Why keeping your goals secret can help you succeed more easily?

Individuals often have their own aspirations and objectives, with common themes including fitness, career fulfillment, or acquiring new skills. As inherently social beings, we frequently discuss our goals with others. However, have you noticed the effects of sharing these aspirations? Sometimes, it can feel easier to fail than to succeed. This piece will explore three scenarios that arise when you divulge your goals and the importance of shaping your mindset. The first scenario is one that many seek when sharing their ambitions: receiving supportive, affirming, and motivating responses like “I believe in you,” “You’re amazing, go for it,” or “You can achieve this.” Reaching a goal often requires numerous steps, and failing to move forward can lead to disappointment. Even before taking a single action, sharing your aspirations and garnering positive feedback triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, creating a sense of excitement as if the goal has already been accomplished. This phenomenon, known as early gratification, can, however, diminish your motivation and resolve to take real action. What can be done about this? Another issue is that the enjoyment of discussing your plans and receiving encouragement may lead to excessive sharing with others. If you continuously talk about your goals without making progress, those around you, including your boss, may begin to lose faith in your words, which can shift their support to skepticism about your abilities. Consider a friend who enjoys socializing without any worries, yet every time you meet, he elaborates on a job opportunity as if he has secured it. Although the position offers a low salary and requires overtime, he remains in the same role month after month, repeating the same narrative. By the fifth time he mentions it, everyone in the group doubts his intentions. While it’s fine to talk about the job, if he claims he will leave, he should follow through. After multiple assurances, faith in his promise wanes. I have personally faced similar challenges when it comes to weight loss, job changes, or learning new skills. This situation often escalates when one becomes more popular. Generally, sharing your goals appears to be a positive endeavor, resulting in support and constructive feedback. However, the downside is that you might receive advice that is unnecessary or unrelated to your objectives, which can lead to confusion and steer you further away from your goals.

The initial step is when you select a major and a school prior to starting university. If you choose your major and take exams in private, there won't be any issues. However, if you announce your major choice on social media, numerous consultants will suddenly appear offering their opinions. Some may advise you to pursue a career for financial gain, while others might suggest otherwise. You may feel more inclined towards teaching, but your parents may prefer you to study banking and finance for a more lucrative career. If you are firm in your decision from the start, you will likely remain on track. Conversely, if you are easily influenced by promises of high salaries or job availability, you might end up in a field that doesn't truly interest you. This could lead to regret later on or even an immediate career change, requiring considerable effort, time, and money to start anew. This doesn’t mean you should ignore the advice of adults; their suggestions often stem from care and a desire to see you succeed. However, each individual has their own experiences, insights, and biases. You cannot apply someone else's experiences to your own aspirations. Only you can determine your desires, passions, strengths, and the subjects that resonate with you. It's essential to selectively absorb information and advice to make informed decisions. The third scenario is one that many strive to avoid. In the first case, support and guidance foster a sense of normalcy and happiness. In this situation, however, it revolves around the jealousy and resentment from others. This can manifest in various ways. The first level consists of individuals who quietly envy your success or criticize you in silence if you fail. The next group is more visible online; they don’t directly impact your goals but will seek to undermine you by influencing others. Their most common behaviors include gossiping behind your back or distancing themselves from you.

Make an effort to pursue a goal that can positively influence your life, then quietly work towards it. Achieving this goal will likely boost your confidence significantly. This newfound confidence will motivate you to set another goal and continue your progress in silence. Thank you for following the entire narrative. If you have any thoughts, whether in agreement or disagreement, feel free to share them in the comments below. Until next time, stay calm and good luck.