“Focus on the steps, not the summit. Success is built in the climb, not just the view from the top.”
Young and smart. Beautiful young woman with tape measure on her neck looking at fashion magazine while leaning on the desk in her workshop
Goals are the trendy productivity buzzword that has everyone thinking they need a five-year plan just to get through their morning routine. But guess what? I don’t do goals. Here’s why, and more importantly, what I do instead.
Goals Can Be Limiting I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “But without goals, how do you get anything done?” Easy—because goals are like putting blinders on. They narrow your focus to one specific outcome, making you ignore all the other possibilities that pop up along the way. The problem? Life doesn’t care about your neat little goals. Things change, opportunities appear, and if you’re too locked into your “master plan,” you miss out on them. Instead of rigid goals, I keep my mind open. Flexibility is my superpower. I might have intentions, yes—things I want to accomplish—but I leave room for the unexpected and adapt as needed. I’m not stuck chasing one thing while life serves up a buffet of better options. This approach reminds me of James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Clear argues that goals are short-lived wins, but systems—the consistent habits and routines we build—are what lead to meaningful progress. As he puts it, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
The Goal Trap: Chasing the Finish Line Another reason I’m over goals? They’re like a finish line in a marathon you didn’t sign up for. You’re running, sweating, and pushing yourself, but the finish line doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. Sure, you might hit your target, but then what? You celebrate for five minutes, and the satisfaction fizzles out. Then you’re back to square one, setting another goal, and the cycle continues. I focus on process over outcome. Instead of obsessing over “I need to achieve this,” I ask, “Am I growing and improving today?” It’s a mindset shift that makes the journey way more enjoyable. Plus, I get to evolve at my own pace instead of constantly stressing about deadlines. Thomas M. Sterner captures this beautifully in The Practicing Mind. He emphasizes the value of staying present and enjoying the process rather than fixating on the end result. His philosophy? The real progress happens when you focus on the task at hand, not the destination.
Ditching Tunnel Vision You ever notice how people with big goals develop tunnel vision? They’re so locked into achieving that one thing, they miss out on everything else happening around them. Life is dynamic. Sticking to one rigid plan isn’t just impractical—it’s downright suffocating. Instead of narrowing my vision, I prefer to keep my radar on full blast. I stay open to new opportunities, relationships, and experiences that weren’t part of any plan. That’s where the magic happens. Staying flexible allows me to pivot when life throws me a curveball—and trust me, it always does. This mindset ties closely to Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. McKeown encourages focusing on what truly matters while letting go of distractions and rigid expectations. “If it isn’t a clear yes, then it’s a clear no,” he says, which is the perfect mantra for staying adaptable.
Intentions Over Goals So what do I do instead of setting goals? I set intentions. They guide my energy without locking me into one path. For example, instead of a strict goal like “I’m going to save $10,000 by the end of the year,” I set the intention to be more financially responsible. This way, I’m always moving toward financial health, but I’m not beating myself up if unexpected expenses come up. Intentions give me a direction without the pressure of a specific outcome. They’re like having a compass instead of a map—you know which way you’re going, but you’re not tied to one exact route.
Systems Over Goals Another game-changer? Focusing on systems instead of goals. Goals are outcome-based, but systems are action-based. Rather than saying, “I want to lose 10 pounds,” I build a system around healthy eating and regular exercise. That way, I’m improving every day without obsessing over the numbers. By developing solid systems, I make progress consistently, and guess what? The results come naturally. I don’t need to wait for some grand “goal achievement” moment to feel good. The small wins every day are more than enough.
Staying Present Goals tend to pull you into the future. You’re constantly thinking about where you need to be in six months or a year, and that robs you of the joy of living in the present. My approach? I live for today. I focus on what I can do right now to improve my life, my work, and my relationships. This doesn’t mean I don’t plan ahead—I do—but I refuse to let future ambitions steal the joy from what’s happening in the moment.
No Goals, No Problem So, if you’re tired of feeling like a hamster on the “goal achievement” wheel, take a breather. Try focusing on intentions, systems, and small daily wins instead. Books like Atomic Habits, The Practicing Mind, and Essentialism are great starting points for shifting your mindset and learning how to thrive without rigid goals. Remember, life is about growth and experience, not checking boxes on some predetermined list. And honestly? It’s way more fun this way.
