Turn Your Biggest Dreams into Reality by Swapping Goals for Quests

Goals may appear mundane and obligatory, whereas quests are enjoyable and transformative. Would you be more inclined to persist with one over the other?

As a professional writer, I am acutely conscious of the myriad synonymous words that exist to describe common concepts or objects. Is the individual slender, svelte, or trim? Is the entrepreneur ambitious, vigorous, or determined?

Each term conveys a similar meaning, yet each offers distinct and intriguing nuances that influence our perception of a situation or person. The nuances of the words we select carry weight. According to several experts, manipulating language in this manner can render our most formidable goals more attainable.

The Significance of Word Choice

Consider the aspirations you harbor for your future—are they dreams, goals, aspirations, aims, targets, or perhaps quests?

You might assume that the term you employ when pursuing lofty and challenging endeavors is inconsequential. However, those who have analyzed how individuals achieve truly arduous feats disagree. Renowned author and entrepreneur, Tim Ferriss, for instance, learned to favor the term “goal” over “dream” from the coach of champion boxer Evander Holyfield.

“A dream is a fantastical notion unlikely to materialize. A goal is a meticulously planned objective that one diligently works towards and accomplishes,” Ferriss was advised. Since then, he refers to his future visions as goals, not dreams.

Best-selling productivity author James Clear asserts that individuals will make greater progress in their pursuits by envisioning schedules instead of deadlines.

“For high achievers, success hinges on continual practice. The emphasis lies on action rather than the attainment of a specific goal within a designated timeframe,” he argues. The term “schedules” reinforces a focus on the process rather than the outcome.

Research also indicates that the way in which we delineate our life objectives plays a crucial role. When a trio of psychology professors guided study participants to view their lives as an ongoing narrative, akin to a Hollywood blockbuster featuring a protagonist embarking on a quest, their resilience and sense of purpose noticeably increased. Language and framing alterations yielded tangible real-world effects.

Goals vs. Quests

If the language employed to articulate ambitions is consequential, which term is most suitable? Writer David Cain argued on his blog, Raptitude, that those psychology professors who shaped their subjects into mini-Luke Skywalkers were onto something.

According to Cain, striving for something monumental and challenging should be approached as a quest, not merely a goal. The term ‘goal’ has acquired a mundane institutional connotation. Goals represent what a manager assigns or what one feels compelled to establish at the New Year, only to abandon shortly thereafter.

Furthermore, the word “goal” lacks immediacy. “Goals are tasks you plan on attending to in the future. They are not imperative, and you are preoccupied with current duties from your agenda. You will address them shortly but not at the moment,” Cain elaborates.

Nevertheless, in order to progress in life, it is essential to craft a vision for the future. The solution lies in transforming uninspiring goals into enthralling quests.

“While ‘goal’ has become a banal and lifeless descriptor for a (presumed) intention to achieve something grand, the word ‘quest’ instills a mindset conducive to attaining a personal victory in reality,” Cain asserts.

The Motivation of Enjoyment

Quests are appealing because they are enjoyable. “A quest promises to propel you into an unfamiliar, uncharted territory,” Cain notes. “You anticipate encountering puzzles, surprises, dangers, and intriguing encounters. The bridge you trusted will be impassable. A mysterious stranger will cross your path. The howls of wolves will pierce the night.”

Furthermore, quests are transformative. “The pursuit itself shapes your identity and capabilities,” Cain points out. It may also contribute to enhancing the world. Fun, personal growth, positive impact—these are highly motivating factors (consult the provided links for corroborating studies), unlike the daunting and uninspiring aspects of mere goals.

One need not opt for a quest that appears inherently whimsical or epic, Cain reassures his audience. No dragons need be involved in your quest. A quest can be remarkably simple. Perhaps you aim to practice the piano daily for three months, streamline your living space, or develop a new application. What designates an endeavor as a quest is not danger or extravagant circumstances but rather one’s perception of the task at hand.

If you regard an undertaking as an enjoyable adventure and an avenue for personal development, then it is a quest. You are more inclined to complete (and savor) this pursuit rather than simply pursuing yet another formidable but commendable goal.