The Growth Curve

Do you ever feel let down after you reach a goal that you have worked long and hard for? Let’s talk about why that happens and how to avoid it.

Did you know that people are teleological beings? We are goal, or picture, oriented. That means that it is absolutely critical for us to have goals and to know what we want in life. But what happens when we get what we want? Suddenly the goal we have been working so hard to achieve has been accomplished and now there is nothing to strive toward. Now what?

Well, most of us have a tendency to flatten out – we shift our energy into neutral, and start to feel deflated and let down. We lose our drive, our creativity and our initiative. Sometimes we even feel restless or a little depressed.

If you would like to avoid this trap, learn to set your goals to take you through – not just up to – your objective. In other words, don’t wait until you’ve achieved a goal before setting another one. Goal-setting is a very powerful force. However, it needs to be continuous and ongoing if it is really going to get you anywhere.

Of course, you can kick back and rest whenever you want to. But if it’s a choice you’ve made, not something imposed on you by circumstances, it’s likely to be a much more satisfying time out. It’s a decision made by intent, and not by neglect.

So, keep asking yourself, “What’s next? What more do I want to do? Where do I want to go next?” It is important to keep growing in all aspects of life, and continuously setting and affirming clear goals is one of the most effective ways to put yourself on an upward growth curve.