Normal People Set Goals, Exceptional People Live With Purpose

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

Most people are shortsighted.

Why? Firstly, because it’s in our nature, as human beings, to want to save energy, and live in pleasures.

Secondly, knowing this, we grow up in a world where instant gratification is used to sell us the idealistic life.

In fewer words, we are conditioned to be shortsighted.

Despite this shortsightedness however, we all want to express ourselves and create things that are aligned with who we are. We all have dreams and aspirations.

Despite our repetitive lives filled with toys, we all yearn for a path with meaning.

Unfortunately, such a path remains a distant dream for most. Why? Because we’re taught to set selfish goals, not harmonious ones.

When most people are asked, what would like to accomplish this year? Most say:

• I’d like to lose ten pounds
• I’d like to make more money
• I’d like to find a romantic partner

And so on.

While such goals have nothing “wrong” to them, the way we say it does.

When we make a goal only about ourselves, without going deeper within ourselves — the reasons why we have such a goal in the first place — those goals remain dreams.

On the other hand, if we were to dig deeper, we would soon realize that we have subtler drives behind the goals we take for granted. 

• Perhaps we want to lose ten pounds for health reasons but also to inspire those around us so that they feel confident to do the same
• Perhaps we want to make money to break our limiting beliefs and become an example for others
• Perhaps we want to find a romantic partner, not only for sex or occasional cuddling, but to learn about love and what it means to care for another human being

It’s interesting to note that digging deeper into ourselves always reveals that what we want to achieve is related to other people.

It seems that an unconscious level, we know that Life is about wholeness, about coming together, and living in harmony as a whole.

So instead of setting goals that are only about us, it doesn’t work unless we’re truly selfish by the way; setting goals that have for deeper purpose to positively impact the lives of others is healthier.

Unless what we do has a higher purpose, we don’t have the drive to keep going. We have to know why we do what we do.

And once we nailed down exactly why we want to accomplish something — everything we do, every single day, at every single instant, goes into making that goal happen.

Suddenly, we embody our purpose. Our actions, thoughts and emotions all get into alignment with that purpose. We act as an integrated being. And with this integration, our power to create increases.

Here’s the funny thing too.

When we are clear about what we want to accomplish, and why — we aren’t as shortsighted as we usually are. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter how long it takes, what does is the daily, loyal, bittersweet work.

We do it because it is aligned with our higher purpose. We do it because what we are seemingly trying to make happen is contained within a bigger purpose — a purpose that is harmonious, one that is about us, obviously, but about others too.

Whatever you want to accomplish. Know that whatever you’re doing, at any given time, is always adding something to your goal’s “balance.” And that with time, whether “good” or “bad,” results show up.

You are your signature. You are your brand. Everything you do expresses those values that are yours.

Don’t underestimate what you can make happen. Believe in yourself. All those big things that impress you today have been built by human beings just like you. They had a purpose. And so do you. Dig within.

As a final note.

If you’ve been meditating, using affirmations and thinking positively for a while now, without necessarily integrating spiritual truths at a soul level even though you understand them intellectually — I’ve written a book to help you understand the main blocks to true spiritual growth, and how to overcome them. I’m sure you’re tired of “knowing” about God because you can’t wait to experience God. That’s what we explore in Spiritual Transition. Give the book a look here.