Let’s talk about dreams, goals, and pennies. I think everyone has their own “pie-in-the-sky” dream, whether it is to get that job, earn that degree, write that book, move to that place, or [insert whatever your big dream is here]. These are the things we think about when our mind wanders; those thoughts that come to us on long drives, in hot showers, or as we fall asleep at night. Sometimes we may think to ourselves, “in a perfect world, I would…,” or, “if I could do anything I would…” Some dreams stay just as they are, dreams. However, when we begin to take action in the direction of those dreams, they become goals.
Dreams + Plans = Goals
Goals can be daunting, and progress can seem impossible. It takes how long to get a degree? How long does it take to move up the ladder? My investments will take how long to pay dividends?
In my experience, the most crucial time in the fragile lives of our dreams and goals is just after their initial magic and excitement wear off. We shoot off of the starting line, eager to move in the direction of our goal.
Then, right on cue, enter: Reality.
Reality sets in, we become sweaty, winded, and get a stitch in our side. Toiling towards our bright and shiny goal becomes work. Our hearts are pounding, and we start to forget why we signed up for this run in the first place. It is at this point that it becomes easy to justify easing up on the throttle, taking a short cut, or giving up altogether.
When chasing big goals and dreams, I like to live by a “pennies in the jar” motto to combat this mentality and stay the course.
Here’s what I mean:
I began my career in the classroom, which I dearly loved. In pursuing learning after my degree, I developed a passion for project management. I knew that I wanted to work in project management, but that wasn’t all. I wanted to work in project management at a large organization. I wanted to manage projects of importance.
As ambitious as I was, I couldn’t make the quantum leap from classroom teacher to Fortune100 technology company overnight, right? I worked toward that goal one “penny” at a time. I didn’t magically wake up a project manager one morning. What I did do was wake up every day and decide to put a “penny in the jar” towards my goal.
Practice test questions in the evening - clink goes the penny into the jar.
Phone calls with my mentor - clink again.
Completing one online learning module at a time - clink.
Applications, exams, interviews, - clink, clink, clink.
Each of those actions were micro-investments towards the greater goal. Each day I put a “penny” into the “jar.” A jar that I hoped would one day crack open and “pay off” in the form of the goal that I was pursuing.
This is not a get rich quick investment I’m selling; I’ll shoot straight with you and tell you that putting pennies into the goal jar takes T-I-M-E, time. I’ve heard from others that “I would like to do that, but it would take so long!” Pursuing that degree? It will take time. Learning a new skill? That will take time. Putting in the work to pursue a promotion? That will take time. Growing a garden? That will take time.
Here’s the thing about time, whether we sit idly as couch potatoes or whether we invest in ourselves, time is going to pass anyway!
The years will come and go. Your degree or higher education may take two, four, six years. The years are going to come and go anyway! There are two options for you at the end of those years: you can be closer to your goal than you are today, or you can stay where you are.
It may take weeks and months for your garden to grow, but you can choose to cultivate the soil and plant the seeds today, or you can lament that it will take too much time to grow. The first option will put you closer to a delicious homegrown garden salad, and the latter will leave you in the same place you are today...lettuce-less.
Which would you prefer?
Today I have different goals than I did five years ago or ten years ago. I have new dreams. But I know where I want to go. I know the direction towards which I am moving. And though it will take time, each day, I can put pennies into my jar. I can choose to feel discouraged about how long the pursuit of my dreams may take, or I can make the purposeful choice to take small steps, make small investments in the right direction today.