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In Service to Society 2/9/2009 9:11:45 AM
"All men seek one goal: success or happiness. The only way to achieve true success is to express yourself completely in service to society. First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal--a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends--wisdom, money, material and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end." Aristotle
This quote by Aristotle is both inspiring and humbling to me. How often do I get caught up in my own agenda and worry about how I might achieve my goals? Aristotle reminds me that I must first be in service to society. Nothing happens until I am meeting a need. I have found that when I am focusing on giving and lifting other people up, my own goals sort of click into place.
The other part of his quote reminds us that we need a practical ideal. Now I am one that encourages my clients to dream big. Yet part of that dreaming big-is to also be able to see and visualize your dream happening. If you can completely visualize every aspect of your dream-it becomes practical to you.
The "necessary means" to achieve a goal is often the point where people get bogged down and stuck. Here is where faith enters the picture. You may have no idea at this point where you will find the "necessary means", but if you keep your thoughts and actions moving towards the goal-those "necessary means" have a way of showing up. A friend may call, a past business associate enters the picture, and/or you stumble across an appropriate article that helps you gather the "necessary means".
Finally, Aristotle advises to "adjust all of your means to that end". This is the action phase. Do not get distracted from your goal. Use everything you have (energy, thoughts, resources) to move toward your goal.
Remember, this all began because you were first serving the needs of society.
Have a truly joy filled week.
Sheri Kaye Hoff
Life Coach
Author, Keys to Living Joyfully
www.lifeisjoyful.org
