“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

One of the things we’re told by productivity gurus is that we need to have clearly defined goals or outcomes — the better defined it is, the more likely you’ll achieve it.  And, an end date – a definite stop point where the goal is “due.”  This process has worked for me.  In the past, when I visualized my goals and set my mind to achieving it, and took small action steps to get there… I achieved my goals.

And, while this is true to some extent, it’s not the only way. In fact, depending on your outlook on life, it may not be the ideal way.

The problem with focusing on the outcome is that things don’t always turn out that way. And when they don’t, you’ll often end up either 1) trying to force something when it shouldn’t be forced; or 2) being hugely disappointed or frustrated.

So, here’s a method that embraces simplicity:  Don’t try to force outcomes — let them happen. Be open to what emerges.

This is a change that I’ve been trying in my life over the last year or more — slowly, gradually, because it’s not always easy. You have to learn to let go of the need to achieve certain outcomes, to embrace the flow, and that can be very difficult for Type A, only-child, perfectionist personalities.

Goals Made Simple
One of the questions I’m asked, especially now while moving through this re-branding process for Wendistry, is, “What are your plans for Wendistry in the next year or two?”  And my answer now is, “I have no plans. I just want to keep enjoying what I’m doing, give the best and most creative work possible, and see what arises.”

This is a radically different approach from the way many people do things. It’s not necessarily better, but it’s working well for me.  I’m not shutting the door on any unknown opportunities and serendipities because I’m so hard-driven toward a result that I expect… what if fate, or God, or the Universe has something better in mind?  And, now I’ve close the door on it because of my “small” thinking.

Another reason I’ve taken this approach is that when I started Wendistry in its latest form 2.5 years ago, I had absolutely no idea it would be a company of value. I mean, I knew that I had value… I had consulting service knowledge and skills that would help others launching businesses, but I didn’t know if the concept could compete in the marketplace.  I thought, “If I can have 3-5 clients that I work with and no other employees, I’ll be happy. If I make a solid six figures annually, it’ll be a nice single girl income.  Well, here we are almost three years later and I’m launching three other businesses that have completely shifted my focus off of Services and on to Products.

The lesson learned is: you don’t know what will happen, or what opportunities will arise, until you arrive at that moment. You can plan and plan and plan, but there is just no way to know how things will turn out. And if my plan doesn’t include an opportunity that I didn’t see coming, I might miss it.  Sure, I could continually adjust my plans based on changing circumstances … but then, what’s the point of the plan?

Instead, I have forgone the need to define outcomes, and have focused on enjoying the journey. That doesn’t mean I’m not motivated to do my best — I am — nor does it mean that I take a lackadaisical attitude toward my work (although I do get lazy, like anyone else). It means that I’m motivated by the work, that I enjoy the activity, not by the destination, goal or outcome.

The hardest part about this approach: if you aren’t striving for a particular outcome, you won’t know what will happen. This lack of knowing is difficult.  Most people like the security of predicting and controlling the future with goals and plans.  Letting go of that security is scary.  But, here’s what you need to realize… that security is an illusion.  We have no way to predict the future.  We cannot control it.  We can try (and we do try), but we fail, all the time.  We chalk it up to “plans gone wrong” or making mistakes or not planning for contingencies, but the truth is, we just need to admit we can’t control or predict the future.

“Basically, I no longer work for anything but the sensation I have while working.” – John Gay, English poet & dramatist

Excerpts taken from “ZEN HABITS” by Leo