The importance of Lakshya

Goals are crucial in shaping our lives, and to provide direction and purpose to our action. Whether personal, professional or in Rotary, setting goals help us prioritise our time and resources, and focus our efforts towards achieving the desired outcome. Without goals, we may find ourselves wander aimlessly, lacking motivation and a sense of purpose.

As a teenager, I struggled with time management and often procrastinated on essential tasks. It wasn’t until I started setting specific goals that I saw real progress in my academic and personal life. I could break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, making them less daunting and easier to complete. In my professional life too, setting goals has helped me focus on what matters most.

Goals give you direction in life and provide clarity, purpose and motivation to pursue what truly matters. It motivates and aligns you with your values, beliefs, passions and interests, making you enthusiastic, engaged and committed to achieving them. It gives you a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction when accomplished, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.

SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals help individuals realise what they want to achieve and to measure progress. Goals help develop resilience, give a sense of purpose, direction and control which can help you navigate difficult times and cope with adversity; they help you stay focused, optimistic and determined.

Goals enhance self-confidence and give you opportunities to learn new skills and develop competencies. Setting and achieving goals can help you overcome self-doubt, fear and insecurity, replacing them with a sense of empowerment and self-assurance. Goals can help individuals contribute to something greater than themselves — a cause, the community or a profession.

The recent Lakshya programme taught incoming leaders to focus and set meaningful goals for the coming Rotary year. The district assembly and many training events are happening in your districts. I urge you to plan perfectly. Think and act big. Our clubs are the souls of service. We are people of action; let us give a sense of security to the needy and underprivileged and make the world empowered and happy. Your focus in life will change someone’s focus forever.

Mahesh Kotbagi
RI Director, 2021–23