Aiming Up - The Ultimate Sense Of Direction

I believe a major problem with many is that they rely too heavily on their goals. They expect them to make them happy, to make them feel fulfilled, and use them as a sign of success.

What we seem to forget, however, is that the version of us who sets the target is rarely the same as the person who reaches it, and it’s the change that occurs in between that causes the problem.

On the way to achieving the goal, you may no longer want it, you may fall out of love with the pursuit of it, and what you experience on the way may present a much different, and sometimes more worthy goal.

What happens then is you’re made to feel like a quitter, you attribute all of the work you’ve done to the goal you’re never going to reach, you see the work as a waste of time, and you now feel like a failure. 

The reason I said people rely too heavily on their goals is that I don’t think they should be the reason. I don’t think you should grow as a result of setting goals, I believe you should set goals as a result of wanting to grow.

Essentially, goals should come as a consequence of something else, something much more worthy of your time, attention and effort.

Aiming Up

That something else should be aiming up, but what does that even mean?

Aiming up is a commitment to something better. It’s an agreement with yourself that, no matter what, you’ll keep going, keep striving for more, working towards improvement.

No matter what you currently dislike about your life or situation, aiming up gives you a way out.

Something you realise very quickly in life is that nothing will ever be enough, just like how we look up to millionaires, they look up to billionaires. And let's not forget the homeless who look at us the same way.

No matter what we get or how much money we make, it does nothing for our true fulfilment. As humans, we’re always going to be looking ahead.

What aiming up does is, instead of fighting it, it uses it to our advantage. If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em.

This doesn’t mean always aiming to make more money, it means always looking and paying attention to ways of turning ourselves into better versions, regardless of what that entails. 

So, when you no longer want the thing you’ve been working for, you delve deep and use it to help you figure out something you do, getting closer and closer to your true calling.

If you sacrifice your relationships in order to achieve a figure in your bank account, well then you’re not really aiming up, as aiming up means being the best COMPLETE version of yourself as possible.

I’m not saying don’t have goals, I’m saying have something that goals are of service to, something bigger. 

Selfishness Serves Selflessness

You might be thinking that if your only goal is to solely focus on being a better version of yourself, then it’s a very self-obsessed and selfish way of being, but I completely disagree.

The first point I’d like to make is that being the best version of yourself in every way includes being the best version of whoever you are to others. It means being a better father, son, brother or husband. Aim up in every single way.

Besides that, what makes you think you’re capable of helping others?

Sometimes, showing up for yourself is the only way to show up for others. Otherwise, you’ll do neither. 

Remember the old saying, you shouldn't pour from an empty cup. You should be overflowing, and give them the spill.

Fill yourself beyond sufficiency, so what you give doesn’t cost you!

Aiming up is a deep sense of direction that excludes shallow pursuits, it’s there, lurking in the background, guiding your thoughts, actions and choices.

It makes the best out of any situation, meaning whatever life throws at you, aiming up is still an option. It’s the ultimate purpose, regardless of how vague it may seem.

Want an extraordinary, self-fulfilling life full of direction? Aim up.