Goals can be incredibly useful; they can propel us into exciting new opportunities and provide continual novelty in what might otherwise be considered periods of stagnation. They don’t serve us, however, if we allow for them to consume us to the point of always projecting into the future, and in doing so, missing out on the events and interactions of each day.
I’m sure everyone can think of an experience that seemingly perfectly fell together without any coordinated effort and yet had a tremendous lasting impact on the course of events to follow. They can come from the smallest details, so seemingly insignificant that we could’ve blinked and missed them. The most surprising – and I would argue, compelling – reason to give our conscious attention to the smallest moments of each day is that we never know where our big breaks will come from—which event will tip the lead domino into a transformational cascade of good fortune.
Considering that thinking of the future won’t bring our goals to fruition any sooner, we may as well settle into the events of each day and observe the events that arise. We can also do this with people by making a conscious effort to connect with those around us, even if we figure they won’t be in the picture long term. The mountain climber need not keep their eyes perpetually fixated on the summit; enjoyment will come from investing in the people they meet along the way. You’ll be no worse off and you’ll gain the opportunity for a potentially life-changing interaction – what’s to lose?