Goals that make you feel shit.

I really struggled with which fuck that to kick this project off with.

I started writing about 20 different ones but was feeling the pressure of needing to start with something that was useful, but not too wanky.

In fact, it’s been one of my major blocks to this whole project because the last thing I want to be is overly earnest. Because fuck. that. (That’s not the actual fuck that, by the way, but a bonus one. You’re welcome.)

So I’ve eventually decided to write about goals. But not just any goals. Specifically the ones that make you feel shit.

Generally speaking goals get a pretty good wrap. Something to aim for and all that. But a few years ago I realised my goals were actually making me a bit miserable. I wasn’t enjoying the process of chasing them. Fuck, I wasn’t even sure if I even liked my own goals any more or if they were relevant to me anymore.

Worst of all, when I didn’t achieve them, I was starting to feel a bit shit about it.

I even wrote an article about ‘The Joy of Giving Up’. That year, I set zero goals and hit every single one of them. It was pretty awesome.

I still got stuff done. Still had fun. Probably still set mini goals on the fly. But didn’t aim too high. Didn’t shoot for the moon. Didn’t reach for the stars. And didn’t die alone in space. Or of disappointment.

Am I saying you shouldn’t have goals? Of course not. My goal is write a chapter of this fucking book every week. Which may or may not happen. (And actually, that goal’s made me a bit miserable these past 12 or so months because I haven’t done it! But finally, here we are.)

I suppose this fuck that could have been about dealing with failure and expectations and shit like that, but actually, they’re separate chapters I’ll still write. Eventually. At least, that’s one of my current goals.

This fuck that’s specifically about choosing your goals wisely.

Be unreasonable. Aim high. Stretch yourself. That’s usually how you achieve awesome things.

But if your goals start to genuinely make you feel shit, if you’re not enjoying the process of chasing them, and you can’t find a way to change that up and get excited and feel positive about them again, then piss off that mother fucker goal quick smart. Trade it in. Throw it in the bin. Burn it. Whatever.

It’s the bit all those self help gurus don’t tell you about. But you’ve got me. Lucky you.

Life’s too short to feel shit about your own goals.

Adjust them if you can. Ditch them if you must. Replace them when you’re ready.

Let your goals guide you, inspire you, drive you… but don’t let them make you feel shit.

fuck. that.

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