Uncover Your True Why to Shape Meaningful Goals

In seminar class, Elena learned about the philosopher David Bentley Hart’s concept of intentionality: the mind’s power to direct itself toward what it finds meaningful. Intrigued, she tried a variation of Frost’s “Two Roads” exercise at home. On one spread, she wrote the life story of staying in her comfortable corporate job; on the other, the one of launching her own bakery. She listed imagined achievements: stock options under one, bestselling cupcake recipes under the other. She also jotted regrets—missed morning cuddles with her partners, an unfulfilled childhood dream of teaching.

Reading them side by side, she realized her corporate climb, while safe, left her hollow. The bakery path scared her but lit her up. That emotional pull, researchers call phainesthai—“that which reveals itself”—and it points directly to your ikigai, or reason for being. Elena circled the goals that resonated most and rewrote them as SMART goals: "Open a Sunday morning pop-up bakery in six months," with monthly revenue targets.

Behavioral economics teaches us that goals anchored in intrinsic values, rather than external rewards, produce higher motivation and resilience. Elena’s reflection dug into her true motivations—community, creativity, independence—and shaped goals that now felt personal and urgent.

By uncovering the real “why” behind her ambitions, Elena found a clear compass for her efforts. What once was a vague desire to “be happier” crystallized into a purposeful plan, deeply aligned with her inner value system.

Set aside two blank spreads and write contrasting life narratives: one comfortable but uninspiring, and one risky but meaningful. Compare them to identify which achievements you value most, then turn those into SMART goals. Circle the goals that spark real passion—you’ll carry those forward as your personal compass. The clarity you gain tonight can guide your choices for months to come.