Lesson 4: Goal-setting
Now we get to a crucial step: personal goal-setting.
First, you must recognize the difference between job and calling. I hope you have thought about this.
Now you must set some goals.
There is a lot of debate on how to do this best, but there is no debate on this: the importance of setting goals. Whether you go into business or not, you had better set detailed goals. Soon. Preferably today.
To get motivated to get your goals down on paper, watch this Will Smith montage video. I hope it stays up. If it disappears, get motivated by something else.
Most goal-setting programs have you list the things you want as a consumer. I do not do this. I want you to write down a dream list of things you want to accomplish as a producer. This is called a bucket list. But, unlike the movie with this name, I do not want you to think about the things you want to do for yourself. I want you to think about your calling: the most important thing you can do with your life in which you will be most difficult to replace.
Get two sheets of paper. On one sheet, write down Calling. On the other sheet, write down Job.
Now the hard work begins. Try to think of ten possibilities in each area — ten areas in which you think you could make a difference, or might make a difference. You may not want to devote your life to a few them, but if you did, you could make a positive difference. If you can identify more than ten, fine. But come up with at least ten.
With respect to the calling, consider this: “What do I want to leave behind?” This is your legacy list.
With respect to the job, consider this: “What services can I offer for sale that someone will pay me for?” This is your income list.
You may not know what your legacy should be. The same is true of your job. What would you like each to be, if you had the skills? (Over time, you can get the skills in almost all cases . . . at some price.)
Assume that you will get the money and the skills to achieve at least one of the goals. Which one should it be? You need a list for comparison. Make these two lists. This is your assignment for today.
Your assignment in lesson 5 will be even harder. You will cull all but five on each list. Of these final ten, you will write this after each choice: “Why?” Then you will give reasons.
Your calling is more important than your job. Deal with it first. Your jobs in life should support your calling.
Before you begin, if you are female, consider this: the final words of the Book of Proverbs.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Business and calling can be meshed.
Just for the record, I married someone like this. So did Ron Paul.
To males, I say: look for a woman to marry who has already begun to use this woman as a role model. Warning: you may not meet her standards. Start working on this now.
Here is my courtship advice: the best way to meet the right person is doing volunteer work for a non-profit organization. The selection is limited, but the candidates are high quality and low risk.
Of all the joint ventures in life not to mess up, marriage is #1.