Just a few weeks ago I wrote about Leo Babatua’s advice on giving up goals to live more in the moment and more freely. That was the beginning… over the last two weeks, I’ve come to agree with Leo more and more as I have come to understand that: “Goals as a system are set up for failure.”
“Here’s why: you are extremely limited in your actions.”
This thought, this philosophy, this way of thinking literally dropped from the sky and landed on my head repeatedly this week.
Here’s the situation: I am absolutely determined and focused on finishing and self-publishing my first young-adult novel by the end of the year. So much so that even though I have been feeling incredibly inspired to work on other projects (e-books, starting my life coaching biz, writing other novels, etc.) I haven’t let myself embrace those new projects. I’ve literally been putting those thoughts, feelings, ideas and emotions ON HOLD. And you know what’s been happening? I’ve been losing steam for everything.
Essentially I’ve been holding myself back. Wait, let me re-phrase that :::: My GOALS have been holding me back.
By forcing myself to ignore other forms of creativity and inspiration I’ve been limiting and preventing myself from forging new paths, from exploring new passions, and from attaining new successes.
And that’s not good because some of that energy, enthusiasm, freshness and ideas that I had last week or even a few days ago, is disappearing because I’m not giving it the room or energy to grow and thrive. The amazing ideas I’ve had are slowly dying as I refuse to let them grow. And they’re not waiting around for my attention – they don’t care that I am promising to give them time someday in the future. They want attention, space, love and support now. Or poof, they’re gone.
So… I’ve slowly begun giving up goals.
As you throw your arms up in the air I hear you saying, “WHAT?! One day Erin’s all about having and keeping goals and the next she’s throwing them out the window?! What’s up with that?”
Well honestly, I’m tired of stifling my creativity, my spark, my energy. I don’t see the good in forcing myself down a certain path because that’s where I think I should be. Yes, I still want to finish projects. Yes, I still want to create and complete things that are important to me (like my novel) BUT I’m done with letting goals limit my life.
Because lately, that’s what they’re doing — they are keeping me from doing other things that I am more excited and passionate about. And you know what?! I want to ride the wild donkey, as Leonie would say. I want to be inspired to write an ebook and actually sit down and write it! I want to feel drawn towards a path and actually take it! So that’s what I’m doing and honeslty I feel really good about it.
Here’s what MY Goal-Less Life is going to look like ::
I am going to continue working on the things I love
I am going to let my creativity, passion and energy lead the way
I am going to listen to my inner guidance and follow where it leads
I am going to do things because I enjoy it – not because it’s in my “Monthly Sub-Goals”
I am going to focus on living here and now, and enjoy everyday to the fullest
I am going to be madly successful because I am going to feel engaged, empowered & inspired all the time.
I am going to explore new areas, learn new things, find new passions and let my heart and the universe guide me.
As Leo says, when you live a life without goals “…you simply do. You find something you’re passionate about, and do it.”
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