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The title may sound negative at first, but I bet you'll feel encouraged after reading it.
We humans have a certain weakness for goals. Goals not only sound motivating, they also show that we know what we want. We are only too happy to measure our success by them,
whether at work or in our private lives.
“If you don't have goals, you're wasting your time.”
“If you don't achieve your goals, you don't have enough discipline.”
There are many such beliefs floating around in our society. And they are not entirely wrong, because if you know where you want to go, you can take the right path. They provide
important orientation and direction for our actions.
The only question is: what if your goals can never be achieved?
We humans tend to set ourselves goals that are unattainable. For example, such a goal could be that we work on ourselves so that we are satisfied with ourselves at some point.
That we dedicate ourselves to spirituality so that we are always happy. That we have a highly respected job so that people recognize us.
There are countless examples of this, where we set ourselves goals with a desired outcome that can never actually be achieved. We are far too quick to start climbing ladders
without considering whether it is really what we want and whether we will ever reach the top.
If we then reach our goal and realize that it doesn't give us the feeling we want, it pulls us down. We are plagued by self-doubt, we are frustrated, or we immediately look for
the next goal with the thought: “But this time!”
Alternatively, we find ourselves in a never-ending process of searching and struggling with no end in sight. Which in the long run is just as frustrating and draining as chasing
after one goal after the next.
What can we do about it?
The important thing is to know: Whatever you do - as long as you are a little further on than before, it is a success. You don't have to have reached a goal or an end to feel good
about what you are doing. Our intention and the direction we are going in is far more important than where we are “at the end” - before we die?
Basically, it's about the old adage: the journey is the destination. Or, as I like to say: take a path that you love. A path that feels right for you.
The experiences you gain along the way; the visions that drive you; the openness and receptivity to the “positive” as well as the “negative” things you will encounter; these are
the things that have a greater impact on you, your well-being and also your environment.
Goals cloud our perception of what truly brings us joy.
That's why I invite you to answer a few questions for yourself:
- What would you do differently from today if you knew that there was no way you would achieve your goals? Which ones would remain, which ones would be dropped?
- The goals that remain - why? What meaning does it have for you?
The answers to these questions will lead you to what brings you the most joy, fun and meaning in life. And funnily enough, that will probably be exactly what you do
best!
Take the questions and your individual answers to hand if you are looking for more satisfaction in life. Take the inspiration to maybe do things differently than you've done
before - who knows what other fun you might discover. :-)