Aspirational goals are valuable โ they give us direction, energy, and a sense of purpose. But when our goals are so far removed from our current reality that they demand constant strain, they stop inspiring us and start draining us. Iโve seen people push themselves so hard toward unrealistic targets that the journey becomes miserable, and burnout becomes inevitable.
A healthier approach is to set goals that are ambitious but achievable, built on progressive thresholds rather than one giant leap. Think of it as creating a ladder instead of a cliff. Each threshold represents a meaningful step forward, something you can realistically reach from where you are now. As you meet each one, you build confidence, momentum, and clarity for the next.
Big dreams are wonderful โ but theyโre best pursued through steady, sustainable progress. Structure your goals so they stretch you without breaking you, and youโll stay motivated long enough to actually reach them.