Quote by Barbara Smith

Let me reiterate, our goals are stars to steer by, not stick with which to beat ourselves. The goals you have for yourself might be lofty, maybe they are realistic and maybe they are not.

Goals are important to have as they provide us a direction and roadmap for where we want to go. However, too often I find that people use these goals to beat themselves up if they are not achieved fast enough. But I think the thing that truly matters is if you are making progress. Everyone’s timeline is different and in my experience people underestimate or discount the variety of stressors and complicating factors that are contributing to the speed at which they achieve their goals.

So be kind to yourself, and Let the stars be your guide.

Barbara Smith is a Black lesbian feminist, author, scholar and teacher and is credited with sustaining Black Feminism in the US.