365QOD- Day1064

Intermediate Steps

“What is your intermediate step?”- my question

Recently I talked with a person who was so focused on their goal that when I asked this question they looked stunned. Their response was, “ Why is that important?”  I almost fell over out of my chair.

I believe that identifying our end goal is very important.  BUT you can lose the war if you do not fight the small battles along the way.  To me the intermediate goals are the key.  These smaller objectives let you keep your forward momentum towards the goal.

When I asked this question I asked the person, for his goal, I was looking for him to identify one large intermediate step.  I do believe that a bunch of smaller steps is better than one big step but not always.  Sometimes one large intermediate objective is better.  When?

Consider someone interested in going to medical school.  She is still in high school and believes that being a doctor is her calling.  She is applying to different schools to get a basic science degree as the intermediate step.  But getting a basic science degree gets her almost nothing.  Those degrees are OK but do not provide a great intermediate step because they do not lead to great paying jobs.

What would happen if she would pursue a pharmacy degree?  She will walk out as a doctor of pharmacy within 6 years instead of 4.  BUT now you are a doctor already.  If you want to pursue an MD degree then the world is yours.  If you chose to continue towards the MD you can.  If you decide that you had enough of school you can get a great paying job. 

The point is that a great intermediate step could also be a great stopping point if need be.

Today’s question:

“Does a great intermediate step exist on your journey to your goal?”