Goals

During his keynote address at the University of the Arts, Neil Gaiman said, “I didn't have a career. I just did the next thing on the list.”

Not having goals is almost unimaginable to most people. Peer/societal pressure aside, without goals, what would they work towards, personal or otherwise? As Ben Thompson asked about Microsoft:

“One of the greatest corporate mission statements of all time: A computer on every desk and in every home, running Microsoft software.

...

And that, right there, is what is wrong with Microsoft. It’s not they don’t have talent – they do. It’s not that they don’t have great technology – they do. In fact, it’s not even that they lack a CEO. Rather, it’s that they achieved their goal. There IS a computer on every desk and in very home, and nearly all of them run Microsoft software. So now what?”

Goals are the answer to the “now what?” question. Or so it seems.

But do goals really make sense for most of us, asks Scott Adams:

“For most of us, we have no idea where we'll be in five years, what opportunities will arise, or what we'll want or need by then.”

Robert Pirsig said something deeper in Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:

“To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountains which sustain life, not the top.”

Learn to enjoy the journey.

Of course, that’s easier said than done…