Lesson 16: Goal-setting, Part 1, The Perception of Time
You have been thinking about the differences between your job and your calling.
Your calling is the most important thing you can do in which you would be most difficult to replace.
Your job puts food on the table . . . and probably finances your calling, since nobody else will — which is why you would be so difficult to replace.
Here is a 5-minute talk on the difference between your résumé and your eulogy, which you will not be around to hear.
The eulogy is your calling. The résumé is your job.
Your goals had better reflect your understanding of this difference. In working on identifying your goals, you must make it clear to yourself what your priorities are. These priorities must reflect your assessment of the importance of your job vs. your calling.
The information I presented in the previous week made it clear that software and robots will fill routine jobs initially, and then not-so-routine jobs. If your training enables you to do only routine jobs, you will find the competition frightening. It will not end. It will accelerate.
You must develop skills that are not routine. These can be low-value skills, such as changing a bedpan, or they can be high-value skills, such as selling anything on commission. In short, either your job pays so little that it is not worth buying a robot to replace you, or else your job is so specialized that there is no robot that can replace you. Take your pick.
I hope you are motivated to train for the second type of job.
I recommend a job that trains you to run a business. A sales job in a fast-growing local business is idea as a first job after graduation from college. You have already read a book on how to be a success as a salesman.
I recommend graduating from college at age 18. Take CLEP, DSST, and AP exams. Take a degree through distance learning. This is what RPC instructor Bradley Fish did.
If you can be hired as an entry-level apprentice in a fast-growing local business before you turn 18, take advantage of this opportunity. Keep your eyes wide open. Learn every aspect of the business that you can.
Now, back to goal-setting.
Reading assignments:
1. Reasons to set goals. Access here.
2. Here is a warning. You will often read about a study of goal-setting by Harvard students or Yale students. It’s a myth. Click here.
3. Don’t go overboard. Be sensible. Be specific. Access the article here.
4. Write down your goals. To know why, click here
Michael Hyatt is an old friend, going back to 1982. He was for years the head of a large book publishing firm, Thomas Nelson Sons. It was bought by the world’s biggest publishing empire, Rupert Murdoch. Hyatt is now in non-retirement. His site is among the most popular on the Web on career tools and strategies. You should read it regularly from now on. It will help you to succeed, no matter what you decide to do with your life.
In Part 5, I will provide a goal-setting sheet. In order to motivate you to fill it in, I am going to try to persuade you for the next four days.
Why? Because at the end of Business II, you will know how to start a business. If it is successful, you will be tempted to get sidetracked from your life’s calling. Don’t allow this.
Your business must be the support tool for your calling, unless your business is your calling. Make sure. Early.