How Many Goals Are Too Many?
Last week, we discussed goals as multidimensional. We also looked at them as part of the bigger picture of our lives and wondered what are the "buckets", or different areas of our lives that are intertwined with our career goals. We pointed to the why, our motivation to pursue these goals, as an anchor (particularly during hard times).
Our discussion was top of mind in the past few days, as I attended the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference and was discussing goals and career development with undergraduate students in Political Science interested in data and research careers. It has also been in my mind because I am hitting two milestones this week: my first month as a full-time entrepreneur building a business, and my birthday (if you know me, you know I love, LOVE birthdays*).
There is one question that has stayed with me: How Many Goals Are Too Many? In my discussion with Pi Sigma Alpha members, I highlighted how easy it is to get overwhelmed in job searching. We have a main goal: to land a job. But we also put so much pressure on ourselves to figure out how to get to that goal that we add more on our plates as intermediate goals. We convince ourselves that this is how we get from point A to B. In my own nascent experience as a business owner, there are so many big and small goals that come up: from organizing financial books to making sure this newsletter goes out, and importantly, to ensure my clients are served and prioritized.
There is no right way of going about it, right answer, or magic number. But through this reflection, I found myself asking a question that stopped me on my tracks and helped me focus. It might help you too:
What do I need right now?
The answer will hopefully tell you the one step you need to focus on at this very moment. Let that be enough. You can keep asking yourself this question again, and again, to let the path unfold. Reply to this email to let me know your thoughts and how it works for you!
Our next Community Coffee Hour this week starts where we left off: When you think about the goal(s) you have top of mind today, how do you want to feel?
See you next Tuesday for our Community Coffee Hour!
*I'd love to ask you for this one, simple birthday gift: Share about this newsletter with (at least) one person who can benefit from this newsletter (and upcoming Community Coffee Hours). They can sign up here.
