How to Pursue Goals that Matter
Pursuing goals that truly matter—not just ones that sound impressive or meet others' expectations—starts with knowing yourself and being honest about what you want from life. Here’s a grounded, step-by-step way to find and pursue meaningful goals:
1. Define What "Matters" to You
Ask yourself:
What gives me energy?
What would I regret not doing in 5 or 10 years?
When do I feel most “myself”?
Meaningful goals often reflect:
Your values (e.g. creativity, freedom, connection)
Your strengths (what you’re good at and enjoy)
Your purpose (what impact you want to have)
2. Set Goals with Soul, Not Just Structure
Instead of only SMART goals (specific, measurable…), also think:
Is this goal authentic—does it reflect who I am?
Is it aligned with the life I want to create?
Will the process grow me, even if I fail?
Example:
"I want to write a book" → Why? To express a message that matters? To inspire others? To explore my own story?
3. Break Big Dreams into Clear, Small Steps
Start with the vision (where you want to go)
Reverse-engineer into milestones
Then identify weekly or even daily actions
Big goals = consistent small moves + patience.
4. Make It Sustainable
Block time on your calendar—protect it like you would a meeting.
Build systems, not willpower (e.g. accountability partners, routines).
Know your “why” so it fuels you when motivation dips.
5. Expect (and Normalize) Setbacks
Failure = data. What didn’t work? What might?
Don’t let perfectionism stop progress.
Celebrate progress, not just results.
6. Review and Reflect Regularly
Ask:
Am I still excited about this?
Is this goal still meaningful, or do I need to pivot?
What have I learned so far?
Your goals can evolve as you grow—and that’s a good thing.
7. Enjoy the Process
If the journey itself feels hollow or draining, it might not be the right goal. Meaningful goals often feel hard but worthwhile. You should feel like you're becoming more yourself along the way.