Redefine Success with a Humanistic Approach to Goal Setting

What if everything you thought you knew about success was wrong? In a culture obsessed with wealth, status, and external validation, it's easy to get caught up in a never-ending chase for more. But what if true success isn't about what you achieve, but who you become?

The Problem with Traditional Success

The relentless pursuit of traditional success metrics – the corner office, the luxury car, the overflowing bank account – often leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a nagging sense of emptiness. Statistics paint a grim picture: A 2021 Work and Wellbeing Survey revealed that 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress. The constant pressure to achieve can leave individuals feeling disconnected from their true selves, sacrificing their well-being for external validation. Chasing these external goals can often lead individuals away from happiness.

Humanistic Psychology: A New Perspective

Humanistic psychology offers a refreshing alternative. Emerging in the mid-20th century as a "third force" in psychology, it challenged the deterministic views of psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Humanistic psychology emphasizes free will, inherent goodness, and the potential for self-actualization. Key figures like Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Viktor Frankl laid the foundation for this approach.

• Abraham Maslow: His hierarchy of needs highlights that once basic needs are met, individuals strive for self-actualization – realizing their full potential.
• Carl Rogers: He emphasized self-acceptance and unconditional positive regard as crucial for personal growth.
• Viktor Frankl: His work, born from his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, underscores the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life, even in the face of immense suffering.

These thinkers believed that true success comes from within – from aligning your life with your values and striving for personal growth.

Identifying Your Core Values

Your core values are the guiding principles that shape your decisions and define what's truly important to you. They are the foundation for your personal definition of success. To identify your core values you can start by asking questions like:

• What moments in your life have felt most meaningful?
• What do you admire most in others?
• When do you feel most alive and engaged?

You can also examine lists of values and refine them until you identify your top 5. Consider the values that you would be will to stand by no matter the cost. WonderSage also has a useful blog post to help you to live authentically with a humanistic approach to self-discovery.

Setting Authentic Goals

Once you've clarified your values, you can begin to set goals that align with them. This creates a sense of purpose and intrinsic motivation, making the journey itself rewarding, regardless of the outcome.

Here's how to set value-based goals:

1. Reflect on your values: How can your goals reflect your core values?
2. Set Intentions: What actions are needed to live in alignment with these values?
3. Be Specific using SMART goals: Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to make your goals concrete, but ensure they connect back to a core value.

For example, if one of your core values is "learning," a SMART goal might be: "Read one non-fiction book per month for the next six months to expand my knowledge in a new area." If your core value is "making an impact," a SMART goal might be: "Volunteer two hours per week at my local animal shelter for a year."

WonderSage has some insightful information in their blog post Redefine Success and Craft a Life That Truly Matters.

Measuring Success Beyond Achievement

Traditional success metrics focus on external achievements. A humanistic approach encourages a broader perspective, emphasizing:

• Personal Growth: How have you grown and developed as a person?
• Learning: What new skills or knowledge have you acquired?
• Contribution: How have you made a positive impact on others or the world?
• Relationships: Have you nurtured meaningful connections with others?
• Well-being: Are you prioritizing your physical and mental health?

These metrics may be less tangible, but they are far more meaningful in the long run. Consider personal satisfaction and your impact on others.

Embracing the Journey

Success, from a humanistic perspective, is not a destination but a continuous process of growth and self-discovery. It's about embracing the journey, learning from setbacks, and staying true to your values. Success is about the journey, not the destination.

WonderSage's blog post Uncover Your True Values and Live an Authentic Life speaks to the importance of authenticity on this journey.

This journey of self-discovery and value-driven goal setting is highly personal. WonderSage's personalized self-help books can provide customized guidance, helping you clarify your values, set meaningful goals, and develop strategies for achieving them.