May 11, 2022.
Today will be short and sweet! Last night I read something interesting that mentioned “imitation goals,” which are goals we set for ourselves based on the popular culture around us and what everyone deems acceptable. In conversation, I’ve heard well-accomplished people at the pinnacle of their careers saying something along the lines of “everyone around me was doing ABC, so I did it and I ended up here.” I always wonder if there is any chance that they would have ended up elsewhere. Of course, no one starts off knowing everything and initial decisions like that can often lead one on the right path as they learn whether they like the profession or not. But what happens when someone doesn’t have the will to leave?
There are more obvious situations such as parents saying they only want their children to be lawyers, doctors or engineers. There are also more subtle societal pressures such as: when to get married, whether to have children, where to live, and income to name a few. In many cases people will acquire or achieve all these things only to find out they aren’t happy. I think that’s because those were not their goals in the first place. So how can one find out their real goals? I am still trying to figure this out. My best guess would be to continuously ask yourself what your goals are rooted in? Is the goal intrinsic or extrinsic? Would you have the same goal if you knew no one was watching?
Question of the day:
- Is this goal mine or an imitation goal?
Comment your thoughts and share with a friend who might benefit from reading this!