The Importance of Having Goals

“I just want to make a whole bunch of money!” That is the most common capitalist statement I have ever heard…and I hear it all the time. This is why people will often sell their souls just to make the ‘quick buck.’ Look at the Kardashians/Jenners, Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson or Khaby Lame. All of these people have amassed huge net worths because they did things that got them attention. But is that really how we want to see success defined?

I’m sure by now you have noticed my sarcastic tone. I would like to reframe what ‘just making money’ as goals looks like in one word: prostitution. The Oxford dictionary defines prostitution as “the unworthy or corrupt use of one’s talents for the sake of personal or financial gain.” This means that making money without regard for personal values is a sign of disrespect to both yourself and the world around you.

How many of you are just working in a job to make money because you don’t know your goals? I bet more than half of you. In August 2022, a Gallup poll found that 60% of people reported being “emotionally detached” at work. Statistically, Gallup found being “disengaged” at work costs the world $7.8 trillion in lost productivity (11% of global GDP). Those are absolutely staggering numbers and show how important it is to enjoy what you do—not just for you, but for the entire world.

So, what helps you and the world around you? Know Your Goal and Find Your Happy. These corny dictums bring focus into your life. In the spiritual sense, this is called your North Star. Historically, this North Star symbolizes: hope, freedom and direction. In fact, it was first coined as a term and tool for travelers to navigate their journey and, even more apropos, for African Americans in the 1800’s escaping slavery. This is the Beacon of Freedom. Use your North Star to free yourself from the chains of cultural negativity—stop being a slave to your life! The key, though, is that instead of searching for money itself, your intuitive desires as a human being are guiding you to your nourishing, soul-uplifting Path of Light. When we do anything that makes us feel deeply good, we feel better, and we shine. And so do the people around us. That’s obvious, right? But how many people are getting lost in feeling bad just to make money? Or experiencing a soul-sucking career just to support their ‘life.’ That’s what I’m talking about. It’s superficial energy waste. When we do a job simply because it gives us health benefits or keeps us out of the house, we are draining our own precious and unique life force.

Goals that align with our deepest soul values focus and enhance our human force. Instead of aiming for the direct line to money, we must position our lives so that we feel good along the way. Otherwise, the process is grueling and the goal is only temporary relief from an empty life. There is nothing fulfilling about using our talents in an “unworthy” way to get something that doesn’t mean anything anyway! Have you ever thought about the actual value of money? It’s just a piece of paper or metal that only has value because our society agrees and has no inherent value! Because our money is only backed by “full faith and credit” of our government, it is called fiat currency. There is no physical commodity—like gold or silver—that backs its worth. This is the definition of the phrase House of Cards: an entity that is inherently weak and unstable, making it very likely to collapse or fail easily. So, why would you base your entire existence on getting more of something that is “likely to collapse” and has no “inherent value”?!

Your Life is worthy and full of value. As you have inferred by now, having goals that align with your sense of self and motivate you make your life and the world around you a better place. Fill your human experience with meaning by setting goals that are inherently exciting so that you aren’t selling your soul to money. You know what that means because you have a strong inner compass, just like every human being feels. That is “instinct.” That is “necessary.” Start small and expand out. Your happiness depends on it. So does your family. And so do I.

“How do I do it?” you ask. Simply: write down everything that doesn’t fulfill you in work on the left side of a page. Take 3 deep breaths and clear your mind. Write down what does fulfill you in work on the right side of the page. Keep the word money out of it. Spend your time doing more and more of what is on the right side of the page until you never do what is on the left side of the page. In the beginning of this process, keep refining once a week (choose a 30 minute time and day slot), trusting that the universe wants you to live your North Star. And notice how you feel along the way. Live and be your Big Love.