Goals

Let's kick off the new year with a conversation about goals.

Here are a few questions we will consider during this evening:

• what do you think of new year resolutions?
• how goal-oriented are you? what are some of your goals?
• how do you stay motivated to work on your goals? what's standing in the way?
• how do you balance being goal-oriented vs living in the moment, and being spontaneous?
• should we set goals for activities such as reading, or should we instead focus on simply doing these activities we enjoy without setting goals?

If you've never participated before, here's what to expect:

• 2 hours of deep, interesting conversations in a respectful environment that will elevate your spirit and give you new ideas for life, work or relationships
• a supportive group of people sharing their own unique experiences and viewpoints, and encouraging you to do the same
• a rich mix of newcomers and regulars from different countries and cultures for a broad diversity of opinions and experiences
• the cafe is really small, so no problem to find us, it's the only big table when you enter

Please remember the existing rules of this group:

• DO listen respecfully. DON'T interrupt others.
• DO show up with a learning mindset. DON'T try to win an argument.
• DO show curiosity towards other people experiences and ideas. DON'T project judgement and blame.
• DO make yourself fully present. DON'T pull out your phone during the conversation.

Food for thought

Here are a few quotes that argue for being more goal-oriented:

• "For nothing should be done without an end in view." - Marcus Aurelius (stoicism)
• "If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” - Seneca (stoicism)
• "A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at." – Bruce Lee
• "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." –C.S. Lewis
• "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." –Les Brown

And here are some other quotes that argue for being less goal-oriented:

• "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment" - Buddha
• "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Laozi (Taoism)
• "We cannot control external events, but we can control how we respond to them." - Epictetus (stoicism)
• “No matter how many plans you make or how much in control you are, life is always winging it.” Carroll Bryant
• "You can devise all the plans in the world, but if you don’t welcome spontaneity; you will just disappoint yourself.” Abigail Biddinger