Keep Your Eyes on the Goal

Most of us are stressed in these difficult days.  Stress often distracts us from the most important things and usually pushes us toward instinctive or conditioned thoughts and behaviors.  Unfortunately, for most of us, our instinctive or conditioned behaviors won’t effectively move us toward our goals.  Usually “fight or flight” instinctive behaviors like avoidance or defensiveness are not helpful.  And far too often, conditioned behaviors can be simply dysfunctional.

During times of stress, it is more important than ever to keep your eye on the goal and be clear about the things that move you toward your goal and the things that don’t.  During difficult days it is so important to carefully choose our thoughts, words, and actions.  For leaders in organizations our thoughts, words, and actions are magnified many times because of the direct impact on the people in the organization who are receiving and watching every word and action.

So do not let the stress of these current days distract you from your goal.  Don’t let the difficulties you face push you into instinctive or conditioned behaviors.  Keep the goal in mind and consciously choose thoughts, words, and actions that propel you toward that goal.  Pause a moment before each action and each word; ask yourself will what I’m about to say or do move me closer to my goal?