Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"The pursuit of a goal brings order"

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Psychologist
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Chasing after a goal can bring a sense of order to our lives. Think about it. When you’re focused on something specific, suddenly, everything else starts to align. Your daily routine, your priorities, your decisions – they all start to make sense in relation to what you’re aiming for.

Historically, this idea can be seen in the lives of many renowned figures. Take Thomas Edison, for instance. Imagine him in his lab, obsessing over the invention of the light bulb. His relentless pursuit wasn’t just about the invention itself; it structured his entire life. Every experiment, every failure, and every sleepless night had a purpose. His dedication gave a clear direction to his life – and as a result, the world got a little brighter.

Let’s bring it closer to home with a real-life example. Picture Sarah, a young woman who always seemed a bit lost. Without any clear direction, her days were a mishmash of half-hearted attempts at various hobbies and jobs. Then, one day, she decided she wanted to run a marathon. At first, it seemed like a crazy idea. But as she started training, things changed. Her mornings began with a run instead of a snooze button. Her diet improved because she needed the right fuel. Her social life even shifted, as she started hanging out with other runners. The goal of running that marathon brought order to her chaotic life.

So how can you take this wisdom and make it work for you? Start by picking a goal – it doesn’t have to be monumental. Maybe it’s learning a new language or saving up for a trip. Once you have that goal, everything else will start to fall into place. You’ll find yourself making choices that align with your goal. You’ll prioritize tasks that get you closer to it and discard those that don’t.

Imagine this scenario: You’re a college student, drowning in a sea of assignments, social events, and part-time job shifts. It’s overwhelming, right? But then, you set a clear goal: graduate with honors. Suddenly, your priorities shift. That party on Friday night? It doesn’t seem as appealing when you’ve got a big test on Monday. Your part-time job becomes a means to an end, funding your study materials instead of just extra cash for random expenses. Your life gains a rhythm, a sense of purpose.

Now, let’s put ourselves in another situation. Think about a family planning a big vacation. The goal is to take a two-week trip to Europe next summer. With that goal, the family starts to budget. They cut out unnecessary expenses, plan their work schedules, and even start learning a bit of the local language. This shared goal brings the family together, creating a sense of unity and purpose.

So, the next time you’re feeling adrift, set a goal. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. Just having something to aim for can be the anchor that brings order to your life. And remember, it’s not just about the end result. The journey – the pursuit itself – is what brings structure and meaning to our days. Now, go ahead, dream big (or small), and watch how the pursuit of your goal brings everything else into order.
Related tags
Achievement Discipline Focus Goal-setting Motivation Order Organization Personal development Productivity Purpose
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon