True story.
A man decides he wants to make a lot of money. People tell him that making a lot of money will make him happy. This man works his whole life to make this money.
After making all the money, he realizes that the people that long ago told him that making a lot of money would make him happy, they were wrong. He never focused on what would make him happy, and he reached the wrong goal.
Earmuffs.
The world that we live in is filled with noise. No matter where you are, there are a million different sounds fighting for your two ears to make one unified, distracting mess in your head.
Even in the loneliest settings, you cannot avoid the deafening ringing in your eardrums that demand attention.
People are constantly yelling opinions and nonsense at you, trying to persuade you to conduct yourself according to whatever “truths” they have to tell you. It’s loud, confusing, and frustrating.
Here’s a little secret to help guide you through the maze.
Focus on your true goals.
If you maintain focus, you can block out all of the distractions that are getting in the way of you and your goals. It sounds like a simple concept, but of course it is much easier said than done.
The first step in calibrating the direction of your life path is to set your true goals. This is a crucial step that most people do wrong.
Resist brainstorming ideas that you think would make you happy, like being rich and famous.
Focus on things that you know will actually make you happy, like being able to spend more time with your friends and family.
Look at yourself right now and tell yourself where you want to be one year from now to be closer to this goal. Stay realistic, but push yourself at the same time. Figure out what is attainable and then set your goal one-step past that.
Goal setting leads to success.
Whether your goal is a new job, promotion, residence, or personal health goal, you have to want it.
Don’t lie to yourself – know what you actually want.
And when you have set that goal, arrange your life in a position to best reach that goal. This goal is now your top priority and very little else will trump this importance. This goal has to be considered in every life decision you make until you have achieved success on your journey.
Successfully achieving this goal will lead to happiness because you set your goal around what you know will actually make you happy.
Success is happiness.
“Success” can mean many different things to different people. However, it is a universally accepted notion to align “success” with the feeling of happiness.
Why would one want to be successful in their endeavors if they thought that success would make them sad? They probably wouldn’t.
Again, let me reiterate that “success” is not defined as becoming rich and famous. Every time you have reached a set goal, you have attained success. Overcoming a set goal should be associated with a sense of happiness in your life.
Don’t forget that. If you have set a goal that will make you unhappy, you need to go back to step one and re-focus on your true goals.
The big picture.
Happiness is the true goal for every one of us. The path to happiness is not always crystal clear, so following these steps can help accelerate the process.
Define Happiness —> Set True Goals —> Focus —> Successfully Achieve True Goals —> Experience Happiness
If happiness is the true universal goal, then focus on it. Resist the distractions and temptations, and never forget the end goal of it all.
Focus on happiness.
