SET GOALS AND FIND SUCCESS

SET GOALS AND FIND SUCCESS

By Scott Barnard, President of SAHRA

WHILE AT THE 2019 SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) conference, I had the opportunity to briefly (and I really mean briefly) meet Blake Mycoskie, founder of the shoe company TOMS.

He was a keynote speaker and much of what he said resonated with me. I bought his book and waited in line to meet him and have him sign the

book.

I’m finally getting around to reading

the book, “Start Something That

Matters.” This morning I read about the importance of finding your story and why it’s important. He speaks in relation to starting a company, a foundation, a charity, etc. As I was reading this morning, I couldn’t help but think about how this principle applies to our everyday careers.

To quote one of my favorite experts on leadership (said very tongue in cheek), “The

Office’s” Michael G. Scott, “Why are you the way that you are?”

Why do you do what you do? Have you thought about where you are and how you got there? What is your story?

According to Mycoskie, the story behind TOMS is their #1 reason for company success. People identify with their story and buy into it. Being able to identify your story is key to having a fulfilling, successful and purposeful career. Living life with a purpose is so much more fulfilling than waking up and wondering what you’re doing or why you are where you are.

Living life with a purpose allows you to push yourself further than you thought possible. When you’ve got nothing left except blood, sweat and tears, you go just a little further because you know giving that little bit more will keep you in line with your purpose. Living with a purpose allows you to set goals for yourself that mean something to you. You can SMART goal your way through life, but if you’re not living with a purpose, then what motivation do you have to actually set goals for yourself that stretch you and make you grow?

Speaking of goals...set them! Even if you’ve struggled to find your purpose in life, you still need to set goals. Setting goals will at least give you some direction as you continue the journey of finding your story and knowing your purpose. Consider this thought from Earl Nightingale:

People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.

Find your story. Know your purpose. Set goals. You’ll be glad you did.

Living life with a purpose allows you to push yourself further than you thought possible.