Ignite: The True Goal Principle
We’re told to aim high, dream big. We set ambitious goals—get the promotion, sell the company, win the medal. But when the thrill fades, we often ask, why doesn’t this feel as good as I thought it would?
Maybe it’s because the real target isn’t the achievement itself; it’s the feeling we think it will give us: pride, respect, confidence, or a little more peace. That’s the true goal.
When we understand that, things shift. We become able to spot those feelings in everyday actions, not just in big wins. Respect? That’s something we can earn each day through grit and honesty. Pride? That’s in finishing the run, closing out a project, pushing hard when no one’s watching. Achieving the true goal isn’t about waiting for one grand moment at the end; it’s about cultivating those feelings daily and continuously deciding which fill our cups the most.
Next time you set a goal, dig deeper. Define the true goal, and look for ways to feel it every day. It’s closer than you think.
- Steve
P.S.—to go deeper on how to apply this to your life and work, read the Integrate the Concept article,
Beyond Platitudes: How True Goals Bring Real Satisfaction and Success to Ambition
