Welcome back to The Conscious Edge. I’m Alecia St. Germain, and today I’m excited to share an insightful conversation I had with my good friend and wellness advocate, Jonathan Dugger. We dove into something I think we all wrestle with—how to balance ambitious, long-term goals with everyday happiness and fulfillment. Jonathan and I both come from entrepreneurial backgrounds, and over the years, we’ve seen how easily people can get bogged down by the “grind” and lose sight of the joy in the journey.
In our chat, we uncovered some crucial ideas on how to avoid burnout by grounding our goals in what truly matters, not just to society or corporate checklists but to us as individuals. So many people delay their happiness, thinking, “I’ll be happy once I hit X goal,” but as Jonathan said, this mindset can lead to years of dissatisfaction. Instead, we believe that the journey should be fulfilling now, not just at some distant finish line.
One of the key takeaways Jonathan emphasized was the importance of celebrating small victories. When we lose sight of these small wins, we’re more likely to lose motivation altogether. Instead, Jonathan advocates for a focus on mindful, incremental steps toward our dreams, enjoying and appreciating each step along the way.
I shared a bit about my journey to balance work and family goals. Just recently, I prioritized my family’s short-term goal of finishing our family room over immediate business tasks. I asked myself, “What will matter more a year from now?” It was a meaningful moment, one that reminded me of the importance of staying present.
Jonathan brought up a fantastic point about aligning our goals with our personal values, rather than external expectations. Often, we end up chasing goals that don’t reflect our true dreams, whether those goals were influenced by society, family, or old aspirations. When we take the time to truly understand what drives us, we make choices that feel authentic and fulfilling.
Above all, today’s conversation is a reminder to give yourself space to dream. Goals are essential, but they’re not the end-all-be-all. Our dreams, the big-picture ideas that reflect our deepest desires, are what fuel us. This dream, or vision, helps us create goals that align with our values, making each step toward them rewarding and joyful.
As we wrapped up, we both felt renewed in our belief that the journey toward any big-picture goal gets to be joyful and enriching. Remember to celebrate the small wins. Let your goals evolve with you, and make sure your dreams are guiding you toward the life you want, not just the one that looks good on paper.
Having someone to help you redefine and reassess can be an invaluable resource for staying on track with the real intention for the goals you are pursuing. That’s what a good coach, advocate, accountability partner can do for you.
Our true self lives where we allow ourselves to dream from a deep place in our soul. Hear what a dream without limitations can really look like. It’s what truly drives what we find joyful and rewarding. It’s embracing the idea of being happy now, not being happy when. . .
If you’re looking for support defining your goals, or creating new goals that are more aligned, you can start here.
Sending you so much love and be well!
Resources:
Episode 5: 4 Unhealthy Goal Habits and What to Do Differently
