How about not setting goals for this year?

Growth is not a checkbox

Hey there,

I hope your week was filled with great moments and exciting wins!

Today, I want to talk about setting goals for the year ahead.

In the beginning of the year, it's common to see people setting grand goals for the year ahead.

We buy the gym membership and promise ourselves that this will be the year we finally get in shape.
We set ambitious career goals, making plans to get that promotion or start our own business.
We make personal goals like traveling to new places or learning a new skill.

These goals give us a sense of purpose and direction, motivating us to work towards them every day.

The first month or two, we're filled with enthusiasm and determination. Everything works out, and we feel like we're on the right track.

But as the months go by, life happens, and we often find ourselves straying from those goals. The initial excitement wears off and reality sets in. Maybe we lose our motivation to go to the gym. Or our career plans get derailed by unexpected events. We start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even guilty for not being able to keep up with our goals.

And before we know it, the year is over and those goals we set for ourselves seem like distant dreams. We look back and realize that we didn't achieve most of our goals. So we feel disappointed and wonder where we went wrong.

And this cycle repeats year after year.

But what if we approached the new year differently?
What if we didn't set goals for this year?

And what if I told you that sometimes, not setting specific goals can be just as beneficial, if not more?

I know, it may seem counterintuitive. We've been taught that setting goals is the key to success and personal growth. And while this may be true to some extent, I believe that sometimes, not setting goals can actually lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Here's why:

Firstly, when we set specific goals for a specific time frame, we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure and restrict our potential growth. We become singularly focused on achieving those goals, often at the expense of other important aspects of our lives.

We become so fixated on the end result that we forget to enjoy the journey.

But what if instead of setting goals, we focused on creating a vision for our lives? A vision that's not set in stone and can change and evolve as we go through life's ups and downs. This way, we can still have a sense of direction. But with the flexibility to adapt and pivot as needed.

Secondly, not setting goals allows for unexpected opportunities and experiences to unfold. When we have tunnel vision on achieving a specific goal, we may miss out on other opportunities that could lead us down a different, but equally fulfilling path.

Sometimes, the best things in life come when we least expect them.

Lastly, by releasing the pressure of strict goals, we allow ourselves to be present in the moment and appreciate our journey. We can focus on personal growth without constantly feeling like it's a race against time. Growth becomes an organic and fluid part of our lives instead of just being another checkbox to tick off.

This doesn’t mean you should give up on your goals, dreams, or working on yourself. It also doesn’t mean living without direction or purpose.

It’s about letting go of the pressure and stress of strict goals and staying open to change, rolling with the unexpected instead of trying to control every little part of life.

So this year, instead of setting specific goals for 2025, why not focus on creating a vision for your life? Take the pressure off and allow yourself to be open to new possibilities. Trust that everything will unfold in its own time. And enjoy the journey along the way.

I know it can be scary to let go of our goals and plans. But sometimes, the best things in life come when we let go and allow ourselves to be surprised.

So, let's embrace the unknown and see where it takes us.

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Weekly Reflection

What is one area of my life where I can let go of strict goals and create a vision instead?

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🍵 Thank you for reading!

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you! I hope they bring you a moment of reflection and a touch of peace.

Until next time, stay intentional.

– Zhenya

P.S. If you're new here, it's nice to meet you! I invite you to check out the past editions to get a sense of what my Teacup is all about.

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🌊 Where can you flow next?

The Way of the Dao: This course is a structured, easy-to-follow introduction to Daoism. It's designed to help you apply its wisdom in a practical way.

My Daoist Mentorship: This is a highly personalized, one-on-one written mentorship. Designed for those who want to step onto a timeless path of self-mastery, inner balance, and effortless flow.

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Did you know that the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was influenced by Daoism?

If you want to discover another perspective on the human mind, checking out Jung's work could be a great starting point.

I had the honor of writing an introduction to Daoism for Rowan Davis' article on Jung's psychology and its connection to this ancient Chinese philosophy.

So, if you're looking for a clear and easy-to-follow explanation of the human mind, you may want to check out Rowan's article: The Dao of Jung