To Aim vs. To Strive

Everyone sets goals for themselves; it can be as small as getting your work done early or as big as becoming valedictorian. Either way, those goals are there for a reason and a purpose. Yet, sometimes we need to catch up on what those goals require. There’s a difference between aiming for something and striving to make it happen. When we say we’re aiming toward something, we don’t always strive toward them. The question is: is it enough to just aim?

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Welcome back! Today’s topic is all about excuses. This isn’t a particularly difficult topic, but you would be surprised by how many people need this, including myself. In such an advancing world, people have millions of things they want or need to accomplish. Every day, new improvements and innovations are just waiting to be discovered. Behind every innovation, a team of hundreds of people worked to lift it off the ground.  

I mean, in my case, I don’t remember the last time I just went to school with nothing to prepare for or turn in (that’s a little sad, now that I think about it)! But the thing is, everyone’s so busy. We’ve got things to do, and places to be. But nothing will ever happen if we just sit there and say, “I will…”

Now, I know that we’ve all set goals and deadlines that we just couldn’t reach, and that isn’t something to be disappointed about. It’s happened to everyone! But what’s not acceptable is if you did nothing in preparation for those goals. Think of it this way: If we want to shoot an arrow to hit the bulls-eye, it doesn’t do anything to just declare you will aim for it; the only way people will believe you is if you put the work in to make it happen.

This shouldn’t be new or original for people to hear. It’s just the way of things! I mean, even Elon Musk didn’t discover a way to make people’s goals come true with the click of a button! That’s because there is no other way. Just like Walt Disney said, “Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done right.”

Right about now is where the excuses begin. I know I know, sometimes things come up and roadblocks come in. But there’s a limit to every excuse. I’m not nearly arrogant enough to say that I’ve never made up excuses before (even if I’m terrible at them), yet I know when it’s truly my fault.

Yesterday, I had a violin lesson, and I was tasked to play an excerpt from a sonata that I was supposed to have practiced, yet I didn’t know a single note. During the whole week, I was just so stumped with homework and extracurriculars, that I barely had any shut-eye! There was no way I would’ve risked the little sleep I got for just practicing violin. Before my class, I took some advice from a friend, and she told me to not give my teacher excuses because they won’t do anything. No sob stories and elaborate recollections; just, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t get to practice this week.” It’s my fault I didn’t practice, and it was my responsibility to make time for it even when there wasn’t any. I was skeptical about going along with what my friend suggested, but I followed through regardless.

Integrity does go a long way. Yes, it isn’t fun at the time, but it’s an act of character, and it shows respect for yourself and your superiors. It’s funny how easy it is to give random excuses that might not even be true, yet it’s so hard to say one, true, sentence. Excuses won’t compensate for your mistakes, and they won’t turn back time. So what’s the point in wasting any now after all is said and done?

Coming back, there will always be roadblocks and difficulties when you set your mind on something. But that shouldn’t stop you from working as hard as you can to reach that goal. Strive toward something, don’t just aim. You only have so much time; you can either use it all up with just plain, lifeless deadlines and excuses, or you can try to make those goals a tangible reality. What will you choose?

What Do You Think?

Like I said before, everyone has set goals for themselves, made excuses, and even lied a few times. It’s not worth it to even try to deny it! But, let’s take a trip down Memory Lane and revisit some of those times!

• Did you have goals that feel unrealistic now but seemed doable in the past?

• What were the best and the worst excuses that you’ve made in the past to get out of a situation?

• Did you ever lie to your parents or your teacher about something? Why? Did you ever end up telling the truth to them?