Are Your Goals Real or Just Wishful Thinking? How to Test and Commit to What Matters

Setting a goal is easy; knowing if it’s truly yours is harder. Many goals fail not because they are impossible but because they lack authentic excitement and meaning. Testing your goal is a vital step that most overlook.

One effective method is the Spouse-ish Test. Share your goal with someone who knows you deeply. Notice their reaction and your own. Does your goal spark excitement or hesitation? This feedback is a mirror reflecting your true feelings.

Another powerful tool is the 'for the sake of' or FOSO Test. When you add 'for the sake of...' to your goal, you clarify its importance beyond personal gain. For example, 'I want to write a book for the sake of inspiring young entrepreneurs.' This connection to a bigger purpose fuels persistence through challenges.

Finding the Goldilocks Zone for your goal is equally important. It should be challenging enough to stretch you but achievable enough to avoid discouragement. Goals too easy breed boredom; too hard, despair.

Imagine an aspiring podcaster who initially aimed to 'start a podcast' but felt uninspired. After testing, they refined it to 'launch a podcast that ranks in the top 3% within a year to give a voice to marginalized communities.' This goal passed the Spouse-ish and FOSO tests and landed in the Goldilocks Zone, sparking genuine commitment.

Testing your goal with these methods helps you avoid common traps like setting goals to please others or chasing unrealistic dreams. It’s about owning your ambition with clarity and courage.

Next, we’ll explore how to claim your goal by sharpening its focus and embracing your commitment fully.