It is easy to see the connection between goals and a schedule so I can meet those goals. However, though I was brought up to believe in meticulous step-by-step planning with the discipline to avoid deviations from “the plan,” I have realized that many times the effort in creating that step-by-step bridge between goals and a schedule is wasted.
Though I believe that the best schedule is a guide, after a period of time, the schedule becomes a habit and a more definite schedule is in place. As this happens, the person might be closer to their goal, but the rigorous journey to reach these goals sometimes blind people from their real objective as we focus too much on achieving that stepping stone. For example, my goal to have multiple streams of passive income and a successful massage business is so I can travel, learn, and experience different cultures and people. However, because of my passion for massage, it will be easy to lock myself up in a massage business, delaying if not ending my dream of traveling the world. A better solution would be selling my business to a respected massage therapist in the area, and do massage as I travel for money or for fun. Reevaluation of goals and aspirations are regularly needed as humans are creatures of habit. After reevaluating what needs to be done, just do it. By just doing it, you will slowly become quicker and better at making decisions and reacting to what is presented to you.
Kyuzo Mifune, the “God of Judo,” believed that the strength of Judo lies in its flexibility and creativity to see, react, and adapt to opportunities. He called it the “flexible action of mind and body”. For instance, if someone starts pushing me, my reaction might be to pivot under the direction of his push and pull him over me, executing a seoinage or shoulder throw. Being able to follow an action with a quick flexible reaction that shifts disadvantage to advantage is something that can be applied from Judo to anyone’s everyday life.
