So often, we get wrapped up in the idea that we need to “succeed”, that we need to reach our goals, or that we need to arrive. We plan, set our goals, and then work hard to achieve them, and that’s important. We should be goal oriented, but often times we set our sights on a goal, and we miss the opportunity to grow during the trip.

On our way to our goals, we pass through territory that we haven’t passed through before. We may end up traveling with people that we meet along the way. We will end up knowing the people that we’re traveling with better than we knew them before. We’ll think thoughts we haven’t thought before, and we do things that we haven’t done before. This is all opportunity for growth.

Part of setting priorities and achieving goals is experiencing and growing along the way. The growth on the way to the goal is often what the goal is about. Many times, we start towards a goal, but end up switching directions or creating new targets because of how we grow and change, because of who we meet along the way. Our goals change us, and our paths along the ways to our goals change us.

Using the broad metaphor of a trip, you may need to pass through a lake, or through a large canyon to get to where you’re going. Do you learn to swim, or go around the lake altogether? Do you learn to rappel and climb, or go around the canyon altogether? What if there’s a mountain? Do you learn to climb? Do you fall in love with the lake, the canyon, or the mountain? Do you decide to alter your goals and stay there because of your experience? Do your priorities change now? What do you become in order to get to where you’re going?

The goal itself is important, yes, We shouldn’t lose sight of our goals. We should also be and stay aware during our trips. We often gain insight and skill through experience that allows us to become something new. We will often not only change, but also find enjoyment in the journey.