Beyond the Build

Leadership

When to Hit the Pause Button

At some point in life, I feel like many of us are guilty of reaching that “got to have” goal we set for ourselves and then not hitting the “pause button” after we get there. Instead, we just set off chasing another goal. Sometimes it’s hard to stop and reflect on what has been accomplished, rejoice a bit and be grateful.

Years ago, I had a t-shirt I wore hiking that said something like, “The journey is the destination.” In other words, it’s not always about the goal itself, but the trail to get there. 

I sometimes think we would be happier and feel more content if our goals were not so firmly entrenched in our minds. Maybe we should focus on training our brains to be satisfied with the journey, and appreciate what we achieved along the way. Instead of fixating on what’s left to check off the list, take time to be thankful for what we have already attained.

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Merrill Stewart Jr.

Merrill Stewart is Founder and CEO of The Stewart/Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham.