Tamekia and I (Patrick) both feel strongly about the importance of goals. As Tamekia often says, โif you donโt have goals, youโre just existing,โ and that really resonates with me. Personally, Iโm very goal-oriented. Every day, I wake up with the drive to get something done. I donโt really enjoy lazy days, but I know I need them from time to timeโso when I take a break, even that has to be planned. If resting is the goal, then fine, Iโll rest. But if not, Iโm all about making progress.
Take my running goal, for example. I aim to run at least 100 miles each month, and it feels like a big letdown if I miss that mark. I push myself to stay on track because itโs about more than just hitting a number. For me, sticking to my goals means keeping my word to myself. If I let excuses creep in for one goal, whatโs stopping them from creeping in for everything else? I canโt stand that idea. I honor my commitments, whether theyโre to others or to myself.
Now, just because I hold myself to this standard doesnโt mean I expect everyone else to. People are motivated by different things, and thatโs fine. Some are driven by accomplishment, while others chase money, status, or something entirely different. The important thing is that youโre working towards something. Like Tamekia says, if you donโt have goals, youโre just existing, floating through life without passion. And honestly, thatโs not the path to happiness.
But goals arenโt the whole picture. We believe that to feel truly fulfilled, itโs also important to love yourself, love your family, and love God. Itโs about balance.
When it comes to setting goals, my advice is to break them down. For bigger goals, I like to think in terms of “good, better, best” levels. And for daily tasks, I find it really helpful to keep a list and just check things off. It keeps everything manageable and gives you a sense of progress, even on the small stuff.