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You Are Chasing The Wrong Goals

Sisyphus 55 | December 28, 2025



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Sources:
https://www.njlifehacks.com/intrinsic-goals-vs-extrinsic-goals/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306055669_Examining_Intrinsic_versus_Extrinsic_Exercise_Goals_Cognitive_Affective_and_Behavioral_Outcomes

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Written by Sisyphus 55

Comments

This post currently has 45 comments.

  2. @matthewholmquist8870

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    I was going to make a joke about this channel should be called nothing’s good enough, than I saw it’s called Sisyphus, so 🙁 anyhow it’s just sad is all kinda, but I suppose I would pursue perfection forever as long as I am achieving it.

  5. @killercore007

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    3:20 This is what happens when parents would rather use money and lies to "help" their children than actually give real support. The children become corrupt by it, then later in life, they become the corruption.

  10. @thegoddamnsun5657

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    Well not really because the outcome of an extrinsic goal will lead to happiness, maybe not for the aloneness part but with money you can just buy anything and with impeccable talent you are prone to impressing most people

  14. @usyan

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    When you talk about that "goals" I just thought that you were describing me. I know something was wrong with me and I have been searching for the reason. You just express them so well. I have a highly demanding father who have absurdly perfect model of ideal son. Ideal son should be physically strong, athletic, always getting the highest grades, obedient to him, better than everyone at everything. I did pretty good in my education. I was in the top 100 in university entrance exams in my country but even that wasn't enough fir him because there were 22 people above me. I am a failure in terms of sports too. Due to my physical conditions I can't run and lift much. These conditions were birth-related and not my fault but he doesn't care. His ideal son should be perfect. I have zero self-esteem and pursuing this goals you just described. I want to be a data scientist not because I like programming or math ( despite I like them) I want it because I think it will get me respect and enough money to get the autonomy. I also want to write books I like that too but when I think about it deeply I see that I don't want to do it because I like it. I want to write books because deep inside I think people will understand me after they read them. When I think these I understand these goals are all shallow and pointless and make the things i like and enjoy meaningless. I know the reasons but don't know the solution. Doesn't matter how hard I try I can't change this aspect of myself. It is related to my childhood and can't be changed. I just accepted them as they are.

  16. @Bababooey759

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    Man all of my intrinsic goals are niche shit that nobody will recognize me for, and while I find some enjoyment in them, all they have me do is sit around on my ass alone. I'd like to find more friends but none of my goals are helping with that, idk if its because I never got it as a kid or any of that bs but I feel like i need some external factor to tell me that my efforts are worth it because I do not believe in myself when i try to motivate myself.

  21. @blessedafricarains6429

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    I do believe i was on the right track from the start because my two main goals were to become rich enough that i can retire early and that is so i can be freed from the rather draining regular job and so i can travel the world and deepen my understanding of it the second one is to lose weight and become fit enough to do things like parkour or rock climbing and that is to keep my self in good health and also to have freedom of movement in addition to having a body i don't regret having

  23. @vccv9785

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    I am amazed how many times these ancient concepts from bhagwad Geeta and other Hindu literature comes up in " self help ". ( Nishkam karma being the one discussed here )

  24. @Name-ot3xw

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    I'm currently chasing my goals purely for the vanity of it, I'm not afraid of that fact. Cost-benefit analysis puts achieving the goals roughly on par with not bothering, I'm just in it for the fancy papers they give me.

  28. @sebastianm.6669

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    the video title should be: chasing goals is stupid.

    By chasing goals you postpone your own life indefinitely.
    It's better to focus on the process rather than the outcome.
    When you do something intrinsically, you're doing it for its own sake,
    and not because it will produce fame and wealth.
    Intrinsic motivation fuels your core needs in the present.

  29. @TimBitten

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    The worse way to be is to lean in to the notion that nothing is “truly worth accomplishing” and end up so weakened as to be unable to survive in the world as a result.

  34. @williambarrett1234

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    A lot of people seem to think the moral of the story here is to do nothing.
    Fame is a lie but the JOURNEY of achieving passions, so skill development, is the fucking best feeling in the world.

  37. @Stormiedormie

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    I'm someone on the opposite side. I have been indulging in the question of why for so long now that I see people with my potential reach heights while I'm still stuck with the same question. You never get an answer, it's good to ask and be self aware and weigh your options but don't go into this rabbit whole because the answer doesn't exist. You are given a life and just live. Be authentic, be real and live. Keep moving.

  40. @TheDirthound

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    My goal(s) are to harness the power of attention and focus, to better understand how my mind works so I don't miss out on what is right in front of me or miss opportunities. Improving my ability to apply critical thinking and improving my thinking in general is also of great importance.

  41. @derinwithaq5811

    December 28, 2025 at 10:29 am

    What about goals that help others? Like, you don’t get much out of it (aside from that feeling of having done good that I guess some people get), yet it benefits other people and makes them feel better? Are those bad, or good?

Comments are closed.

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