Forget About Goals | How to Succeed in Life by Sadhguru

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being devoted to the process rather than focusing solely on goals. He explains how goals are often driven by external influences and desires, which can lead to disappointment. True success, according to the speaker, comes from deep dedication to the present moment, whether in business, academics, or any other field. He encourages individuals to focus on their current actions and trust that dedication will naturally lead to growth and achievement, avoiding the frustration of chasing goals without passion.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that many students have high goals, but those goals are often shaped by limited understanding and knowledge of the world.
• 😀 Setting goals is often influenced by current levels of knowledge, leading to small or unrealistic goals.
• 😀 If you are driven solely by the idea of reaching a goal, it can lead to disappointment if you achieve it or frustration if you don’t.
• 😀 The importance of focusing on the process, not just the end goal, is highlighted. Success comes through devotion to the task at hand.
• 😀 Goals are often driven by desires, which are shaped by current thinking, but desires may not be truly yours—they can be borrowed from trends.
• 😀 Devotion to the process ensures that one grows and improves along the way, regardless of the end goal.
• 😀 The speaker shares an example from the business world, where the focus on the process in their organization led to greater success compared to others focused on high financial rewards.
• 😀 Focusing too much on the finish line, instead of the steps taken to get there, can lead to frustration or brokenness, even when goals are reached.
• 😀 Many successful people, despite achieving their material goals, are not joyful. The real joy comes from devotion to the journey, not the result.
• 😀 True devotion in any field, whether it be sports, art, music, politics, or academics, is essential to achieving significant accomplishments.
• 😀 The speaker advises the youth not to set goals based on societal trends but to focus on being fully engaged in the process they are part of.

Q & A

What was the speaker's approach to goal-setting when they were younger?

The speaker admits that they had no clear goals when they were younger. Their father was concerned about their lack of focus, but the speaker was actually interested in many things, though not the same things their father expected.

How does the speaker suggest we should approach goal-setting?

The speaker suggests that goals should be set based on one's current level of understanding and knowledge. Setting a goal when you don't have complete knowledge can lead to frustration and disappointment.

Why does the speaker argue against focusing solely on goals?

The speaker believes that focusing solely on goals can be detrimental because it leads to either disappointment or frustration. The real key to success is being devoted to the process rather than obsessing over the goal itself.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain the process of achieving a goal?

The speaker uses the analogy of growing mangoes. Instead of focusing only on mangoes, one must focus on the soil, water, sunlight, and other aspects. These represent the process, which is crucial for achieving the desired outcome.

What does the speaker say about the goals people typically set?

The speaker argues that many people's goals are not truly their own but are borrowed from others. These goals are often influenced by trends and societal expectations, rather than being driven by individual passion or understanding.

What does the speaker mean by 'devotion to the process'?

Devotion to the process means being fully committed to the actions and steps involved in what you are doing right now. It’s about focusing on the present task, no matter how small, instead of fixating on the final outcome.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of being devoted to the process?

The speaker emphasizes devotion to the process because it ensures that one is fully engaged and doing their best at each step. This engagement leads to growth and success, whereas focusing only on the goal can cause a person to miss the richness of the journey.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between success and the process?

The speaker suggests that true success comes from being devoted to the process, not the end goal. Success achieved through devotion to the process leads to lasting satisfaction, whereas success achieved through goal obsession can lead to emptiness and disappointment.

How does the speaker illustrate the emptiness of achieving external goals?

The speaker uses the example of people driving luxury cars, like BMWs and Mercedes. Many of these individuals, despite achieving their material goals, do not seem genuinely joyful. This illustrates how reaching a goal without devotion to the process can lead to disappointment.

What advice does the speaker give to young people regarding their goals?

The speaker advises young people not to obsess over setting specific goals. Instead, they should be fully devoted to the work they are doing right now. Over time, this commitment will naturally lead them to greater achievements and fulfillment.