10 Count a victory and take the next step
by Una Hearne.
The immediate results of any one action are usually fairly predictable. Think of putting your glass back on the table after drinking, usually this results in the glass being on the table. It generally doesn’t leap off the table or turn into a cow.
However, even a little complexity very quickly makes results unpredictable. For example, if I drive to the next town, which route will be quicker? This depends on the traffic, traffic lights, other people’s driving and many other things not in my control. I have to take my best guess.
And then we get to the big ones: Will this job be right for me? Should I marry that person? Should I invest my money in this house? Do I want children? Which choice will make me happiest in the long term?
We can’t possibly predict the outcome of any of these choices with certainty. We are not psychic. I don’t believe anyone is. (Although if you think you are – I will accept next week’s Euro millions numbers emailed to me by Thursday morning as proof!)
When we set goals, we cannot predict, never mind guarantee, the outcome. What we control is our choices and actions. Therefore what we choose to do and the effort we put in should be recognised as the greater part of our achievement. It makes ZERO sense to consider something successful only if the outcome is exactly what we set out to achieve.
Count a victory for everything positive you do in pursuit of any goal, for example:
- Setting the goal in the first place
- Planning the steps to take
- Researching
- Taking responsibility and taking action
- Making contacts and building relationships
- Doing all of the quality thinking, listening, questioning and learning along the way
- Putting in the hours of work
- Changing and adapting plans
We build on success. One step at a time. If we are successful in something it gives us the confidence to do the next thing. So we need to recognise each successful step and acknowledge it. And if you don’t end up where you set out to go you need to be careful not to dismiss everything you did, and did well, because all of that experience makes you better and more capable for the next thing you do. Hold the dream lightly, it is there to give you direction. Count a victory for every step you take and then take the next step.
