After 28 days, we’re finally back in Bremerhaven from our most recent cruise—and I’d like to sum things up. There are people in this world (and on our ship) who just can’t be pleased. Their faces looked as if they’d just come straight from breaking rocks in a quarry. That’s why (y)our goal really makes all the difference.
If you’ve never been on a cruise, let me give you an idea of just how quarry-like this trip was: Your cabin gets cleaned twice a day. In the morning, you’re often greeted by a wild animal made out of towels, pillows, and blankets. At night, a lovingly placed piece of chocolate awaits you on your freshly turned-down bed. On top of that, there are at least seven food stations available during the day—and in some cases, all night long. I’ve lost count of the bars where you can get anything your heart desires, with or without alcohol.
The ship sailed to stunning destinations like Funchal, Lisbon, and the Azores. The weather was perfect in every port. There were two ice cream stations, a theatre, shops, a casino, a disco—and so much more. And over 900 amazing crew members gave their all to turn the trip into a feel-good experience for every single guest.
And for all this paradise-on-water, people paid thousands—tens of thousands—of euros. But here’s the question: What was their goal when they boarded the ship?
“Judy, let’s spend a lot of money to sail around the Atlantic islands for 28 days—and be grumpy every single day.” Say what?
You’re laughing. But seriously now: Had those guests had a clearer goal, their journey might not have felt so traumatic. Maybe some of them were trying to reenact the Passion of Christ—it was Easter, after all. But in that case, shouldn’t there have been a resurrection at some point? Well, maybe next time.
Back to my question: What was their goal when they set off on this trip?
I’m guessing they didn’t have one. At least not one that made them happier or more relaxed. I actually asked the guests that exact question during my first onboard talk:
“What is your goal for the end of this journey? What do you want to have more of when you disembark after 28 days?”
And after a moment’s thought, the answers were wonderfully diverse. From “I want to feel recharged” to “I want to experience new cultures” or “have a great time with my partner”—everything was there.
Now my question to you: If you’re clear on your goal—what kind of path do you need to take to actually reach it?
Let’s say your goal is to feel deeply relaxed by the end of the trip. Sounds great.
Now picture this: You’re at the restaurant. The person in front of you grabs the last schnitzel. Ugh. So you wait. And wait. Meanwhile, your fries are getting cold.
Option 1: “I get angry.”
Does that bring you closer to your goal of feeling deeply relaxed? No?
So what could you do differently?
- A) Eat the fries first and come back later for a fresh, hot schnitzel.
- B) Pick one of the other twenty main courses.
- C) Get to know the people in the schnitzel line.
…
Whichever option you choose, ask yourself:
Does this bring me closer to my goal?
Because only with a clear goal will you be able to make the best choices along the way.
Without a goal, you’re like a flag in the wind—blowing this way and that.
So take this idea with you into the week: When you look back at your final week in life—who or what do you want to have been? A more loving person? A more grateful person? A more joyful person? Depending on your answer, you can begin—right now—to make everyday decisions more easily and more mindfully.
Wishing you lots of joy with that.
