Last week we had Growth Week at work; it was an excellent opportunity to attend sessions led by internal and external experts. I learned a few new concepts and got refreshed on some general ideas.
A word caught my attention while attending a meeting with that new energy. The word was "Vector". In physics, the term 'Vector' describes an object with both magnitude and direction. That was like a light bulb moment that gave me a new perspective on a topic I was dwelling on for many years. The topic was "In life, whether one should keep chasing goals? or take life as it comes and enjoy the journey?".

Goals or Journey?

Over the years, I have observed many people around me. Some looked busy chasing goals, and a few followed their journey. While people who choose to pursue goals have accomplished excellent results. They seemed happier, but during a one to one conversation, they would often open up and share the feeling of emptiness and lack of direction they face. On the other hand, it looked like people who chose to follow the journey enjoyed their lives. But they also used had the feeling of lack of accomplishment and/or sense of achievement in their lives.

My own life was no different; initially, I was a person who followed the "enjoy the journey" approach initially and later moved toward goal orientation. But I did not feel a sense of accomplishment after reaching many of the goals. Nevertheless, I thought that both were important. So I tried to bring them together through my own concept called GQC - The Goal, Question and the Context.
Both Goal orientation and journey orientation have their advantages.

You can use the techniques like setting up SMART goals. For example, if your goal is to become a professional coach, you can write it as a SAMRT goal.

S - Specific - To become a professional coach through ICF

M- Measurable - and have an ACC qualification.

A-Attainable - ensuring that you have time and resources to accomplish that goal (if you are too busy, it may not be the right time)

R- Relevant - You are clear that this goal will forward your career or your aspiration in life

T- Time-bound - by Oct 2023.

A journey oriented person also might have a desire to become a coach (like I had). Let me share my own example. In 2013, I realised that I should become a professional coach. I started speaking with people who knew about coaching and, by luck, came across Bhaskar Natrajan, a professional coach and a member of the board at ICF. Took his guidance, explored various pathways and chose ICF as my path. By Oct 2015, I had my ACC credentials from ICF. So it was not a time-bound goal but a journey oriented accomplishment by going with the flow.

Vector

Now what about the Vector? - How you can use it to create impactful results in your life?

Vector is an entity that has both magnitude and direction.

First, let's look at the direction part. Direction represents your purpose. Ensure that all your actions are aligned with your purpose in life. Earlier I used to use the compass as an analogy to point to your "true north", but the concept of the vector gives more options, the direction can be your south, east, west or anywhere. Direction answers the question "Where do I want to be?".

The next part of magnitude gives you the priority "How important is this for me? and how fast do I want to reach there?". Based on that you plan your actions and go towards it.

Creating results

My realisation on the question, "In life, whether one should keep chasing goals? or take life as it comes and enjoy the journey?".

Both are a valid options but if you are goal-oriented persons, remember to hava vector , a direction, a purpose that gives you sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in long term. If you are a journey oriented person, it is not enough to move in the right direction you need to build the magnitude (some velocity, agility) and be action-oriented to take your life forward. Create some tangible results that benefit others. That will give you a sense of accomplishment.

The only measure of progress in both cases is your happiness. "am I happy now?", "If I take this action will it lead me towards happiness?" .

The title of the article is inspired by a the old Microsoft Advert, that started me to think about my life and its purpose.

"Where do you want to go today?"