You’re amazing at setting goals and hitting them. So why does it still feel like something’s missing? If you’ve ever crushed your to-do list and still felt weirdly empty, this post is for you. I’m going to break down the difference between goal-setting and Visioning, and why one creates lasting change while the other just keeps you busy. Spoiler: your ambition isn’t the problem.
The Goal-Setting Trap
You’ve Achieved So Much. So Why Does It Feel Like You’re on a Treadmill?
Here’s what I see constantly: high-achieving, motivated people who are exceptional at making plans and executing them. They set goals, they hit goals, they set more goals. Rinse and repeat. And yet, something feels off.
Maybe it’s a sense that all these accomplishments aren’t adding up to a unified whole. Maybe it’s the quiet realization that you’ve been chasing things you were “supposed” to want instead of things you actually want. Maybe it’s the exhaustion of always having another box to check.
Goals are finite. You set them, you achieve them, and then you need a new one. That’s not a flaw in you. That’s a flaw in the system. When your entire framework for success is “achieve the thing,” you’re always one accomplishment away from fulfillment. And that finish line keeps moving.
What a Vision Actually Is (And Isn’t)
Your Vision Isn’t a Dream Board. It’s Your Decision-Making Filter.
I define a Vision very specifically: it’s your definition of success at a specific point in the future. And I need you to hear this part loud and clear: it’s not fluffy. It’s not about manifesting or vision boards or “living your best life.” It’s a practical, down-to-earth tool that fundamentally changes how you make decisions.
One of my favorite examples is a client named Sarah who wanted a Cuisinart stand mixer. A goal-setter would buy the mixer, check the box, and move on. But Sarah? She gets to experience the joy of baking with that mixer a billion times over the next five years. That’s the difference. A goal is something you achieve once. A Vision is something you get to live into again and again.
And here’s what really matters: a Vision is designed to support you when things get hard. It’s your buoy on good days and your life raft when you’re feeling like crap. We bake the challenges right into it, because real life isn’t all wins and sunshine. Your Vision needs to hold up when it’s Tuesday and you’re exhausted and nothing feels exciting.
How to Shift from Goal-Setting to Visioning
Ready to try a different approach? Here’s where to start:
- Ask yourself what you want to experience repeatedly, not just accomplish once. What are the feelings, moments, and daily rhythms you want to have again and again?
- Let go of “bigger, sexier, more.” Your Vision doesn’t have to be a dramatic reinvention. One of my clients, Alan, realized his Vision was simply to lean into and appreciate the amazing life he already had. That’s valid. That’s powerful.
- Use your Vision as a filter. When an opportunity comes your way, ask: does this move me toward my Vision, or is it a distraction disguised as an opportunity?
Your drive and ambition aren’t the problem. You just need a tool that matches your depth. Start with one of these shifts this week, and see what opens up. I’m cheering for you.
