Inspirational Information

Its The Journey, Not The Destination


Don't you just hate clichés like the one illustrated in the headline of this article? I know I do. But love them or hate them, most of us must admit that such adages and clichés are often grounded in truth, and this one is no different.

Many people view goals in a one-dimensional manner: you either succeed or you fail. It's understandable why people view goals in such a black and white manner, because as humans we tend to be very results-oriented, and it's this single-minded tenacity and critique that has allowed us to develop from cavemen around a campfire to modernized individuals living in a world with satellites, computers and medical miracles.

But this strength can also be a weakness when you close your mind to the big picture and instead focus purely on the end result. For example, let's say I wanted to develop a secondary income stream to help pay some extra bills. I decide that since Internet marketing is a relatively "cheap" way to enter the business world, I'll develop a website that offers dog training books to dog owners via an affiliate program.

Three months go by and my site receives little traffic, and the traffic it does receive is so unfocused that my sales conversion is horrible. Did I fail? In a black and white world, absolutely - I'm not making any money, thus I failed. But let's look at the big picture a little closer, shall we?

During those three months while it's true that did not make any money, here's what I did do:

  • I learned how to build a website. Perhaps it's not the fanciest site in the world, but it gave me a solid foundation upon which I can build better websites in the future.
  • I developed a better understanding of what I need to do to promote a website in the various search engines.
  • I learned how to locate and join various affiliate programs that complements the theme of my site.
  • I learned that because my traffic was not targeted enough (I received too many non-pet owners or non-dog owners), sales conversions were minimal.
  • And most importantly of all, I took a step forward in the right direction rather than just sat back and dreamt about my goal, which is more than most people do.
My initial failure is in some ways a success, because I gained invaluable knowledge that will better help me tweak my website and promotions, or build more solid foundations for future sites and projects. Failure does not have to be the end of the road - it can instead be an essential lesson that guides your hand through continued attempts at goal achievement.

The above example uses a business-oriented website, but surely you can see how this would apply for any task or goal. If after a week of dieting you lost no weight, you know you've done something wrong and should tweak your formula. If after a month of studying a foreign language you still don't have any of the basics down, you know you're too distracted or undedicated at your current pace and thus need to up the ante a bit. No matter what your goal may be, failure is never the end of the road - it's a lesson that will lead to future success.

Copyright 2005 Goals and Motivation.com

Jeffrey Rolo is an experienced human resources manager, business owner and also the owner of Goals and Motivation.com, a website offering a free 20+ page guide on goal setting. Visit http://www.goals-and-motivation.com to view this guide as well as other articles about goals and management.


MORE RESOURCES:

Inspirational Collie woman in national book
Collie Mail, Australia - 6 hours ago
INSPIRATIONAL Collie resident Shirley Birch has been selected to be a part of the Who’s Who of Australian Women publication. The foster carer and 2004 Order ...


Friends say thank you to "inspirational" Ella
Bridgwater Mercury, UK - 4 hours ago
By Matthew Colledge » FRIENDS of a Bridgwater mother-to-be threw a surprise event for her at the Bangla curry restaurant. The baby shower event was ...


Inspirational Palace star launches autobiography
Croydon Advertiser, UK - 6 hours ago
Former Crystal Palace star Geoff Thomas is launching the paperback version of his autobiography in Croydon next week. The book, called Riding Through The ...
Ex-Alex star to launch his autobiography in town Crewe and Nantwich Guardian
all 2 news articles


Joseph returning to Regina after rallying Toronto to inspirational win
The Canadian Press - Jul 22, 2008
Kerry Joseph is returning to Regina on a roll. Joseph leads the Toronto Argonauts into Saskatchewan to face the undefeated Roughriders, the same team Joseph ...


ABC News

An inspirational triumph of faith
The Age, Australia - Jul 20, 2008
"A TSUNAMI of faith and joy" was how World Youth Day co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher described the festival of youth and religion that ends today with ...
Video: Pope Holds Mass for 350,000 AssociatedPress
From Hostility to Hope National Catholic Register
Local kids uplifted at World Youth Day Florida Today
Scoop.co.nz (press release) - New Zealand Herald
all 6,452 news articles


Johns uses 'Idol' as training
Cincinnati.com, OH - Jul 23, 2008
It was supposed to be inspirational songs and "Dream On" sounded pretty inspirational to me. That's why I was confused when Randy (Jackson) said (it was an ...
For 'soft-rockin' ' Graham Colton, these are good days Dallas Morning News
all 4 news articles


Governor's five-day trade mission has an inspirational start
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - Jul 20, 2008
by Claire Heininger/The Star-Ledger JERUSALEM -- Jet-lagged and juggling a whirlwind schedule, Gov. Jon Corzine made time Sunday for one unexpected stop. ...


Inspiration Network International Launches on the UK’s Newest ...
eMediaWorld.com Newswire Press Release Distribution Service (press release), AZ - 5 hours ago
INI has become the fastest growing inspirational network for the international audience. “Our goal is to make INI culturally relevant,†Young said. ...


College Celebrates National VQ Day
RedOrbit, TX - 51 minutes ago
Mr Plaskitt said: "It is inspirational to hear their stories. They have all worked so hard, some bringing up families with young children at the same time; ...


Jackson reaches milestone with 50 million album sales
Newnan Times-Herald, GA - 9 hours ago
He has also been nominated for the 14th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards' Mainstream Country Artist of the Year. "Small Town Southern Man" was ...

Inspirational - Google News

home | site map
© 2006