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The world is a barrel of waste, mediocrity, failure, unhappiness, and confusion.

Everybody wants something. Few get it. The majority of society simply flounders about in frustration, “hoping” and “wishing” Lady Luck would bless them with the life they desire while drowning their dismay in distractions and sipping the bitter remedy of self-rationalization as Father Time strums along.

Why is this the case? What is the root cause?

There are several reasons why this is the case, however one stands far above the rest and is often last in the line of regression when we follow the trail through time in the blame game.

They do not clearly define and honor their goals.

When it comes to your results, this is where it all begins and ends.

The Power of Purpose

Everything in life is a means to an end – even if upon first glance this does not appear to be the case.

Actions and the results they inevitably create are nothing more than the fruits of desires planted in your mind that spring forth into reality.

Therefore, if you know the ends you wish to see in your life, then it becomes a simple matter of determining how best to bridge that gap from your current state to your idealized state.

This is your God given right and ability as a human being.

You are at point A.

You want to be at point B.

Now how to get there.

By concretely establishing your goal, you plant your stake in the future and establish the foundation upon which everything that you do will be built off of and judged by.

Life is a liquid that will adapt to its conditions and flow to the path of least resistance. You must establish and act in accordance with your goals to channel that life and provide structure. This is the difference between lounging back and sipping fine wine in a crystal glass or having it splatter all over the floor.

Either you decide your outcomes or life and others who do know what they want will do it for you.

I trust you know that you have immense potential and have the choice to live however you damn well please. So don’t leave something so valuable to chance.

• In fitness.
• In business.
• In life.

If it matters to you, you must have a goal.

Limited Resources

A curious question.

What would you do with a bulging, bottomless bank account?

Lavish parties. Excursions abroad. Poppin’ bottles with the models mile high.

Lovely. But is this your reality?

You wish. The truth is that you are bound by the resources available to you and must ‘budget’ them appropriately. Most notably, these are:

• Time
• Space
• Energy
• Money

Indeed, even precious little life itself is a limited resource.

Your days are numbered, and your number may be called at any time. You are here one day and ashes the next. Grieved over for a blink of time until you’re gone in a gust of wind amidst the narcissistic noise of the net screaming from beyond the screen staring back into the lifeless eyes of civilization.

Therefore, you must ensure that you are allocating your available resources properly towards achieving your concrete objectives.

Your moves must be calculated, deliberate, and precise. Like a laser cutting through the chaos to slice through diamonds.

You do not act ‘just cause’. You do not act on ‘feeling’. This is bullshit. You act because this takes you closer to your goal. Period.

The simplest way of doing this is by continuously asking yourself…

The Fundamental Question

The beauty of the goal is its power as the ultimate test. It’s the standard by which you judge your progress and everything related to that goal.

Indeed, I do believe this is why many shy away from clearly declaring and defining their behaviors by a goal. It gives them a comfy cop-out veil so they can rationalize their mediocrity and lackadaisical languishing.

In any case, to keep you on track there exists one simple yet superb question to ask yourself regarding your actions and any outcomes pertaining to your goals:

“How does this support your goal?”

If it doesn’t, it must be either eliminated, minimized, or accepted as a trade off. Ignorance is not an option. Desires are a dime a dozen and excuses don’t count in the game of life. You either put up or shut the hell up. Your resources are limited, and what you do must be congruent with your goal. 

If I – or anyone – were to point at what you are doing in any area of your life, you had damn well better have an explanation that’s congruent to your goal.

Why are you doing that workout?

Why are you doing that diet?

Why are you spending your money in this way?

Why is your daily schedule like this?

And if I could see inside the spinning gears within your mind…

Why are you thinking these thoughts?

As I wrote in Architect of Aesthetics:

You must be able to satisfactorily justify everything in your training program, diet, or life.

To do this will require diligence, dedication, and discipline.

You must find what works and stick to the path despite the temptations, distractions, and confusion. Your goals will provide your refuge there, but be there no mistake: Accomplishing your goals is a constant test of mental fortitude and courageous, rigorous self reflection.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

When you consistently act in accordance with this question and seek continuous improvement of your approach, you will hit paydirt. Maybe now. Maybe later. You shall succeed.

Your attempts may be misguided and far from perfect. But we can work on that. Only if and when the goal is clearly defined.

Because by picking your target and aiming with intent, even if you don’t hit the bullseye you’ll still throw points up on the board. And that’s the difference between winning and poking your own eye out.

A Gallery of Goals

Of course, life is a mixed bag of various pursuits.

Admittedly, designating and explaining all of the goals in life is remarkably complex, individual, and beyond the scope and intent of this article, however here are my suggestions to get you started and thinking in the right direction. The particulars will vary.

Overall life level

• Happiness: the ultimate end the likes of which is comprised of several of the following…

Career Level

• Provide value in a way that utilizes your strengths and talents, pursues your passions, fulfills you, and covers your financial needs (note: negotiable and lower than you think)

Physical Level

• Proper health and function
• Aesthetic or Athletic pursuits

Financial Level

• Cover your needs and style of life
• Financial independence

Determine your priorities. Rank them. These are most often not mutually exclusive and do not present inherent conflicts. If there are, seek harmony. If unable, tough decisions will have to be made. In general, the fewer the goals and overlap, the better. You cannot be everywhere at once.

Now clearly, designating goals is valuable in every area, however when the pillars are firmly established, the rest can fall where it may given its relative unimportance in the context of the bigger picture.

This is the power of proper and purposeful prioritization.

Conclusion

Now it is time to take your first step.

What is it that you desire?

Sit.

Reflect.

Determine your goals. This is what it all comes down to.

In fact, the goal is so critical that the elders of ancient times convened to declare it as Law #1 of the Architect of Aesthetics :

VICTORY results from driven FOCUS.

You must know EXACTLY what you want. Only THEN are you unstoppable in your pursuit.

Indecision and fickleness will lead to little more than defeat and time sifting through your fingers like grains of sand to be lost in the wind and never return.

When you’re strong on both sides, you’re weak on both sides. Pick your path and be congruent through and through.

– Yours Truly, Architect of Aesthetics

And don’t you forget it.