October 17, 2009 by alunparry

Journeys Count More Than Goals

I tend to think in terms of goals. Stuff I want to achieve. Not necessarily just personal goals, but the social goals too.

So I’ll invent the idea of AFC Liverpool then make it happen.

Or I’ll invent the idea of the Working Class Music Festival and then make that happen.

Or I’ll decide I want to play festivals, then work to make that happen.

All the focus is on the goal.

I now think that this outlook is a mistake.

Life is not a collection of goals and milestones. Well, not until someone writes your obituary perhaps – but what good is that to you then?

While it’s happening, when it matters, it is a collection of journeys.

And that’s a big difference in outlook.

The arrival at the destination lasts just moments. And once you’re there, what then? Often a new goal!!

But the journey is how you spend the bulk of your life, traveling from goal to goal.

So why is the goal the focus?

Is it really good enough to achieve something fab, but really not enjoy the journey?

Sure, goals are important. You may as well travel to where you want to be.

But they’re not as important as the journey.

After all, the Working Class Music Festival lasted 4 days, but it took me 9 months graft to get there. So how can 4 days outweigh 9 months in importance?

Well, it can’t.

So there’s a flip change in my head now. I won’t be getting excited just by coming up with great ideas. I’ll be checking how much fun I’ll have getting from here to there.

And it will mainly be the journey, not the goal that will make me decide whether to go ahead with them or not.

This song of mine kind of fits this posting: [audio: PARRYDL0007.mp3]

#afc liverpool#alun parry#goal#goals#journey#journeys#milestones#outlook#working class music festival