Meander With Purpose Instead of Traditional Goal-Setting
Published on 10 Mar 2008 at 9:11 am.
18 Comments.
Filed under Attraction, Business Development, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
A few years ago I attended a presentation by a Stephen Shapiro, author of Goal-Free Living who suggested a different approach to goal-setting that really resonated with me. He talked about 8 Secrets to Goal-Free Living and one that really stayed with me was:
Use a Compass - Not a Map. In other words have a sense of your direction without being fixed on the destination and then “meander with purpose.”
I just loved that concept.
As coach, many of my clients come to me expecting to do a vision, create a list of goals, develop a plan of action, and create strategies to stay on track. Well, we do and we don’t.
In other words, I have found that identifying strong desires (including passions, dreams, soul calling) is just the first step. Next, making the decision to “go for it” is critical to moving forward on anything. You must commit to having what you desire.
William Hutchinson Murray (1913-1996) states in his 1951 book The Scottish Himalayan Expedition:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
The chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation)
There is one elementary truth –
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans –
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
Then providence moves, too.
All sorts of things occur to help one,
That would never have otherwise occurred,
A whole stream of events issue from the decision,
Raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents,
And meetings, and material assistance,
Which none of us could have dreamed would come our way.
Whatever you can do or dream, BEGIN IT.
Boldness has genius, power, magic in it. (line attributed to Goethe)
You can read these steps in Napoleon Hill’s, “Think and Grow Rich”. Click here to download the ebook for free. Hill’s principles have been proven to help people create and attract abundance.
Here’s the twist in Shapiro’s approach that I really like. Instead on getting fixed on any goal or destination, he invites us to be flexible as we move forward on our journey toward greater business success, personal happiness - whatever we desire.
So often when we become attached to reaching certain goals and benchmarks, we can become close-minded to options and opportunities that do not fit the strategic plan or vision we have created. We might let things go by the wayside without being open to possibilities that might ultimately bring us greater success and happiness beyond our imaginations. We can walk with blinders on and miss many of the gifts that are being presented.
Have you ever felt pulled to do something that might have seemed to take you off in a direction that was contrary to your vision? Did you follow it? If so, what happened?
A few years ago, when I created my first informational product, folks asked me if I intended to focus on internet marketing. I loudly said, “NO, that is not what I’m supposed to be doing”. Imagine my surprise when I realized that in order to fulfill my desire to “inspire and touch the lives of people all the world,” looking at being more known on the web was a must. Now as I hold my vision, I stay open to different opportunities that pop up that bring possibilities I might not have considered. It’s a lot more fun!
Have a direction in mind that encompasses your desires, needs, and values. Walk forward with an adventurer’s spirit, follow the wisdom and guidance of your heart (I call soul), and be open to the twists and turns that arise on your path that feel so right to take. In my opinion, meandering with purpose is a walk of self-trust, instinct, and faith.
Check out Stephen Shapiro’s book here and download his free companion guide here or Google: meander with purpose to find Goal-Free Living pdf.
Have fun walking! 
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Brennan Kingsland on 11 Mar 2008 at 1:27 pm: 1
Whether we meander purposefully, press forward with drive and determination, or founder in fear, eventually we all get to the end. The difference is in how much we enjoy the process.
lorraine on 11 Mar 2008 at 3:46 pm: 2
Thanks for adding your thoughts Brennan
I’m with you in appreciating and enjoying the journey.
Cheers,
Lorraine
Robert Greenshields on 11 Mar 2008 at 5:05 pm: 3
Hi Lorraine
I always believe there are two keys to getting what you want. One is knowing your destination, the other is to be taking action towards it. In between, it’s best to let go of the exact means and milestones. I like the concept of compass instead of map!
lorraine on 11 Mar 2008 at 7:15 pm: 4
Hi Robert,
I’m with you - without any direction or the willingness to be in motions, we drift aimlessly. That’s why I was drawn to the notion of meandering with a compass. Letting go of all the hows and milestones allows for more creativity, reslilence, and intuition. Personally, that works best for me.
Thanks for adding your thoughts!
Best,
Lorraine
Darlene Norris on 11 Mar 2008 at 7:48 pm: 5
Sometimes when you meander, you wind up in a different place than you expected. But a lot of times it’s a better place than you originally wanted. You’re right, goals are good, but you need to be open to things that may happen along the way to achieving your goal.
lorraine on 12 Mar 2008 at 11:50 am: 6
My point exactly Darlene
You said it - lots of times we end up in much better places than we thought. Imagine what might be possible is you approaced life experiences in that way!
Have fun meandering
Suzie Cheel on 14 Mar 2008 at 2:55 am: 7
Love this post Lorraine, the meandering concept is great and the self-trust
lorraine on 14 Mar 2008 at 9:07 pm: 8
Thanks Suzie
I really liked the freshness of this way of thinking and tying instinct to intuition.
Cheers,
Lorraine
Nievo J. on 18 Mar 2008 at 10:46 pm: 9
My thought for this is when we meander a lot of chances that we would change directions. Meaning if we haven’t finish one goal then there is another one to start and would be another unfinished goal probably. Just a thought, ok? Achieving goals is not really a simple task and it’s all about how we deal with it.
lorraine on 19 Mar 2008 at 7:48 am: 10
Hi Nievo
We definitely can get off track of one goal to pursue another. I see meandering as bringing more opportunities to reach the goal rather than being so attached to the steps and strategy. Another upside is that an original goal might change to be something more desired when we meander. The point is to be flexible in how you achieve what you want. Whatever works for you!
Here’s to you success!
Lorraine
Nievo J. on 19 Mar 2008 at 8:06 pm: 11
Hmm that opened my mind there lorraine. Ok, so by meandering we will not start a new goal and make another one instead we modified our original goal to come up with a more desirable one. Meaning in time you’ll achieve more. Am I correct or not really?
It’s nice to hear the views of others because you’ll learn a lot. I thank you for that lorraine. Flexibility is also a key to achieve goals.
lorraine on 19 Mar 2008 at 9:16 pm: 12
Bingo Nievo
Here’s an example - My goal in growing my business is to create a global presence. I had specific marketing ideas and strategies that I intended to pursue. Over 18 months ago I was offered my own internet radio show. Something I had never considered as part of my marketing plan. It gave me pause to explore that as a possibility which was not part of my original strategy. So meandered over to the idea and decided to do it. Becoming a broadcaster has definitely contributed to my overall goal of becoming global and I have received multiple benefits I would have missed if I was closed to following my heart as well as my purpose. See what I mean?
Cheers,
Lorraine
Self-improvement Advice on 19 Mar 2008 at 9:46 pm: 13
“Global presence” I like it. As you can see lorraine I’m on the same track too. That’s why I’m searching site like this to eventually learn a lot on how to set up realistic and attainable goals.
Yes, I got it now lorraine.
Thanks and more success!
lorraine on 20 Mar 2008 at 8:00 am: 14
We learn from each other!
Business models, sucess strategies, visioning, Law of Attraction - are shifting paradigms and as we become more conscious of what is possible and our role in that manifestation process, we can become more deliberate creators of our lives. Pretty cool!
Evelyn on 20 Mar 2008 at 11:27 am: 15
I like the idea about using the compass rather than a detailed map.
Thanks for sharing!
Evelyn
lorraine on 20 Mar 2008 at 12:08 pm: 16
It’s a lot more fun that can be full of great surprises Evelyn!
Try it out for yourself
Cheers,
Lorraine
Ari Koinuma on 25 Jul 2008 at 8:37 am: 17
Hey Lorraine,
Thanks for referring me to this article. I totally agree with you about traditional goal-setting can be hindrance to being happy. I myself have a history of being easily-upsettabble person, because I expect a lot of life and have a lot of goals, which in return crush me with their weight. I think the approach you’re discussing here is healthier and reliable.
You’re inspiring me to write more on this topic, as I think it can help a lot of people! Thanks again.
lorraine on 25 Jul 2008 at 1:46 pm: 18
My pleasure Ari
Thinking about goalsetting from this viewpoint really gave me a lot more freedom to create and attract more of what I want.
I’m delighted you feel inspired to write more about this. BTW - I had a conversation with Steve Shapiro on my show. Here’s the link if you’d like to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/PowerfullLiving/2008/06/26/Powerfull-Living-Radio-with-Stephen-Shapiro
Have a great weekend Ari
Warmly,
Lorraine