_Pexels.

---

I found an interesting article on goal-setting by James clear the other day and i enjoyed reading it, especially one of the subheadings of the article titled Rudders and Oars. Who knew a small boat could be used to illustrate the importance of goal-setting and the resoluteness of sticking to a plan? I didn't.

So, Rudders. They're mostly used in machines/ technology that involves the control of the pressure and flow of fluids. In a boat, a rudder looks like a flat board-like 'thing' mostly placed underneath the boat at the back. The rudder works by deflecting water flow to control the direction of the boat. When the helmsman—the person steering, turns the rudder, the water strikes it with increased force on one side, decreased force on the other. The rudder moves in the direction of lower pressure.

This post was brought to you in conjunction with our partners <a and celeb examiner

It must have some sorta gear mechanism to it. Hence, it's simple to visualize. The helmsman turns the steering wheel of the boat right, the rudder turns left and the boat tends to move right. And vice versa.

From the look of things, it's really not a good boat without a rudder because it helps set the direction. Your goals can be likened to the rudder on a boat. Goals help you know where you're headed and without goals, it could be really hard getting anything done (whether short or long term) because you just roll with the moments. Goals help you strategize, plan and commit.

There's also another important thing James mentioned. The Oar. You know, the lengthy wooden stick used to row row row the boat gently down the sea? Yup, that Oar. In a small boat without an engine, what is a rudder without an Oar? Similarly, what are goals without work?

It's important not to not get things mixed up. The metaphor of the Rudder and the Oar helps us understand the difference between goal setting and the process of achieving. Without putting in progressive steps towards achieving a goal, it just sits there and isn't any good to you or anyone. Just like they say it; An idea will always be an idea unless its being acted upon and brought into a finished work.

So, this one was pretty simple because i think it's a topic we've heard one too many times. Plans help you know what you want and where you're headed. Work makes you execute those plans and eventually achieve the goals. There is no substitute for hard work, after all.

^{Plan and work...
Thanks for reading.}