What Is "The Goal"?

I've been on a reading tear lately. After taking a year to finish my Winston Churchill book, I've ripped through a couple of business books and a personal growth book.

The business book that I'm finishing now is called "The Goal".

The book has really captivated my thought processes, as I find myself looking at work problems differently.

Tonight I was thinking about how this would be an incredible book to discuss with my step-dad, Duane.

Duane was a through and through assembly plant guy. Although my dad and I would have had an interesting conversation about "The Goal", I think the discussions I'd have with Duane would be more fulfilling.

Looking at "The Goal", and my job, I wonder sometimes what the hell I am doing at my company. I still feel that I am there for a greater good, but I am really starting to wonder if it's got anything to do with the job itself. Is it possible that I am supposed to be there to impact people on a personal level, and not to improve the work that we do?

All I know is that I have really enjoyed learning all of the things I've been learning - from the alternative energy class, to economics, to proposal writing, to the beginnings of WWII... from all that I've learned about myself, and everything else...

It's been good stuff.

I simply wish that I could share it with the influential men in my life - Duane, Jim, and George. Let's meet for coffee in my dreams.