Less is More: Focusing on Fewer Goals Leads to Greater Success

Today's Oracle Card Lineup

This post was inspired by the reminders I was given today in drawing oracle cards. For the last few months, I've been focusing on letting go and narrowing down goals. I had been running at a to-do list for the first half of 2024 (ok, really this goes back into last year too) that felt like it was growing faster than I could check things off. Running faster and rushing to get more and more done did less to eliminate the big list and more to set me up for a big burnout this fall.

You might be thinking, "I'm really good at multi-tasking!", but you are more likely comfortable with the juggling from years and years of experience and societal expectations than actually better for multi-tasking. As a rule, humans are more successful focusing on one thing at a time, and that includes goals.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who focused on a single goal were 33% more likely to achieve it compared to those who pursued multiple goals simultaneously.

After blowing right past my personal burnout capacity this fall, I leaned heavily into the concept of "hygge," a Danish term that emphasizes finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. Hygge encourages us to prioritize coziness, contentment, and meaningful connections over material possessions and endless striving. I do a generally good job of enjoying simple pleasures: a long bath with a Lush bath bomb, candlelight for dinner, savoring homemade bread. Where I needed to focus was the endless striving piece. I was asking for too much, too quickly: from myself and the universe.

By focusing on a limited number of meaningful goals, I was able to:

• Increase my success: Where it was most important to me! I had to get clear about what the most important things were and consistently find a way to keep those in focus.

• Reduce stress and anxiety: The constant pressure to achieve multiple goals was incredibly stressful. By simplifying and acknowledging the unhealthy pace I was operating at, I was able to keep perspective.

• Prioritize self-care: Focusing on fewer goals allowed me to create more space for self-care activities – activities that nourished and energized me for when things got difficult.

  
  

So, how can you apply this to your own life?

• Identify your top 1-3 goals: What truly excites you? What will bring you the most fulfillment? From there, make a plan to tackle them in priority order.

• Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities that bring you joy, such as reading, spending time in nature, journaling, or enjoying a warm cup of tea.

• Embrace the journey: Remember that progress is not often linear! Celebrate small victories and be kind to yourself along the way.

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By embracing a simpler approach and focusing on what truly matters, we can cultivate a more fulfilling and joyful life.

What are a few meaningful goals you're setting for yourself as we come into 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below!