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The Opinion that Counts

Guest post by: Jim Stovall

Article Overview: We always live up to the expectations that we have for our lives. Sometimes, these expectations are those we have of ourselves, but too often these are expectations that we allow other people to place upon us. If we're not careful, we can find ourselves winning someone else's battle while we lose our own war. For years, societal pressure and the media have encouraged us to keep up with the Joneses. Unless your last name is Jones, there is no practical or logical reason you should set your standards based on theirs.

The Opinion that Counts

We always live up to the expectations that we have for our lives. Sometimes, these expectations are those we have of ourselves, but too often these are expectations that we allow other people to place upon us. If we're not careful, we can find ourselves winning someone else's battle while we lose our own war.

For years, societal pressure and the media have encouraged us to keep up with the Joneses. Unless your last name is Jones, there is no practical or logical reason you should set your standards based on theirs.

After many of my speaking engagements, I have the opportunity to meet with people one-on-one about their career and life goals. Too often, these seem to be pre-packaged, cookie-cutter goals that we have all been sold. Sometimes, it's necessary to get away from all of the external input and pressure to simply reflect on "what is really important to me in my life."

Assume that money, time, education, and other factors do not enter into your life goals. We all know that eventually these factors do count, but it is important that we not get the "How are we going to do it?" mixed up in the "What are we going to do?" decision.

We spend so much of our time, effort, and energy trying to insure that others will think the best of us. I don't think we would worry near as much about what other people thought of us if we realized how seldom they actually do think of us.

The way to build a great life is simply to string together a series of great days. A great day can be defined as one in which, as you put your head on the pillow, you can reflect back over your day's activities and be satisfied. Ideally, you are not only satisfied with how well you did in pursuing your goal, but you are deeply satisfied that you are pursuing the right goal.

Make a commitment to pursue the things that really matter for you and your family. Let the rest of the world try to keep up with the Joneses, whoever they may be.

Today's the day!

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Article Tags: goal setting, Jim Stovall, motivation



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