Reimagining Goal Setting: A Perspective from Saadhguru

Saadhguru, born as Jagadish Vasudev on September 3, 1957, is a renowned Indian spiritual teacher and the founder of the Isha Foundation, based in Coimbatore, India.

If you follow any motivational youtube channels, instagram accounts, or Tik Tok accounts, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him before.

SInce his opinion is so popular for many aspects of life, we wanted to dive into his thoughts on setting goals

Let’s dive into what he has to say.

The Inherent Limitations Of Traditional Goal Setting

The first point Saadhguru makes is that traditional goal setting is flawed. He argues that focusing solely on a specific goal is not the most effective approach.

This, he suggests, is because when we set goals, we do so based on our current level of understanding and knowledge. Therefore, if you’re 20 years old, your present knowledge won’t be as extensive as it will be in a decade. Consequently, setting life goals based on this limited perspective may not be the wisest course of action.

As we mature and evolve, we may discover that the goals we initially set no longer align with our evolved selves.

So, how can we navigate this quandary? Let’s dive into Saadhguru’s next point to uncover his unique solution.

Mango tree Analogy From Saadhguru

His recommendation is to focus solely on the process. He pushes this point forward with a mango tree analogy.

“If you want mangoes in your house, you don’t have to think of mangoes, you have to think of soil, you have to think of manure, you have to think of water, you have to think of sunlight. None of them look or taste like mangoes, but if you take care of those things, mangoes will come.” – Saadhguru

Here are some examples applying Saadhugru’s mango tree analogy to real life.

Scenario 1: Pursuing a Career

Instead of being fixated on a specific job title or company (the mango), focus on acquiring relevant skills, gaining knowledge, building professional relationships, and fostering work ethic (the soil, manure, water, sunlight). These elements, while they don’t resemble the end goal, are crucial to nurturing your career (the mango tree) and eventually leading you to your desired position (the mangoes).

Scenario 2: Achieving Fitness Goals

If your goal is to run a marathon (the mango), don’t simply dream about the finish line. Instead, pay attention to your daily training, nutritional intake, rest, and mental preparation (the soil, manure, water, sunlight). By dedicating yourself to these elements, you’re more likely to successfully complete the marathon and possibly even exceed your initial expectations.

Scenario 3: Building Strong Relationships

For those seeking a strong, loving relationship (the mango), it’s important not to rush to the “happily ever after.” Invest time in understanding your partner, effective communication, shared experiences, and conflict resolution (the soil, manure, water, sunlight). With these ingredients, the relationship will naturally progress and mature (the mangoes).

Scenario 4: Building a Successful Business

If your ultimate goal is to build a successful enterprise (the mango), focus on creating a viable business plan, developing a quality product or service, cultivating customer relationships, and improving based on feedback (the soil, manure, water, sunlight). By doing so, the chances of achieving your end goal become significantly higher.

Embrace Devotion Over Goal Orientation

Diving deeper into devotion over goal orientation, Saadghuru has a few great points.

Here are a few ways devotion could help rather than focusing 100% on your goal.

Enhanced Abilities through Devotion

Saadhguru postulates that our abilities to carry out tasks and solve problems are significantly enhanced when we are fully devoted to what we are doing. By channeling all our energy and concentration into our work, we are more equipped to overcome obstacles, learn new skills, and produce high-quality results.

Alleviating Stress and Anxiety

One of the pitfalls of being overly goal-oriented is the stress and anxiety that come with the pressure to achieve those goals within a certain timeframe. By shifting our focus to being devoted to the process, we can reduce this stress and foster mindfulness. This perspective encourages us to appreciate the journey and derive joy from our everyday tasks, leading to a healthier mental state.

Unlocking Potential: Growth Through Devotion

A significant advantage of choosing devotion over goal-orientation, as per Saadhguru, is the potential for growth and the discovery of our true capabilities. Instead of restricting ourselves to the confines of our pre-set goals, devotion allows us to explore and seize new opportunities and experiences that arise during our journey. This flexibility paves the way for unexpected and often rewarding outcomes.