The Contented Cow Blog

Building Workplaces That Work

There’s something to be said for setting goals. I’ve set a lot of goals that I didn’t make, but one goal I’ve been relentless in pursuing.

When I was 30, I worked out that I had visited 30 states in the U.S. So I set a goal to visit all 50 states by the time I turned 50. With that milestone clearly in sight, I arrived yesterday in state #49 for me – North Dakota. Business and personal travel had taken me to the other 48 over the years, but never to North Dakota. So, on the way from the convention of the National Speakers Association in San Diego, where I was an attendee, to the convention of APPA (formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators) in Baltimore, where I’ll be speaking on Monday, I decided to stop off in Fargo for a couple of days.

I don’t know what your impression is of Fargo, but I’d have to say it’s been sold short. What a cool place! Full of interesting shops and restaurants, and one of the best boutique hotels I’ve ever stayed in, the Donaldson.

I’m not the only one in town pursuing a goal. I met a couple, Larry and Mary, who are bicycling from their home near Boston, to Seattle. I enjoyed a great dinner at an Italian Restaurant with these total strangers, who are near the midpoint of their journey.

Got any goals you’ve set your sights on? Goals don’t just happen naturally (otherwise they’d be called destinations, not goals.) Whatever your goal, don’t expect it to just happen. Make plans, and just do it.

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