On Monday’s post, Fred, Virginia, and Bob made interesting comments about my goal of seeing all 394 National Parks in three years. The gist was it would be a push, and what was the point of rushing?
They’re right. The parks will still be there after 2013, assuming alien robots don’t take over the world and force us humans into slave labor, which involves razing all the wilderness to make way for giant hovercraft parking lots.
Which, if you think about it, is a real concern.
But really, there are good reasons for putting a timeframe on a goal. We do this to:
- Make ourselves accountable
- Keep a fire lit under the project, and
- Give ourselves a way to measure our success
We think of our wouldn’t-it-be-fun-to’s and make plans. We get excited. We picture ourselves crossing the finish line. We start drinking celebratory champagne now, as a warm-up. (Maybe that’s just me.)
But the truth is, things change. We can make all the plans we want and still, life tosses us around in ways we couldn’t have predicted. In the last week alone I’ve lost one good friend to an out-of-state move, gained a new friend I’m already sure I can’t live without, and had three work opportunities come up. (One of which is a done deal – I start co-teaching an online entrepreneurship class Monday. Thank you, Christopher!)
There was a time I thought I’d stay in New York for good.
Central Park, which would have been my backyard.
Then that didn’t make sense anymore. So I moved back to Taos, bought a Scamp, started this blog, and decided to see every National Park in three years. I’ll shoot for that until that doesn’t make sense anymore, either.
I’m not advocating flakiness – unless we’re talking biscuits, ba da bum – I guess I’m just telling myself it’s okay to make plans, let them unfold, then make adjustments if needed. (My new friend planted that seed just yesterday. Smart man.)
Where’s the line between flexibility and a lack of commitment? What do you think?
I think your new friend is spot on! You might want to keep him around for a while.
Making plans and having goals is awesome! However staying open to opportunities that come our way is also a good idea. We might imagine our goal being accomplished a certain way, but there are times when a different route is shown to us and it could be a more pleasant journey to the same end result. I guess my long drawn out point: Be open in receiving those unexpected gifts, whatever shape they appear in.
D -
You’re flirting with the world of life coaching. There’s tons written about goal setting. One major feature of approaching this seroiusly is that the goals are realistically achievable. As Fred points out, your national park visitation goal, from a practical, logistical standpoint, is nearly impossible. Some people like to set impossible goals, or have dreams they never practically work toward accomplishing. I’m sure there’s a good psychological explaination for this behavior. I, for one, would find living that way quite frustrating and unfulfilling.
While you are setting goals (seriously), don’t forget to set milestones along the way. Divide the number of parks by six (the number of six month periods you have in three years), and see how many you’ve visited after the first six month period compared to that number. And again after a year. Then you’ll see if you are achieving or need to re-evaluate.
Plus there was the point about enjoying the spectacular parks once you get to them (too difficult to look back on the iPad and see who suggest that). But, in my experience they are dead on. Fewer places, less travel, more time there equals greater enjoyment.
How about striving to spend 104 days of the next year (that would equal every weekend), or 208 days of the next year (that’s four days per week) actually within the boundaries of national parks doing outdoor active activities? Hiking. Rafting. Biking. Yoga. Maybe you could add in a compatible goal – learning to identify trees or wildflowers, or how to fly fish.
Just some thoughts.
I tend to agree with WSE’s comment above. Imagine this scenario…..you absolutely fall in love with a particular National Park, and find that you want to spend a few more days there, as there is so very much wonder to take in. Problem is, you’re on a schedule. You’ll have to cut two days from each of the next two parks on your list. You’re going to have to rob Peter to pay Paul, as it were. I’d encourage you to give yourself a bit more freedom to roll with whatever comes your way. Don’t just visit the parks…..experience them.
I think the line between flakiness and lack of commitment probably varies from person to person. One person’s flakiness is another person’s stick-to-it-iveness, if you know what I mean.
I wonder if it matters, really. I don’t mean your question doesn’t matter! Just the answer. Would YOU FEEL flaky if you didn’t achieve this goal? Or, do you think WE would think you’re flaky? We don’t crawl into your trailer at night and bunk down, because that’s creepy and crosses a boundary. But you do, so how do you feel?
Roxanne recently posted..Bucket
I think it largely depends on the type of person you are. Some people make plans and are very organized (or even rigid) about meeting way points and deadlines. A downside to this type of personality is that they make feel like a failure if they can’t meet their goals. Others make plans and stay flexible and open to change, knowing deep inside there is a big chance something unforeseen will alter the plans anyway.
My plans certainly never work out the way I plan them to, but I am flexible and just roll with the punches. Some may think me undisciplined, but at 70 I ain’t gonna change now!
You just keep on planning to see all those parks in 3 years, and I think I’m going to plan on doing the same thing.
Martha Fedele recently posted..Where is the leak
I think your personal and professional successes have already answered this question. People who set big goals are people who achieve great things.
You don’t need advice from me, but I’d say stay the course with your pattern of setting high standards for yourself. You will continue to gain the extraordinary experiences that are making for uniquely rich and well lived life.
Jennifer
p.s. I heard a lot of similar concerns with regard to my ‘race’ to the Arctic – speeding past beautiful places, etc. My trip was the trip *I* needed to take and I loved every minute of it.
Jennifer recently posted..Tithing 10
Just like in football – you have to be able to make a snap judgement sometimes and call an audible. Being open to change is a good thing.
Chris Bundy recently posted..What Ive Been Up Too
We set destinations without times and call those goals. Like driving Historic Route 66. I took us five weeks from Chicago to Santa Monica. Which was fine because we got to make the stops we wanted without feeling pushed. I know goals are supposed to be measurable but who says the measure has to be time?
Since your goal is to see all the national parks be sure to buy one of their passport books at the beginning. It is frustrating to have seen as many as we have then decide you should have bought a passport to stamp along the way.
Linda Sand recently posted..Bad Trip in Tucson
“Where’s the line between flexibility and a lack of commitment?”
Well, it used to be the line that started: “What’s your sign?”. But it’d be walking a fine line to use it now. These days I think it’s more like “Can I use your USB to charge up my Iphone?”.
Anyway, I’ve always just used the lines in my forehead. Do they work? Well, anything works if you’re lucky. And nothing works if you’re not.
Bob
Bob Giddings recently posted..Fall
Flow with the current of the river. I’m sure you’ll find what’s best for you and with Sadie along, you can do whatever you please. I just hope you don’t rush through just for the sake of getting it done. The Parks are amazing in this country. I’m so envious that you are going to see them all!
Manisha recently posted..Iron Craft- Snakey Door Thingy
kb – You have a point. Pleasant journey vs. painful slog does sound quite a bit more appealing.
wse – Milestones, great point. Thanks.
Max – I’m seeing a theme here (ha). Thanks for your input.
Deborah – Right. Flakiness isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Roxanne – Great point. I do think I feel a certain level of responsibility to you all to get this done in a timely manner. Though from the responses here, it looks like I was dead wrong on that (ha).
Martha – The funny part is I consider myself really organized, a great planner. But the truth is I’m ultra-right-brained in most things, which lends itself to that more free-form style of getting things done. And if you, at 70, seem to have figured out what works, I’m going to take your advice. So we’ll share the goal, and go for it – but prepare to have it shift over time.
Jennifer – Aha! The lone dissenter (ha). There’s obviously a balance between the two, and I’m trying to find a balance. I’m so glad to have you as an example.
Chris – What I heard you say sounded like the Peanuts teacher: mwah mwah mwah mwah… (ha)
Linda – Great point about time as a measure! That’s such a Western obsession.
Bob G – Gemini. You?
Manisha – Nice. Your words cheered me.
“Bob G – Gemini. You?”
Hard to remember now. But I think there was something fishy going on.
Bob Giddings recently posted..Fall
I’m committed to being flexible! I barely plan anything, anymore. A rough sketch is about as close as I get to planning. Works for me!
Cyndi recently posted..Skimping vs budgeting
I guess it all depends on who’s judging you.
I hear you loud and clear. I don’t know the answer but I what I do know is this – how we fortunate we are to live in a time when we (women in particular) have so many choices?
Kim recently posted..More Stuff
Deonne, If visiting every National Park in the next 3 years is what you want to do, something that revs you up, something you’d enjoy planning and carrying out then why not? AND, if you start it and find out that it isn’t what you want to do, doesn’t rev you up anymore and that you just don’t want to do it – that’s ok too. LG
Cyndi – Thanks for chiming in!
Kim – Great point. I worked at the Feminist Press while I was in New York and met women who laid so much of the groundwork for us. It was humbling.
LG – Yes! Seems like the verdict is have the Big Audacious Goal (keep to those high standards, like Jennifer said), but be prepared to tweak the plan over time. Keep it both inspiring/challenging and flexible.
Just like some of the other people said, it’s a personal thing. To take that one step further, I think it relates to your personal goals. If your personal goals are to travel the country with Sadie and not work a day for the entire time, your line is going to be in a different spot than if you want to run for president. Extreme yes, but to make the point I think it’s valid.
Both will require flexibility, but one will allow you to be more ‘flaky’ than the other and still achieve your goal.
Broad goals seem to work better with flexibility IMO.
Congrats on the co-teaching gig, and the new probably can’t live without friend!
I SAY: Pick the goal and start the goal. It will go one of two ways: (1) a rousing success and you will finish in a blaze of glory; or (2) It will not work out for any of a variety of valid reasons. Choice (1) You will feel pride of accomplishment; or (2) you will feel relief that you tried and won’t forever wonder “what if?” Either way, it’s like Edith Piaf sang so well: Non, Je ne regrette rien”! In fact, stop by youtube and listen to that very song. Now there’s a roadtrip song if I ever heard one!
Webtrippin – Right, national security won’t be at stake if I don’t make all 394 parks in three years (ha). Thanks for the congratulations! Life is pretty great right now.
Gayle – Nice wrap-up. I feel compelled to listen to Edith Piaf and put your outline on a spreadsheet somewhere…
Trick questions, Deonne. Flexibility and lack of commitment are the same. As for realistic or flaky we can’t be objective. Someone else can judge but it’s just their opinion. What matters is your goals motivate you.
Bob recently posted..Rear video
394 parks in 3 years is more than one every three days. Yes, some are small and close, but others take longer than 3 days to get much out of, and some are just plain hard to get to. Channel Islands is only accessable via boat/helicopter, and IIRC there is one in Arizona where they strongly recomend a 4wd vehicle and at least two good spare tires as well as the ability to change them yourself. (no cell signal or paved roads in the park.)
Blars recently posted..lancaster-remington
We have a similar goal but may end up a few short because some locations are practically inaccessible, requiring a dog sled or private boat plus determination.
But remember it is just a goal.
Bob – Two different spins on the same idea? Interesting.
Blars and GaryB – Have I not mentioned that I do in fact own a boat, helicopter, 4WD vehicle with spare tires, *and* a dog sled? But yeah, it might be an overly optimistic goal.
Deonne, It seems to me that you are “enjoying the journey and not just the destination.” By the way, where can we read more about your helicopter?
Jim – I’m definitely enjoying the journey, which is good since the destination seems to be shifting a bit. When things settle down I’ll start that heli-scamping blog (ha).
Deonne, your enjoyment and description of the journey is a pleasure to read about thanks to your creative writing style. I picked up on your helicopter ownership because I piloted choppers in the Marine Corps and was curious which model yours is.
Jim – That’s nice of you to say, thank you. My helicopter model is “Imaginary” – you’re the real deal.