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Going for the Gold

Going for the Gold

Going for the Gold

My friend Julie posted her goal of someday working on the Olympics on Facebook the other day. It’s a great goal—and one I am sure she’ll accomplish. A young superstar, Julie started as an intern when I still owned Tribble Creative Group, and I later hired her to work with me at the Democratic National Convention. She went on to work the Inauguration—all before graduating college. Most event planners would swoon over her resume, regardless of her age.

When I first started my business, my short-term goal was to make enough money to pay the rent and buy cat food (for my cat, not for me). My long-term goal was to plan the SuperBowl half-time show. I thought being the master of those 12 minutes while the world was watching would be the ultimate ballyhoo of my career.

 

I never accomplished that goal—not because I gave up, but because my goals changed over the years. While I have a great deal of respect for the creative minds and talented technicians who pull off these mega-events, I think I’ll die happy without ever setting foot on the 50-yard line while Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers serenade 100 million people. (Now, the Olympics, I must admit, would still be pretty cool.)

Winner girl holding ski against the sky.

For now, however, I’ve moved on to a different place—writing, speaking, and providing communications guidance to a handful of meaningful clients. I’m focused more on filling up my soul than filling up the stands.

The goals you set for yourself may be big—like planning the Olympics—or relatively modest—like meeting your daily word count. Accomplishing them may be very public or known to no one but you. But whatever they are, each one you achieve is like winning the Gold.

[And, hey, Julie—if you’re reading this—someday you can hire me to help you with the Olympics Games.]