When we speak about success, we generally think of big achievements, and more specifically, those at professional level. Getting a diploma or a new job, a high paying client, being promoted, or assuring a major breakthrough for your company.
Having goals and achieving them is great. But let me ask you — how do such accomplishments truly make you feel?
I’ll never forget the time I worked toward my A-levels in school. For at least two years, they were my biggest focus and ambition. I couldn’t wait to reach that milestone, expecting that passing them would leave me feeling amazing, free, and truly accomplished.
I did pass with a pretty extraordinary result. Yet, the feelings I anticipated never came. I didn’t feel happy, fulfilled, or accomplished. Instead, I just felt relieved — not because I succeeded, but because I didn’t fail.
Looking back, I realized my goal had been driven by fear. I had set the bar incredibly high to prove my worth. It wasn’t a goal coming from passion or my heart — it was rooted in insecurity.
I don’t mean to say I should not have focused on passing my school diploma with a good result. We all do have “functional” goals that are essential for navigating life. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between these and deeper, more personal aspirations. Ultimately, it’s never really about the goal itself, but about the emotional impact that we are seeking.
The most meaningful goals are the ones that pull you, simply because they make you happy and fulfilled. Success is not just about reaching a goal; it’s also about the growth, satisfaction, and happiness you gain throughout the journey.
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”
— Rumi