Getting Real About Goals

I have some amazing friends with amazing careers. Among them:

• Assistant professor at a Big 12 university
• Former press secretary for a senator and aircraft manufacturer communications professional
• Former communications staffer for a national livestock organization
• Waterpark marketing director
• The Chicago lawyer, recruiter, financial analyst and CPA (4 family members)
• Small business owners
• Master's of theology students
• Vegas event and wedding planner

Of course, this is just a short list, as I could go on and on and on and ... But wow. These folks are not only fantastic people, but they're very accomplished professionals.

Even though I love them all so much and I'm extremely proud of all that they have achieved, it's easy to let myself become intimidated by their greatness. After all, I've barely strayed an hour from my hometown -- especially in comparison to these folks. During my job hunt, I became even more painfully aware that my decision to enjoy the perks of a more rural and small-town life has definitely been at the expense of far more limited career choices. It's been quite a challenge to sift through the available positions for ones that even slightly match up with my goals. I'm lucky to have finally found one.

Living here was a decision Cody and I made together, and we're usually quite confident that we're in the right place. But sometimes it's hard to deal with the emotions I experience when I hear about the wonderful things my friends are doing. I used to think it was jealousy, but when I consider how much I love these people, I know that's not the case. It's more like a yearning to achieve my own goals, maybe even an inspiration ... I so easily forget that they can be accomplished right here, right now.

It's been so tempting to identify success as having an important-sounding title and living in some kind of exciting location. I've often fretted about not being as "successful" as my friends and peers, simply because I'm in normal old Manhattan and I haven't felt that my positions were all that important. I know that's totally untrue, but sometimes these thoughts just invade my mind and I can't shake them. I throw myself a little pity party. Which gets me where? Nowhere.

It's a real task to remind myself that these were my choices, and the choices my friends have made are theirs. By choosing to stay in one location, I made the decision to narrow my choices from the whole wide world of careers. After all, if a fancy title in a fun city was what I felt was truly important in life, I could definitely make that happen. But what little wisdom I do have tells me that even though it's enticing, it won't bring me true happiness.

Even though I mope sometimes, I have friends who would kill to be in my shoes -- working on campus, living in the beautiful hills outside of Manhattan, close to family and home, married to a wonderful man with the most infectious sense of humor, two wonderful dogs, the list goes on and on. Man, I've sure got it good. I'm so thankful for that when I can actually clear my head to soak it all in.

I think what it really comes down to is not being very clear about my goals -- because in all actuality, I've achieved so many of them so far. They may be a little different than I envisioned when I graduated from K-State, as there have been plenty of detours and potholes along the way. But there's a huge lesson of balance to be learned here. I haven't mastered it, but I'm working on it.

I don't need to get a "better" job or move away to be successful. I can be successful right here, right now. Sometimes, I recognize that I already am.

Kudos to all my friends who have pursued their dreams! I'm so incredibly proud of you and you inspire me!