Getting through the bumps is a necessary phase in achievement. Whether you’re fighting for the job, chasing the sale, or scraping your way to just about any goal, nothing great comes easy.
So how do you keep your edge, your optimism, your joy… Even as you suffer pain?
I’m loathe to turn to pop culture for this meaningful lesson, but there is a song which is perfect to support my point. Miley Cyrus sings this chorus in her song The Climb:
“There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb.”
It’s the climb.
Happiness is a Moving Target
When you choose the goals you will pursue, don’t focus on the end result when it comes to your happiness. Saying to yourself, “I’ll be happy when…” can be too little consolation in the meantime.
A concept that has been proven time and time again is that our personal happiness is a moving target. The American Declaration of Independence guarantees the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as a testament to this idea. We are always pursuing goals, dreams, and ideals, because it gives us meaning and purpose. It is not pinning down these achievements that boosts us up in the long-run, though. It is constantly moving forward and striving for more; this is something we often miss.
Savour the Moment
If you want to be a lawyer, or a car salesman, or a professional gamer online, consider the process. What will it take for you to get there? Do you enjoy those individual steps? Could you be happy articling, or talking to strangers all day, or spending a considerable amount of your day in front of a computer screen? If not, choose a different path. The day-to-day is what will make or break your goals.
Dream dreams that feed your soul. The road will be smooth and bumpy. You can be happy and fulfilled when you achieve your goal, but more importantly, you can be happy in the meantime. When we’ve built up enough happiness equity because we love the journey, we can weather the tough storms with optimism. If you love the process, you love the climb. If you love the journey, results are icing on the cake. Do what you love. Be relentless. Savour the moment. There’s always a new goal to chase. Enjoy the climb.
