Having Goals Is Great, But Having Purpose Is Better

Posted by The Happy Rock on June 10, 2007

Consider two similar working mothers: one who wants to get out of debt because a few of her friends starting getting our of debt. The other woman decides to get out of debt, so that she can provide a more secure environment for her children by quitting her job to pursue a life goal of staying at home full time. If you had to bet on which one will succeed at becoming debt free, which one would it be?

Maybe the example is too simplistic, but I hope the point is clear. Having goals is very helpful, but having purpose will change your life. The woman who feels called to be at home with her children will be motivated far beyond that of the first woman. If we can begin to define answers to the questions ‘who are we?’ and ‘what are we meant to do in life?’, our lives will begin to reorient themselves around these answers. Purpose fuels our passion, which in turn should lead to making measurable goals. The goal becomes important, not because it is a ‘good’ goal, but because it is a step towards achieving your deep fulfilling purpose in life. When the goal is the end in and of itself, there is nothing to motivate us. We are limited to the extent that our self discipline will keep us on track. I know for most that this isn’t a promising picture.

“Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for” -Victor Frankl(concetration camp survivor)

If you connect with these words, then there is no better time to start trying to find the deeper meaning in your lives. It may take us years, even a lifetime, but our lives will never again be the same.

» Filed Under Energy, Favorites, Living with Purpose, Motivation, Productivity

Trackbacks/Pings

Money Walks - Personal Finance Blog - Save Money » Carnival of Debt Reduction Edition #92 on June 18th, 2007 4:04 am
How To Get Out Of Debt Faster - Big Shovel Edition | The Happy Rock on November 18th, 2007 1:15 am
Tips To Kickstart your Debt Reduction Plan | The Happy Rock on January 17th, 2008 12:17 am
Community In Action - Christmas Week Edition | The Happy Rock on December 29th, 2008 12:15 am
8 Ways To Prosper No Matter What Happens to The Economy | MoneyEnergy on March 30th, 2009 7:29 am

Comments

13 Responses to “Having Goals Is Great, But Having Purpose Is Better”

Marrisa (4 comments.) on August 29th, 2007 8:45 am

Hi again! Good article!
Hannah Senesh said:

“One needs something to believe in, something for which one can have whole-hearted enthusiasm. One needs to feel that one’s life has meaning, that one is needed in this world.”

Kind regards!
The Happy Rock (336 comments.) on August 29th, 2007 10:07 pm

Marrisa,

Thanks for the quote. Having meaning and purpose are huge components of happiness and success.
Angel Fire (1 comments.) on October 5th, 2007 4:44 am

Hi!
Great post on goals with purpose. you have gave an example of to women who wants to get out of their debts. I think so the second women will be succeeded to get out of debt because she is doing that with a purpose. Thank you for posting such kind of posts. Have a nice day.
Glory (17 comments.) on September 9th, 2008 4:33 am

Your article on having purpose impressed me so much. Keep up good job!!! We all find inspiration in your posts!!!
Samantha (1 comments.) on September 11th, 2008 10:42 pm

Great post! Have purpose and know where you’re going with every task, problem or situation that may come up in your life- Know where you’re going and you’re more likely to get there.
David @ PYF (5 comments.) on February 16th, 2009 1:47 pm

Nice post. I recently started putting more of a “why” emphasis on my goals, and it seems to help. It makes my goals seem more real, because there’s more of a consequence to not following through.
Sourav (1 comments.) on May 8th, 2009 2:11 am

Impressive..
Just having goals is not enough.You have to try for it.

Thanks
ChristianPF (21 comments.) on July 29th, 2009 9:36 am

I could not agree more – goals do help, but having an underlying purpose to live and to what and why we want to accomplish something is much more valuable!