Fast Company offers an excellent article from Marshall Goldsmith on the differences between goals and the larger mission. The message? Don't get so focused on goals that you lose sight of the larger mission. Here's my favorite excerpt from this article.
The canyons of Wall Street are littered with victims of goal obsession. I asked one hard-driving deal maker, "Mike, why do you work all of the time?" He replied, "Why do you think? Do you think I love this place? I am working so hard because I want to make a lot of money!" I continued my inquiry, "Do you really need this much money?" "I do now," Mike grimaced. "I just got divorced for the third time. With three alimony checks every month, I am almost broke." "Why do you keep getting divorced?" I asked. The answer came out as a sad sigh. "All three wives kept complaining that I worked all the time. They have no idea how hard it is to make this much money!"
Greetings!
Thank you for referencing my Fast Company article “Goal 1, Mission 0” on your Blog. Please check out my new website, www.MarshallGoldsmithLibrary.com where I have decided to give away as much as I can. My online library is filled with articles, columns, interviews and videos to download, duplicate, send and share for FREE. If you or someone you know benefits from these materials, I will feel great!
Life is good.
Marshall
Posted by: Marshall Goldsmith | August 01, 2005 at 07:50 PM