Know Your Goal.. A Surprising Secret to Excellent Health and Longevity

SadaNews - Setting goals in life is a fundamental pillar for success and personal and professional growth, as it gives life meaning and a clear direction, while increasing motivation and productivity.

Dr. Jordan Grumet, a specialist in palliative care and author of "The Purpose Code," considers that one of life's most precious lessons is to prioritize your goal and build upon it.

However, he pointed out that it is not easy to place a goal at the core of a person's life, citing that some people have been searching for their goals "for a long time, and do not know what they are, and perhaps do not even have a goal at all," as reported by Psychology Today.

Health and Happiness

A study published in 2019 in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that a strong sense of purpose is associated with lower overall mortality rates and a decreased risk of death from heart and circulatory diseases.

Additionally, a study conducted in 2021 using data from the Health and Retirement Study revealed that individuals with a strong sense of purpose were 24% less likely to be physically inactive, and their chances of facing sleep difficulties decreased by a third compared to individuals who did not express a sense of purpose.

Furthermore, a study conducted on college students found a strong positive relationship between life purpose and happiness. Students with a stronger sense of purpose reported higher levels of happiness and lower levels of depression.

Thus, the message is clear: a sense of purpose contributes to health, happiness, and longevity.

Another study revealed that up to 91% of individuals experience what is called "goal anxiety" at some point in their lives. This term describes the anxiety and frustration, even depression, individuals feel when they are unable to define their purpose in life.

Stress, Sadness, and Frustration

Having a purpose in life is associated with a longer, healthier, and happier life. However, the search for that purpose can lead to stress, sadness, and feelings of inadequacy. This raises the question: "How can purpose be both a solution and a problem at the same time?"

In this context, Grumet explained that the reason, in part, is that people in societies often misunderstand purpose, as they tend to view it as a singular homogeneous concept, whereas in reality, it is not.

A Great and Bold Purpose

One type of purpose is the kind that is known to strive for. It is a great and bold purpose directed towards achieving specific goals, related to monumental achievements such as founding a billion-dollar company, becoming a global leader, or changing the course of history.

While these goals are inspirational, they can often be difficult to achieve as they frequently depend on factors beyond one’s control, such as timing, resources, and luck. Therefore, focusing solely on big ambitious goals may lead to burnout, anxiety, and a sense of failure when those goals turn out to be elusive.

Simple, Achievable Steps

Another type of goal focuses on the process itself, meaning one does not need to achieve monumental accomplishments; rather, they can start with small steps. The key element is finding enjoyment and meaning in daily activities that ignite their passion.

These goals do not need to be linked to great outcomes or external evaluations. Rather, they involve accomplishing tasks or engaging in activities that resonate with one’s personal feelings—things that make one feel alive in the present moment. This type of goal is abundant, accessible, and difficult to fail at.

A Common Mistake and Sustainable Goal

Many people focus exclusively on big ambitious goals, completely overlooking abundant and accessible goals. Clinging to lofty objectives sets oneself up for frustration. Noble goals can seem impossible, and the pressure to achieve them can rob the journey of its joy.

In contrast, smaller goals allow for finding meaning in the process itself. It is about showing up every day and doing things that excite a person, regardless of whether they lead to a significant achievement or not. This type of goal is sustainable, fulfilling, and less likely to cause anxiety.

The Paradox of Purpose

The paradox of purpose is that it can be a source of great joy and a cause of severe frustration at the same time. The key to resolving this contradiction lies in understanding the distinction between big and small goals, and learning to prioritize the latter. Purpose is not only about achieving a great accomplishment, but also about finding meaning in the small, everyday moments that illuminate the path.