“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” — Henry David Thoreau

Achieving a goal is not easy. Particularly so for goals that are BHAG (Big, Hairy, and Audacious Goals.)  It requires a lot of great attributes to achieve your biggest goals – vision, plan, perseverance, adaptability, and singular focus. Of course, despite all such great characteristics one may still underperform or fail.

However, let’s assume that you can reach the pinnacle and achieve your goals, thanks to all the hard work and smarts.  Will you become a better person for all the trials and tribulations? Will you achieve character growth along with the material aspects of the goal?

What you become by achieving your goals?

Or will you be one of those people who abandon the very principles and perspectives that got you where you are now? Will you let success go to your head? Will the pride of your accomplishment diminish the value of your character? Will your embrace of name, fame, and fortune obscure your true self?

We all have been a witness to how some people change when they get that high-flying job, or a fancy house, or a German convertible.  Arrogance tends to be the dominant attribute much to the detriment of self-awareness and egalitarian attitude.

However, some people become better with the experiences. They emerge on the other side as a better version of themselves.  Their values won’t change because of the size of the wallet. Their attitudes won’t change because of the high altitude.  They will not sacrifice their principles because of the profits.

To such people reaching their highest aspiration tends to bring out the best and hence allow them to share the joys of their achievement with family and friends.

If all you crave from reaching the pinnacle is the material rewards and adulation your wallet may be full but the soul rather empty.

So, focus on who you will become as much as what you will receive.   Agree?