You have no problem living without one
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
So many business books and motivational videos talk about how to set a goal. Such books and talks make you feel you are a failure if you don’t set a goal. They almost make you believe that you can’t live without setting a goal.
Yesterday I posted an article “I Stopped Setting a Goal.”
It is contrary to the mainstream thoughts, so I think I owe you an explanation. I will try my best. If I can’t complete my explanation in this article, I will keep on writing in other articles. So please bear with me.
Definition of “Goal”
I would like to start with clarifying the definition of the word “goal.”
Let’s look up the word “Goal” in the dictionary. Below is a quote from Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
1 : the end toward which effort is directed : AIM
2 a : an area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usually through or into which it must go to score points
b : the act or action of causing a ball or puck to go through or into such a goal
c : the score resulting from such an act
3 a : the terminal point of a race
b : an area to be reached safely in children’s games
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Out of the above definitions, 2 is specific to a game like soccer or hockey. Let’s omit that.
Obviously, when we talk about goals in business or self-improvement situation, the word “goal” is used to mean the definition 1: the end toward which effort is directed.
Sorry, I’m an anal person. I want to razor-sharp focus on this particular definition.
1: The end toward which effort is directed…
What happens your effort by definition has no end? How do you set a goal?
The very two practices, Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) and tea ceremony, both tell me there is no end to your effort. You keep on practicing till you die, still you will never reach the end. If there is no end, then no goals.
3 a: The terminal point of a race…
If you are in a race, of course a goal is set. But what if you refuse to participate in any race? The terminal point of it becomes mute.
According to this dictionary’s definition, you don’t need a goal unless:
- your effort has a certain end,
- you’re playing some kind of games, or
- you participate in a race.
When I enjoy arranging flowers or serving a bowl of tea, I don’t need a goal.
When I enjoy writing an essay, I don’t need a goal.
When I live happily, I don’t a goal.
I’m pretty sure you find the same. You do, conduct, and enjoy so many things in your life without the need for setting any goal.
So let’s not freak out. You have no problem living without setting a goal.