Savouring the journey: key to leveraging the double edged sword of goals

Abstract

Goal-setting is a double edged sword. On one side it holds the potential to spike productivity, align energies, create a sense of purpose, and provide direction. On the other side, however, it holds the potential to create stress, anxiety, fear of failure, narrowed focus (blocking out wider considerations), tendency to take shortcuts that might compromise on values, and self-judgment (or low self-esteem). In this paper, we propose a method to work with goals so as to accentuate potential benefits and at the same time mitigate the potential downsides associated with goal-striving. We propose that by choosing to consciously savor the journey during the process of striving towards the goal, one can experience a way of living and working that is productive, joyous, as well as value-driven.