What is your ultimate goal in life?

If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would not think twice and say: My ultimate goal in life is to graduate and find a job. To buy a house and a car; marry and have kids; have a successful career (or business). 

Now that I’ve matured and have a clearer picture of my purpose, I mull over the question again. What really is my life’s main goal?

The Checklist

When I was younger, I had the same checklist of goals as everybody else. And I have started fulfilling them as the years went by. 

As I accomplished these goals individually, I expected to feel absolutely satisfied. Yes, I was satisfied; however, it was just a momentary sense of accomplishment. I felt that something was still missing. 

What could it be?  

I used to believe that crossing out those goals in my checklist would lead me to a happy and contented life. But clearly, that wasn’t the case. 

The younger version of me was too focused on achieving those goals. I dedicated every waking hour to reaching them. I had this mindset that all the stress and every struggle would soon be over once I achieved my goal.

But;

After I landed a job, I started to wish I had a higher-paying one…

Once I moved into a house and did some living in it, I wanted to move to a different one…

Sometime after I bought a car, I wanted a better one…

And on and on.

Lesson Learned

I realized that after achieving my original goals, newer ones will replace them and that I will never run out of new goals to accomplish!

One of the lessons I learned when I embarked on this journey of positivity is this: we only live this life once, but we are eternal beings. So, we never completely accomplish our life goals – because once we achieve one of our goals, we will almost immediately wish for another one, and another, and another! If we are to really be happy in this lifetime, we need to find ways to be happy in the process of reaching our goals, whatever they are. 

When I focused too much on my goals, I missed out on life! I forgot to stop and smell the roses along the way while hustling and bustling – thinking that it was a waste of time and that there were more important things to do. The idea that reaching my goals would be the ultimate way to find happiness blinded me.

What does the Law of Attraction have to say about this?

We tend to believe that happiness lies on the summit of mount challenges– that we must conquer the mountain and get on the top to enjoy life. Well, it’s actually the other way around.

By the law of attraction, when we start being able to enjoy and be happy in the process, we attract the things that we want – because then we are energetically aligned with them and in the receiving mode.

And that was the missing piece I was looking for! 

When I decided to take things easy and enjoy life– I felt more at peace, content, and happy. Taking a step back was the much-needed break my soul was longing for!

Since life is a series of goals, the ultimate goal within these goals is to enjoy the process: 

But how?

Be flexible in your methods of achieving your goals

Let me share this here:

 “You never get it done, and you cannot get it wrong” – Abraham-Hicks.

We tend to be too strict when we become too obsessed with our goals, to the point where we pressure ourselves too much. We get stressed, frustrated, and extremely disappointed in ourselves. Being flexible is allowing yourself to breathe while in the middle of achieving your goals. Adjust your methods as necessary. Allow yourself to make mistakes and grow from them. Lessons are learned from past mistakes – treasure them. 

Take each day as it comes

Too often, we worry about things that have not even happened yet. Negative what-if situations transpire if we allow them to. So, take each day as it comes. Do what has to be done today. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Remember this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt? – yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. Enjoy this present!

Take a break, enjoy the scenery, and smell the roses!

I have shared this in almost all of my previous blogs. Give yourself a break, relax and unwind. Find activities that enrich your mind, body, and soul. Make these activities part of the process of achieving your goals. Remember, accomplishing your goals would be useless if you do not live long enough to see them unfold!

Don’t take life too seriously

As we get older, we tend to forget how to have fun. We take life too seriously and miss out on things that really matter. It will not hurt if you inject some humor into your life. Take note that laughing a little does not hurt. Watch a comedy show. Watch your favorite sitcom or go to the movies. Have fun with your friends or family. Laugh your heart out. You cannot imagine how good it feels after a good laugh! 

Don’t let society dictate what you should and shouldn’t do

Your friend has traveled the world. Good for him. Your cousin was just promoted. Congratulations. Your brother just bought another car. Nice! What about you? 

Don’t let these kinds of remarks get to you or pressure you. Keep in mind that each person is a unique individual and has different timelines. Don’t compare yourself to others (even if others do it!) Do what you think is right for you. Remember that your intro is not the same as their climax. You may be on an earlier page – or just a different page of a different book!

The paradox of happiness

I have noticed that the happiest people in life are the ones who have no particular reason to be happy– they just are. This made me really think about my goals and happiness as a whole. When I chased my goals relentlessly, the more I was exhausted and unhappy. Then I realized happiness is paradoxical. The more you chase your goals, thinking they will make you happy, the more that happiness evades you.

Now, if I were to answer the question, we’ve been discussing. . .

My ultimate goal is to be happy and advocate positivity however I can. I know there will be challenges along the way, but these are necessary ingredients that give life more fun and make living worthwhile. I am aware that I can never be one hundred percent true to these goals, but just the same, I also know that I control my thoughts and that I have the power to direct them to where I want them to be, and that I enjoy life in the process. 

So, whether your goal is to get that dream job, travel to Tuscany, meet the perfect partner, or be healthier, the journey should be fun because that is where you will spend most of your life. 

Have a blissful week!