Maybe it’s the fact that I tend to associate every philosophical discourse to something I can actually relate with. Or maybe it is just that I am so bored sometimes, that I start to notice the weirdest connections in the most unlikely places. Maybe it’s both. I can’t say for sure. But as I sat at that diner today gorging on that vegetarian pizza something struck me as very odd. Now before I go on, some background here. I, about once a month, visit this ‘all you can eat’ pizzeria on my way to the Indian groceries in the city. While the food is good and comes at a standard price, there is one little oddity that always has me pondering. Ordinarily if I were to go to a regular restaurant and order a pizza, then I see myself lapping up every single slice of a large pizza without any leftovers along with a large coke! Why is this odd? Because, in this earlier mentioned ‘all you can eat’ diner I find myself struggling to go past six small slices! I have tested it each time and somehow, the mind refuses to acknowledge that in a different circumstance, I can easily down 10 slices without a problem as long as I can see them all at once.
This got me thinking. Is it because there is no limit to how much I can eat – ergo meaning, ‘no goal’ – that I find myself stopping at six? And in other cases when there is 10 slices, I have a goal to meet? And hence I manage to eat them all? I don’t know. Come to think of it, the same is true with other things too. Imagine having to go to a mall or a bazaar without any goal in mind. Chances are you will spend a few hours there and end up buying nothing important. Same case, if you go with maybe a list of things to look at, then you find yourself not only buying the stuff you need but also in good time! How about shopping at a supermarket when you go there without a list? Don’t you always buy 10 more things you never thought you would? And don’t you find yourself bringing it home and wondering ‘God…why did I buy this?’ and never using it ever?
I don’t know. Maybe all this means nothing. But today as I left the diner having devoured six small slices and feeling very full, I wondered if next time I should try putting 10 slices at once on the plate instead of having to eat three at a time. But then…maybe that won’t look too good, would it? So I guess then it’s settled. Goals do matter regardless of its purpose. Even if it means just ‘lunch’. What do you think?
..ShaKri..
..ShaKri..
4 reflections:
I would like to mention another term here: “objectives”. In this pizza example, going to a restaurant to eat pizza is a goal. But having known the fact that a 10 slice of pizza is for a standard prize and has to be enjoyed is an objective. Going for shopping is a goal but having a list of essential things to be bought becomes objectives. Hence, utilization of the time and the money. So when the objectives are clear and precise, the goals that have been set would come as a complementary in return. Ending up buying 10 more things at a supermarket without a list would turn out to be a wrong goal. Since the objectives were not set earlier. Similarly having set no objectives and casually visiting a pizzeria might fill the stomach but may not be satisfying.
I conclude that Goals are abstract; it is the purpose towards which an endeavor is directed. While the objectives are concrete, actions intended to attain or accomplish a particular task. In order to achieve a goal, Objectives have to be concrete and should be set prior to the actions.
So next time when you set a goal of having pizza, set an objective of having 10 slices either at the pizzeria or at a restaurant. And never mind piling up 10 slices on your plate at once. Because when an objective has to be met, external factors should be considered less. :D hehehe
Madhura.
@Madhura
Oh wow! I didn't imagine someone would actually post something this coherent for my seemingly random rant! :) Well done! And indeed- goals and objectives are different depending on the context they are used in. Your point is well taken, Madhu. Thanks for taking the time for this and helping me get that much needed explanation! :)
And yes - will ensure I don't stuff my plate with 10 slices next time! :D
Cheers,
SK
I didn't mean to say it was a random rant. I really liked the way you related the facts to something of a sort of philosophical disclosures. I just pondered over it and came out with an explanation which could possibly support my points.
Again, Goals and objectives are not completly different but there are differences among them. Goals are broader and objectives are narrow. That's it. Hope I am clear. :) Madhura.
@Madhura
Oh absolutely! I meant the word 'rant' in a more nonsensical tone since what I was wondering about came from such an unexpected quarters is all. Thanks again for the follow up clarity. Always appreciated.
Cheers,
SK
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