"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

I had a moment yesterday where I felt like I was talking out of both sides of my mouth.  We had a training class titled "Finding Passion in your Work!" and I was talking about setting goals as a leader.

Here was my statement:  I truly believe that you MUST set Goals for yourself in order to be a successful leader.  I think that departments must set goals, and jurisdictions must set goals, and cities should set goals, and YOU must have goals.

But then I also believe in the verse above, which reminds us to just focus on today.  Tomorrow's problems will be here tomorrow, and you will be a lot happier and a lot less worried if you just focus on today. 

I eventually justified the perceived dichotomy by reminding myself that the verse is talking more about WORRY and less about GOALS. 

Leaders without goals become stagnant individuals.  They continue to do it the same way every day because (everyone say it together), "...that is the way we have always done it."  If you plan your day by just showing up to work and putting out fires, then your team will do the same, and you will find yourself never moving forward.

Here are some action items for this week

• Take time to set professional goals.  Where do you see yourself in 2-4 years?  What job do you want?  What will it take for you to get there?  Take time to visualize the future, and then have that conversation with your manager.  If YOUR leader does not know what your goals are, how they can help you achieve them?

• Take time to set personal goals.  Do you want to run a marathon?  Do you want to learn to play the piano?  Do you want to volunteer more in the community?  Whatever it is, write it down!  A recent class participant said that "when it is in your mind, it is just words.  But when you put it on paper, it becomes actionable, and you then feel commited to it."  I thought that was a great point...

• Do not WORRY about tomorrow, but always be THINKING about tomorrow.  True leaders are forward-thinking, and your employees and customers need you to be a visionary.

Go out and set  some goals this week!