Ideals Over Goals

I often come across people afraid of making goals. They may certainly know what they want, but they fear saying it, because they dread the feeling of not achieving it. But goals help us in a lot of ways to no longer feel aimless in life - they are important for finding purpose in the struggles we face. Take this perspective from Louisa May Alcott: "Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." When a therapist talks about goals, some mean very measurable and specific goals, but more often, we want to help remind you of the direction in life that you aspire to get to. The function of this isn’t to actually achieve it, because many worthy goals are not 100% achievable. However, when we view a path as desirable, it makes easier to follow. Don’t call them goals, but ideals to strive for. Those ideals give meaning and purpose to the path you walk - filling you with resilience as you encounter challenges along the way.

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."

~ Louisa May Alcott