A question came up yesterday for #AskJackieAnything about why should an entrepreneur, business owner, nonprofit leader, or anyone, really, have personal goals when they have business goals already. They totally understand the business goals. It moves you forward and quite possibly brings more cash into the coffers, but why have personal goals, too. Isn’t that just too overwhelming?
Let Me Share Part of My Story
When I worked a corporate job and later when I was running an art school I didn’t make any goals for myself that weren’t work related. I worked long hours and totally committed myself to my job. Which was great except I knew that something was missing. It was like I was half a person. At the time – the 90’s and early 2000’s personal goals or even a personal life weren’t encouraged. Work. That is all that was important.
Don’t get me wrong. Work is totally important and if you are lucky enough to have work that feels like play you are ahead of the curve. Either way though work isn’t enough. Work is just one aspect of who you are as a human. It takes care of your financial well being and professional success, but it isn’t the whole shebang.
I found myself burned out. I resented my work. I was a shell of a person. Sad. Tired. Nothing to look forward to. Depressing, right?
I’m an entrepreneur and I have goals that are just for me because I matter!
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Personal Goals Help My Professional Goals
I get that there are only so many hours in the day and a lot of those are filled with working. That is life and I don’t begrudge it anymore because I plan time to work on my personal life. I plan exercise, travel, time making art, and whatever else I want to make my whole life more full. That time, achieving my personal goals, is well spent because I’m a happier more whole person.
Everyone has 30 minutes a day to do something. If you gave up TV what time would you have? Yesterday I did 15 minutes of silent meditation in the car waiting for my dog to get back from doggie day care (don’t judge, it saves me from going insane with his puppy antics). I can find pockets of time for myself throughout the day and plan for more time just like I plan meetings, events and other business ideas.
Plus, the time I spend achieving my personal goals influences my work by creating a happier person and hopefully creating new connections in life and in my brain. When I feel like a winner I can bring that attitude to everything I do.
So, run that 5K, commit to learning to take better photographs, take up contra dancing, learn an instrument, study meditation, take yoga – whatever it is make it a goal and make it happen. We are more than our work and by living rich, full lives we can bring that to everything we do.
Have something you want to try? Join the free #30DayChallenge Facebook group. Just email me and I’ll send you an invite.
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