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Goals v. Actions

I recently posted a quotation on my wordecho blog about committing to action as opposed to committing to a goal. The quotation is:

“Committing to a goal does not always bring action, yet committing to an action will invariably bring you to your goal.”
--Jeffrey Fry

I actually got some feedback on this in the form of a question:

“But what if it turns out to be an action that doesn't produce the results you ultimately want. If you commit to a goal, then you will alter your actions to be consistent with fulfilling that goal.”

This is actually an excellent question, but one that does not understand the difference between setting a goal and actually achieving it.

Let me explain. You have a goal, but you commit to an action..case in point.. Losing weight: Many, many people commit to a goal, say losing 10lbs..and when they do not start to lose weight, then feel like they are failing. Now if you commit to the action(s) of eating right, going to the gym 3 times a week to work out for an hour, and not cheating, then, you will hit your weight loss goal. All during that time you are in control of your actions, and are let helpless to the vagaries of fate or whatever in achieving them. Many people commit to goals: to start a company, get wealthy, become a better such-and-such, but few ever achieve them because the NEVER commit to an action of doing the first step...Case in point: Obama...he committed to goals but not once did he ever commit to an action to implement those goals, so it FEELS like he is failing...sort of like the war on drugs or poverty or terrorism...commit to the actions and the goals will come...remember padawan..even the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step (an action).
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