get discouraged and quit their dreams.
For those of you who have your own blogs, a brief word of advice: don’t make blogging your life. First, go out and live. Work towards your goals – in whatever way you choose – then come back home and share your journey with us. That’s how you make an impact.
***
If you feel as though you’re not getting any closer to your goals, or if you’re no longer sure where you’re heading, stop a moment to reevaluate. Are you really pursuing a goal? Or have you become distracted by a small part of the process, like the entrepreneur who networks obsessively but never launches his business? Or, are you actually chasing a perk – something that can’t be pinned down, and can only be found through the process of living and growing?
Find the answers to these questions, then move forward with purpose.
You’ve got great opportunities ahead of you. I wish you all the best.
10 Comments on “Goals vs. Process vs. Perks: How to Find Direction and Purpose”
says:
I love the idea of perks thrown in to the mix with goal and proses. I really do agree with you about blogging being part of the proses and not a goal. I started mine to help keep me focused on the changes I wanted to make in my self. I have deferentially seen some perks from the goals i have been working on, As you say those perks are things I have been chasing my entire life but it was not until I started working on being goal focused that I realized any successes with them.
says:
I can relate, totally. Always busy, doing what? My goals get lost in the process, until I finally stop, reevaluate, refocus, until… the next distraction. Thanks for the great reminder- yes, let's stop, ask ourselves where we're going, be sure we're taking the right path, and… move with a purpose.
says:
GREAT advice: don't make blogging your life. First, go out and live. Thanks Jeffrey, that was just what I needed to hear.
says:
That's the great challenge of daily living – learning to stop every once in a while and realign ourselves with the goals we set out to achieve.
says:
Appropriately enough, most of the leading probloggers seem to follow this very principle. They blog as a way to share the remarkable things they're doing in real life; that's what gives their blogs power and authenticity.
says:
Exactly! Isn't it a great feeling when you finally realize that the goals you never seem to reach are just perks in disguise – and that you'll grasp them simply by learning to pursue your true goals?
says:
Loved reading this, Jeffrey. Blogging for the sake of blogging, without some deeper purpose, seems empty to me. And I think affects the quality of the writing. During the past year I've had to pull myself back so many times from writing about something that's not really part of my larger goal. It's been a real learning curve. My mantra now: If it's not related to meaning in some way, I don't write about it. (And I sure better be having my own experience of meaning too).
says:
Great post and very important distinction. You are so right that it all comes down to clarity of intent and you have to always remember ultimately where you are trying to go and what you are trying to accomplish. There are so many things that can distract you or take you off course and so it is important that you stay laser focused on your #1 goal. The distinctions between goals, processes and benefits was very helpful. Thanks for the insights.
says:
This a good post because it points out that “goals” themselves are inadequate. 100x more important are the actions you take.
However, there is one process you can use that replaces the inadequate goal…and that is writing promises to yourself instead of setting goals.
We all feel much more compelled to fulfill a promise and will take the actions necessary, whereas we are not as invested in completing a goal.