“Follow your dreams” is an often overused mantra of social media influencers and self-help gurus selling you on a better life. But if it worked, wouldn’t more people be living their best life? The truth is that having a dream or a vision is only a small part of the solution. Remember that heroic tales don’t come from those who dared to dream—they come from those who dared to try. Action is necessary. But before you try to achieve some grand vision, you should probably plan for it. Having a plan allows us to be a little more bold.
I often tell my students that a vision is weak without resolve—resolve is weak without strategy. In my opinion, too much advice stops at goal-setting, ignoring the deeper work required for lasting success. I believe that if we want better outcomes, we need a structured, strategic approach—not wishful thinking.
Of course, when pursuing what we want, I think we must proceed with caution. Our choices, vision for the future, and internal dialogue about the significance of our desires all play a crucial role in shaping our path. It is also important to recognize that our current struggles or stagnation may stem from hidden factors, Epistemic Rigidity, external influences, or misconceptions—elements that, once clarified, could fundamentally reshape our understanding and priorities.
A solid compass might be “What’s important to me?” However, while this question is essential, relying on it alone can be very misleading. Indeed, it serves as a solid starting point for a meaningful life, but stopping there risks leading to short-term decisions that fail to support long-term well-being. True, life offers no guarantees, but for most, many more days will come. We must plan accordingly. On that note, we must understand that without thoughtful planning, what seems significant today may lose its relevance tomorrow—or worse, may never materialize at all.
To ensure that what matters to us remains both attainable and fulfilling over time, we must challenge ourselves with deeper inquiry. However, it must be rooted in some sort of accuracy, and the foundation of our vision must be attainable. Being future-focused and outcome-oriented requires us to see that the past is unchangeable and the present is already unfolding, which means the only realm we can truly influence is the future. In other words, it’s not about what was; it’s about what could be.
Some make the mistake of trying to see too far into the future and not affixing purpose to the pursuit. Don’t get me wrong, long-term vision is necessary, but first steps are critical. The problem is that if the vision is too big, we might procrastinate or avoid starting altogether. I think we need to start smaller and rely on the aggregation of moderate gains. Hence, a crucial question to consider is: What kind of life do I want to be living in two years?
This question forces us to examine key aspects of our near future, such as the habits we wish to cultivate, the passions or hobbies we want to explore, the status of our relationships, and how we intend to take care of our health. We need to get these things straight in order to maintain our focus and motivation. Moreover, these reflections lead to more intentional and sustainable decision-making. However, to arrive at meaningful answers, we must dig even deeper.
How long will this remain important to me, and what comes next? Remember that priorities evolve over time, and “cause and effect” is real. Hence, what serves us today may not hold the same significance in the future. Considering the longevity of our pursuits helps prevent investments in fleeting interests or nonsensical fads.
How do I attain it? A goal without a plan is merely a wish. Identifying clear steps and strategies ensures that we actively work toward our aspirations rather than passively hoping for them. Similarly, establishing steps allows us to be happy with the aggregation of moderate gains because we know we are making progress.
How do I sustain or master it? It’s Self-Determination Theory! Achieving something is only the beginning. Long-term fulfillment requires cultivating the skills, habits, and discipline necessary to maintain and improve upon it.
How do I achieve autonomy in my enjoyment of it? Similar to the preceding, we must understand that true fulfillment often comes from self-sufficiency. If our happiness or success depends entirely on external factors or centers around a “dependent vision,” we must consider how to build resilience and independence in our pursuits.
What trade-offs am I willing to make? This is one that most simply do not consider but absolutely should. Every pursuit comes with costs—whether in time, energy, money, relationships, or other opportunities. Progressing to something new means letting go of the things that were holding us back in the first place. Identifying and accepting these sacrifices is crucial for long-term commitment.
How will I measure progress or success? How will you know that you’ve done well? What does success look like when you get there? How do I know that I’m making real progress? Without specific benchmarks, it is very difficult to assess whether we are moving in the right direction. Establishing clear indicators of progress ensures continuous improvement.
What obstacles might arise, and how will I navigate them? Achieving what you want will likely not be easy. Looking at your goals through a rose-colored lens is merely setting yourself up for debilitating failure. However, anticipating setbacks and developing contingency plans increases our ability to overcome inevitable difficulties rather than being derailed by them.
Who can help refine, challenge, or support this pursuit? No one achieves success in isolation. You need to give someone permission to call you out on your “B.S.” and put a red marker on your work. Seeking mentors, peers, and advisors provides valuable insights and accountability. Don’t be afraid of this absolutely necessary step. It’s more valuable than I could ever scribe.
Yes, discovering what’s important to us is important. The two-year question is even better, but an even broader perspective is necessary. So, when you think about what you’re chasing in the near term, ask yourself whether your pursuit will still align with your values and priorities in five, ten, or even twenty years. Sure, you don’t know that version of yourself yet, but you can bet that some things are going to change. Just consider how different your priorities are from five, ten, or even twenty years ago. Ensuring that our actions remain congruent with evolving values prevents future regret.
Finally, we need to ask ourselves the BIG question. What unintended consequences might arise? Chasing or even achieving a goal often brings ripple effects we choose not to anticipate. Give this some deep thought. Evaluating the broader impact of our pursuits allows us to make more informed decisions today. Please, do not skip this step!
Vision and goals are vital to success. Understanding what is important is only the first step. Without everything else, you could be setting yourself up for heartache. Chasing, achieving, and sustaining what you achieve requires deeper thought and structured action. By asking the right questions today, we move beyond fleeting desires and toward a life of meaningful, enduring fulfillment. I’ll close by emphasizing that the real goal is not merely to attain what matters but to maintain, develop, and ensure it serves us well into the future—just in case we live to be old and gray.