Don't Get Caught Up in the Goal-Chasing Game

Published on July 25th, 2023 by Cem Hurturk

The goal-chasing game is a mindset that many of us get stuck in, where we continually focus on the destination rather than the journey.

This can be a dangerous game, as it often leads to burnout and disappointment when our goals are not achieved.

Examples to Goal-Chasing

Examples of goal-chasing can be seen in many areas of life, such as in the workplace, in our relationships, in our hobbies, and in our personal and professional goals.

Common examples of goal-chasing behaviors include:

1. I will lose 20kg in 6 months
2. I will save $100,000 in 3 months
3. I will double my monthly income in 2 years
4. I will start a business by the end of this year
5. I will finish my degree in 4 years

These are all examples of goals that one may set for themselves to reach. While having goals is important, it is also important to not get too caught up in the goal-chasing game.

For instance, if you are trying to lose 20kg in 6 months, it is important to focus on the process of achieving the goal and not just the end result. This means focusing on eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest.

If you are trying to save $100,000 in 3 months, it is important to focus on the process of budgeting and saving, while also making sure to still enjoy life.

If you are trying to double your monthly income in 2 years, it is important to focus on improving your skills and networking, rather than just focusing on the end result.

These are just a few examples of goals and how to not get too caught up in the goal-chasing game.

Inspiration: How Your Goals Can Trap You by Sadhguru

In his book “Inner Engineering”, spiritual leader Sadhguru emphasizes how our goals can actually become a trap if we become too attached to them.

If we invest all of our energy into attaining our goals, we may find ourselves too exhausted to appreciate what we have achieved.

Sadhguru states that “goals can become a trap if they dominate your life” and advises to “find your balance between your dreams and your reality”.

He encourages us to make sure that our goals are in line with our values and that we don’t become too attached to our destination.

He also encourages us to develop a sense of appreciation for the process and for the journey itself, rather than becoming obsessed with reaching the end.

The Problem with Getting Caught up in Goal-Chasing

When we get caught up in the goal-chasing game, we often forget about the importance of balance and well-being.

We become so focused on the end goal that we forget to take care of ourselves and our relationships. We become so obsessed with achieving our goals that we don’t make time to rest, relax, and spend time with the people we care about.

We also forget to appreciate the journey and the little wins along the way, which can be hugely motivating and satisfying. We become so focused on the end goal that we miss out on all the other aspects of life that make it so enjoyable and meaningful.

Additionally, when we get caught up in the goal-chasing game, we can become overly anxious and stressed, leading to mental and physical health issues.

Redefine Your Goals and Priorities

When it comes to goal-setting, it is important to redefine your goals and priorities in order to achieve a balance between the end result and the journey.

This means understanding the purpose behind each goal, why it is important to you, and what will happen if it is achieved.

When you redefine your goals and priorities, you can focus on the purpose of your life, rather than only the outcomes that you are trying to reach.

By understanding the bigger picture, you can break away from the goal-chasing mindset and focus on the journey and the lessons that come with it. This will help you to stay motivated, enjoy the process, and remain mindful of your purpose.

For example, rather than focusing on the goal of "losing 20kg in 6 months", set a purpose in life such as becoming a healthy and strong person in your 65th year. This way, you can enjoy the journey and appreciate the little wins along the way, rather than becoming obsessed with the end result and ignoring the process and the lessons that come with it.

Embrace the Journey Instead of the Outcome

It is important to remember that the journey is just as important as the outcome.

We should not forget to enjoy and appreciate the process of getting to our goals.

When we focus too much on the outcome, we can start to become overwhelmed and lose sight of the things that make us happy.

Embracing the journey allows us to stay in the present moment and enjoy the process of working towards our goals.

It also gives us a chance to appreciate the small wins that come along the way.

When we embrace the journey, we can make sure to give ourselves time to reflect on our progress, and to reassess our goals and priorities.

This way, we can make sure that we are staying focused on the things that matter most.

Make Time to Reflect and Reassess

Taking the time to reflect and reassess your goals is an important step in avoiding the goal-chasing game. When we get caught up in the game, it can be easy to lose sight of our core values and priorities.

Reflecting on what is truly important and assessing our goals in light of this can help us to reset our focus and realign our goals with our values. This can be a difficult process, but it is essential if we want to avoid getting sucked into the goal-chasing game.

Additionally, taking time to reflect can help us to gain clarity on our goals and to be more mindful of how we are approaching them. This in turn can lead to better results and a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Don't Let Fear of Failure Hold You Back

When we get caught up in the goal-chasing game, we can often be held back by fear of failure.

This fear can stop us in our tracks and prevent us from taking any risks or putting in the effort needed to reach our goals. It can be easy to get paralyzed by fear and to give up on our dreams.

Fear of failure can also cause us to become overly critical and perfectionistic, as we strive for perfection instead of progress.

To combat this fear, it's important to create a growth mindset, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than an end.

Growth mindset is a belief that one's abilities, talents, and intelligence can be developed and improved over time with dedication and hard work. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, which is the belief that abilities are predetermined and cannot be changed.

It's also important to remember that even if we don't reach our goals, we can still take away valuable lessons and experiences.

It's important to focus on the process rather than the outcome and to celebrate the small wins along the way.

Put Things in Perspective and Enjoy the Moment

When you get stuck in the goal-chasing game, it’s easy to forget to take a step back and put things in perspective.

Instead of focusing on the end result, take a moment to appreciate the little things and enjoy the present moment.

Remind yourself that the journey is just as important as the destination. It’s not about reaching a particular point, it’s about living life and learning lessons along the way.

When you take a step back and look at the big picture, you’ll realize that there’s more to life than the goal-chasing game.

Take the time to enjoy the process, the highs, and the lows, and you’ll be able to appreciate life more fully.

Conslusion

Life is short and we have no idea what will happen in the next minute.

So, instead of chasing your goals, set a purpose for your life and move towards it.

Enjoy every single moment, enjoy your failures, enjoy your small wins, and appreciate the journey instead of only focusing on the destination.

Don’t get too caught up in the goal-chasing game; it can lead to burnout and disappointment.

Live your life to the fullest and be open to what life has to offer. Put things in perspective and enjoy the moment.

It’s okay to have goals, but don’t forget to live in the present. Don’t forget to take time to reflect and re-assess your goals and priorities.

Live your life with purpose, and don’t let fear of failure hold you back.

Make the most of your one life! Don't focus solely on reaching your goals; instead, make sure to savor the journey and the moments along the way.