Setting goals as targets to be achieved is setting oneself up for failure.
The way you set your objectives will affect the fulfillment you may experience in your life. Instead of setting them as finite goals, make them infinite.
The default mode of setting goals is as finite objectives.
“I want to get in shape.”
“I want to get married.”
“I want to be rich.”
At least, that's what I did for most of my life, and it was a disastrous experience.
I am here to convince you that setting goals as infinite objectives will help you live a more fulfilling life.
Why you should never set your goals as finite
I once aspired to excel at tennis, but my interest waned once I achieved a decent skill level. Similarly, I desired to become an engineer, earned my degree, but then found I disliked the field.
Undoubtedly, you have your own examples, hopefully not as messed up as mine. But, you understand my point.
If you define a goal merely as an achievable target, you risk wasting time on objectives that lack true importance to you.
It's normal to want to improve, to learn more, to acquire a new skill. It's a natural desire for anyone with an intact spirit.
Yet, just because you desire to be capable of something doesn't mean you want to do it for the rest of your life.
Stop making life decisions based on finite objectives. Instead, consider them as infinite and see if they still appeal to you. Only then should you make a decision.
Let's use the example of "wanting to get in shape".
That goal implies:
Having training routine to define your muscle.
Getting your diet on point.
Having healthy sleeping habits.
Alcohol and snacks always in moderation.
And to do this consistently for months, or even years, depending on your starting point.
And that’s the worst part. You will have spend years chasing a goal. That what has driven your action for so long.
Now you have achieved it, there is nothing driving you anymore. If you believe replacing your drive with another is an easy task, think again.
If you have other important things beside you, you may find the strength to keep standing until you have built yourself back up again. But if you have nothing left that drives you, you will falling apart. And no one can tell how far down you will fall.
What I mean by “infinite” objective
An infinite objective is a goal that can never be fully achieved.
"I want to get in shape" becomes "I want to stay in shape".
"I want to get married" turns into "I want to stay married".
This may not appear to be a significant difference, but it truly is.
For some goals, your process won't change. For example, the actions to get in shape are the same as those needed to stay in shape.
However, looking at it this way can help you determine if you truly want it. If you can't sustain it for a lifetime, why would you want to do it for a day? It's likely to change what you're willing to do. Perhaps you'll need to adjust your expectations and aim lower to desire it.
For some, marriage changes everything. For instance, the sacrifices required to stay married are different from those needed to get married.
The actions you take, the risks you assume, and the levels of pain and fulfillment you experience will all vary.
Contrary to popular belief, these sacrifices begin long before the marriage ceremony.
And if you want to argue that your goal is simply to get married rather than to stay married, then what you're truly seeking isn't marriage.
In summary, there is no reason not to reframe your goals as infinite objectives.
It can reveal your true desires.
It can alter the actions you believe are necessary.
It can change your life's trajectory.
Initially, accepting this shift might be difficult, but you'll never regret it in the long run.
Since it only takes two seconds to complete, there are no excuses not to do it.