Why Achieving your Goals isn't Important

It’s easy to get down on oneself for not accomplishing what we set out to do. Followthrough is important, but there is also something to be said for having faith - that in each and every experience, there is value, even if the experience appears superficially as “failure”.

It’s not always about accomplishing an initial goal. It’s a nice incentive to get one moving in a direction. But it’s really this movement that gifts us with the opportunity of a new perspective. Sometimes it's the direction over the destination that serves. What might we discover from a new viewing angle?

I can speak from experience. I seek out a certain degree or relationship or job… and it doesn’t work out. BUT I’m in a new spot from which I’ve found a new passion or a person or education that I would have not otherwise been exposed to.

Some of us will get stuck however, when we hold on to that first lilikoi. When we don’t shift our gaze to see what else is around and/or we dwell on what we don’t have. We have to give up that first dream, often meaning letting go of what our ego wants.

I find it so valuable to have self check-ins. “Is this relationship still serving me? Does this career path still feel aligned with my authentic self?” This often results in accepting that I have changed and that’s why this is no longer working for me.

I also appreciate goals for the movement that they give us. Our movement is our stability. Just like riding a two wheeler bicycle, with it we are steady, without it we fall. It gives us structure - a framework to exercise within, play and develop muscles.

It’s also similar to in yoga how we have drishti - we look to a fixed point to focus our gaze before moving into a posture. It helps one hold their balance and therefore move deeper into the pose - facilitating the development of flexibility and strength.

Yes, work hard, pursue your interests. AND whenever something doesn’t work, watch your criticism (of yourself and the situation). Let it go. I would even challenge you to then find your gratitude, however it’s often not apparent right away. Give it time though, and the gifts will be revealed.

In the meantime continue to check in with yourself and trust that the universe is on your side :)