Theo Tsaousides Ph. D.

Achieving a goal requires effort, and effort requires motivation. But motivation during the pursuit of a goal can wax and wane. The effects of this variability can range from unwanted delays to abandoning the goal altogether. To maintain our motivation we are often advised to go back to the fundamental question of “why.”  What is the drive? Why is it that we want to achieve a particular goal?

A question people ask me often is “How do I know I’m working on the right goal?”  And in no area of life is this question more important than choosing a career. Choosing a career can be a life-long process that involves not only a significant amount of time and money, but also a lot of self-exploration. Choosing a career is the kind of goal that we hope to get right the first time. We spend the majority of our day at work. We define ourselves by what we do.

Failure is scary. The emotional consequences of failing can be devastating. For many of us, failure becomes a reflection of our abilities and self-worth, and as a result, failing to reach a personal goal translates into failing as a person. Nevertheless, in recent years, and thanks to a wealth of information and anecdotes found in the media and the self-improvement literature, we have taken a different approach to failure. We recognize failure as an integral component of success.