Secrets of Living Without a Goal
They say that life without a goal is meaningless. Without clear plans, time is wasted, and days and years slip by. However, a new movement has emerged whose members believe that planning your life can actually be harmful. Let’s take a closer look at this idea.
The Banker Who Played the Drums
People who try not to look too far into the future often reference Stephen Shapiro’s book, Goal-Free Living. Their main argument is that by following a strict plan, you might miss out on the most interesting things in life, and the end result may not bring the satisfaction you hoped for (in fact, a third of people surveyed by psychologists complained about this).
In an old Soviet film, A Scandalous Incident in Brickmill, a bank employee who lives strictly by the rules suddenly starts doing what he wants: buying himself toys, playing the drums, and skipping work. For the first time, he feels joy and energy, but those around him think he’s lost his mind. Of course, those who don’t want to live “by the book” aren’t suggesting you abandon all responsibilities and hit rock bottom. Taking care of finances, for them, is just another “little thing in life,” like brushing your teeth: necessary, but done on autopilot. They’re also not advocating for endless parties and entertainment—those don’t energize you, but rather leave you feeling empty.
True joy, they say, comes from things that are exciting, passionately desired, and truly needed. After all, you don’t plan every detail of a date with someone you love if you’re burning with anticipation to see them, do you?
Often, what’s supposed to bring future success contradicts what you want right now. For example, to build muscle, you need to work out regularly. But what if you’d rather go for a walk? Then go for a walk! Hit the gym when you’re sure you’ll enjoy it.
Compass or Map?
Stephen Shapiro compares plans to a map, where the straight, safe paths are often boring. Focusing only on your interests is like using a compass—it lets you wander as you please, occasionally checking your direction.
So, should you throw away your planner? There’s no clear winner in this debate, because each lifestyle only suits certain people. Most fans of spontaneity are right-brained thinkers: they can multitask, see the big picture, and don’t like dividing things into “main” and “secondary.” For left-brained people, though, this kind of “free-floating” brings discomfort. They need a sense of perspective, and their self-esteem grows from self-discipline and overcoming challenges. If you send such a person on a vacation with no plans, they’ll get bored. So, figure out what’s more comfortable for you—thinking about the present or the future. If it’s the present, a “compass” is enough; if it’s the future, you’ll need a “map.”
Stephen Shapiro’s Secrets to Living Without Goals
- Don’t be afraid to get lost.
There are no right or wrong decisions in life. Taking a detour or making a “wrong” turn is just a chance to gain new experience. - Look for lucky opportunities.
Always be open to new possibilities that can appear where you least expect them. Living without strict plans helps you seize opportunities you might otherwise miss. - Value what you have, not what you might get.
Enjoy the moment. Appreciate the “bird in the hand,” not the “crane in the sky.” Love yourself here and now, not just the version of yourself you hope to become. Remember, a person’s value isn’t in their achievements. - Seek out adventure.
Living without a goal isn’t about being lazy—it’s a chance to experience a rich and varied life. Don’t miss opportunities to see and try new things: cities, hobbies, jobs, people. Every day brings new chances for small discoveries. - Don’t focus on the outcome.
Focusing on a future goal can make you emotionally dependent on results, and not reaching them can lead to disappointment or even depression. Many goals are simply out of reach, no matter how hard you try. Instead, do things you can drop whenever you want. Aimless activities are like a child’s play—constantly changing, not worrying about the “why,” and usually full of joy. This way, you recharge for new endeavors.
Personally, I’d add that both lifestyles are completely valid, since everything is relative, and what works for one person may not work for another. This is due to personal preferences, individual awareness, perception, and the unique meaning each person assigns to different aspects of life. In fact, I believe these two approaches should be combined, just at different levels. Planning and goal-setting are very important, but they should mainly apply to your career or top priorities—what you most want to achieve. For example, you might have a goal, and to reach it, you need to work on certain tasks daily, weekly, or on specific days, so that by the end of the week or month, you’ve made measurable progress and eventually reach your “destination.” The main purpose of planning is to schedule your top priorities and complete them within set timeframes.
However, it’s not a good idea to fixate on a specific scenario for how your goal “should” happen. You have a goal and a plan—focus on following them, but let everything else unfold naturally. After all, you never know what success might be waiting for you just around the corner. It could be much closer or more significant than you imagine. Also, don’t force yourself to plan every aspect of your life (unless it truly brings you satisfaction). Learn to enjoy life and look forward to whatever surprises the next turn may bring. Good luck!
P.S. Although, you know, we’re all going to die anyway 🙂