Goal versus the journey

Through the growing up years, we were told to have goals and work towards them. I have managed to achieve 4 out of the 5 goals set during the last semester of my MBA. Over the years thereafter, I read philosophers and happiness psychologists advocating not to have goals, but enjoy the process, the journey. If you have set goals, will you be happy once you have achieved them? There is a sense of satisfaction of having achieved 80% of the goals that I had set for myself. But can I say I am happy?

I realized that I am living so much in the present. Consciously, I have let go of the past, not just the bad memories and forgiving those who I “thought”, or “felt” had “hurt” me, but also the past glories. Forgetting the negatives of the past has obvious benefits. But forgetting or minimizing the “aha-ness” of the past glories was equally important. There are 2 reasons

- One would keep thinking – “Wow, I did this” and get into a mode of self-glory and complacency. This does not help in moving ahead in life.

- At this stage in life, while nearing the golden year, I am not out to impress anybody with the certificates from the past. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody.

The only reason I would reflect on the past achievements is to feel blessed that I had the opportunities to experience them.

Let’s enjoy the journey, the goals will come through.