In a world filled with self-help books and bullet planners and TED talks and life-planning workshops, one might feel a sense of pressure to set goals in every area of their life. School, Career, Marriage, Physical Health…you feel me? I’m feeling a bit annoyed by the pressure. (obviously, this is a “Just Venting” post right?)
So, I am an avid audiobook listener. It’s what I do while driving alone, or cleaning the kitchen or other mindless tasks so that I can “read” ALL OF THE BOOKS that I want to read while still GETTING THE STUFF DONE.
I am currently listening to Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. First, I love this book, and I am not done with it yet…almost, but not entirely. Rachel is REAL Y’all. Read her stuff. Anyway, at one point she talks about setting GOALS, and it was in that moment that I realized: I am thrilled with my career. I could live the rest of my life exactly where I am and love it; I hope to. God willing. This place that I have been called to is my sweet spot.
So, that being said, I want to say that I DON’T HAVE A CAREER GOAL. I never really did. I know I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was little. As a tween, I envisioned a future where I drove a semi truck (BJ and the Bear was a huge influence…I hearted Greg Evigan back then), specifically a big red semi truck! I also wanted to look like Judy Landers while driving said red semi truck.
I never said my childhood goals were realistic.
Beyond that… as I grew older my sole intent was to move out of my parents home and be an independent woman…however I could make it happen. I did dream of being a 9-1-1 dispatcher…briefly… until I did not get the job in my early 20s. That was the first job I had ever applied for and NOT GOTTEN. I know… UNFATHOMABLE.
I have had MANY jobs. I believe there is a post somewhere on this blog that lists them all. Wait…that’s not my point. I did not then and do not now have a career goal. I left jobs when it was right for me to leave them and just kept following the path until God used some strange ways to bring me to where I am now. I have had additional jobs while my role at Granger Community Church was part-time; I even considered leaving it when an invitation to become a 9-1-1 dispatcher was extended to me because I needed to think about <GASP> future retirement plans. Yes, it was a life-affirming moment when I was selected to begin a job as a dispatcher…They like me! They really like me! Long story short, God called me to stay in this role, but now it is a full-time position. Indeed the dream I did not know I had.
So, when I hear a guru tell me to WRITE MY GOALS DOWN, or even suggest that I MUST HAVE A CAREER GOAL, I want to challenge the idea. I am where I want to be. I’m not complacent or giving up or lazy. I am HERE! What I will say is that I am always striving to add to my blessing…knowledge. I have a TON of CEUs for a degree that I don’t have. You heard me…I don’t have a degree! “But, Dawn…shouldn’t that be your goal?” and to that, I say “PFFFFFTT” – I have no desire to sit through AT LEAST six years of schooling that would include classes that are NOT relevant to what I do. Also, I have no desire to add said courses to my budget because I am NOT acquiring any additional debt.
Time to end vent… Do I have goals? Hmmmm. Perhaps. I feel that I have HOPES. I hope to improve my physical health and overcome the barriers that contribute to any problems. I hope to have a home that can be the hub for both sides of our family as well as incorporate opportunities to entertain friends. I hope to live until I am 120 years old with my mind fully intact and my body holding up well. If that sounds lazy or complacent…you are entitled to your opinion.
I, however, feel that I am doing my best to listen to the direction of God and live my life according to the steps He reveals to me. I know He has goals.
Just Venting...or something like it 