BEST PRACTICE
Don ’ t Overlook the Milestones ; they shape your progress
by Mindy Gibbins-Klein MBA FPSA FRSA
H
ow many times have you heard the expression “ Life is a journey , not a destination ”? I happen to think life involves both journeys and destinations , and that we do best when we have a healthy balance between goals and progress .
But how do we know if we are making progress ? The answer is in staying aware during the journey and celebrating the many milestones along the way – both those related to the goal and those milestones that just show up .
Setting and working towards goals is absolutely essential if we want to make progress in our business and life .
It can be hugely motivating to have a target , such as an end of quarter or end of year financial or sales goal , or a wedding outfit that is going to be tight unless you shift a bit of extra weight .
As human beings , we need to have things to aim for , otherwise we are like boats without a rudder , drifting aimlessly around with no purpose or direction . For entrepreneurs , this need to be moving in a certain direction is even stronger .
My clients writing books are not only encouraged but practically forced to keep the end goals in mind – not just the book but all of the outcomes related to having that book in print , such as extra business , speaking and media opportunities , raising your profile and leaving a legacy .
I ’ ve learned from my clients that the strength of the goal and the vision can literally make you work on a project even on days when you don ’ t feel like it .
However , too much focus on goal setting can leave a busy entrepreneur feeling exhausted and unfulfilled .
There is always so much more to achieve , so many more items still on the To Do list than checked off the list .
There ’ s a lot to be said for enjoying the journey , smelling the roses , allowing things to unfold ( sorry , was a that a bit woowoo ?)
Years ago , I began learning about the Buddhist way of life and philosophy . Focusing on mindfulness long before it was trendy , I learned to let go of the gogogo and simply be present .
It ’ s fantastic to be able to enjoy the moment without nagging worries about the past or the future . And it ’ s more relevant for business people and leaders than ever before ; as my client Philip CoxHynd outlines in his book Mindfulness and the Art of Change by Choice .
The key , I believe , is not obsessing with one
or the other . This means not going after your goals with such a vengeance that you miss the journey completely .
And not just floating around , never arriving anywhere or achieving anything .
The truth is , society dictates that we need to spend time doing both . You can get even more from the journey when you celebrate the achievement of the steps along the way , as well as the ultimate goal .
Then there are those milestones that will come up , no matter what you are doing or whether you are paying any attention to them or not .
Milestones like significant birthdays ( or every birthday ), holidays , the birth of children or grandchildren , work or business anniversaries . In my latest book The Thoughtful Leader , I suggest that instead of treating these key dates or events as millstones hanging around your neck , you celebrate them for the milestones they are .
My good friend Claire Boyles even has a hashtag for this : # CelebrateALLSuccesses . It makes life more fun and more interesting , but it does a lot more than that .
Acknowledging that you have achieved something , even living another year , tells your subconscious that you value yourself and your life .
Proving something to yourself is major ; you would not believe the number of clients who tell me they are building their business and writing their book to prove something to themselves .
Whenever you achieve something for the first time , you allow a thought that sounds something like ‘ Wow , I didn ’ t know if I could do it , but I ’ ve done it !’
If you share the achievement with others , in person or online , you let them know that you are someone who is making things happen . You invite them to share in the positive feelings of success and fulfilment , and you may even inspire them to crack on with one of their goals . You can even prove something to a naysayer from your past or your present . Celebrating every step along the journey means your subconscious and your contacts get this message many times , instead of just once .
If you are out to prove something to others , this can be the most motivating reason of all !
So , if you find you have been drifting and not purposeful enough , crank up the goal setting .
If you think you have been too focused on the goal and not enjoying the journey , introduce some mindfulness .
And whatever you do , remember to celebrate when you achieve the little things , the steps toward the goal , or any events in life and business .
That will enhance the quality of your life and the lives of others .
About Mindy GibbinsKLein
Mindy GibbinsKlein MBA FPSA FRSA is a multiawardwinning international speaker , author and thought leadership strategist . Her flagship book 24 Carat BOLD outlines the four attributes found in true thought leaders . Her latest book The Thoughtful Leader takes thought leadership to a new level .
Founder and CEO of REAL Thought Leaders , The Book Midwife ® and Panoma Press , Mindy has authored and coauthored eight books . She is also a regular contributor to the business press on thought leadership and raising your profile .
Mindy ’ s clients have successfully written and published more than 500 books and hundreds of bold and opinionated articles , positioning themselves as real thought leaders in their field .
For more information on Mindy Gibbins Klein , see www . mindygk . com
64 www . businessfirstonline . co . uk
BEST PRACTICE
Don’t Overlook the Milestones;
they shape your progress
by Mindy Gibbins-Klein MBA FPSA FRSA
ow many times have you heard the
expression “Life is a journey, not a
destination”? I happen to think life
involves both journeys and destinations, and
that we do best when we have a healthy
balance between goals and progress.
But how do we know if we are making
progress? The answer is in staying aware
during the journey and celebrating the many
milestones along the way – both those related
to the goal and those milestones that just
show up.
Setting and working towards goals is
absolutely essential if we want to make
progress in our business and life.
It can be hugely motivating to have a target,
such as an end of quarter or end of year
financial or sales goal, or a wedding outfit
that is going to be tight unless you shift a bit
of extra weight.
As human beings, we need to have things to
aim for, otherwise we are like boats without a
rudder, drifting aimlessly around with no
purpose or direction. For entrepreneurs, this
need to be moving in a certain direction is
even stronger.
My clients writing books are not only
encouraged but practically forced to keep the
end goals in mind – not just the book but all
of the outcomes related to having that book in
print, such as extra business, speaking and
media opportunities, raising your profile and
leaving a legacy.
I’ve learned from my clients that the
strength of the goal and the vision can
literally make you work on a project even on
days when you don’t feel like it.
However, too much focus on goal setting
can leave a busy entrepreneur feeling
exhausted and unfulfilled.
There is always so much more to achieve,
so many more items still on the To Do list
than checked off the list.
There’s a lot to be said for enjoying the
journey, smelling the roses, allowing things to
unfold (sorry, was a that a bit woowoo?)
Years ago, I began learning about the
Buddhist way of life and philosophy.
Focusing on mindfulness long before it was
trendy, I learned to let go of the gogogo and
simply be present.
It’s fantastic to be able to enjoy the moment
without nagging worries about the past or the
future. And it’s more relevant for business
people and leaders than ever before; as my
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