Desperation vs. Inspiration: The Secret to Setting Achievable Goals
Stop setting desperation goals that drain you. Set inspiration goals that light you up - and watch how quickly your life transforms.
We’ve all done it - set a massive, life-changing goal, convinced it will motivate us to push harder and finally achieve success. But instead of fueling us with energy, that goal just sits there, looming like an impossible mountain to climb. Instead of excitement, we feel pressure, frustration, and ultimately, defeat.
The problem? We set desperation goals - goals that come from a place of lack, fear, or unrealistic expectations. Instead, the key to lasting success is setting inspiration goals - goals that ignite passion, creativity, and action. Let’s break down the difference and discover how shifting your approach can transform your life.
What Are Desperation Goals?
Desperation goals are rooted in anxiety and scarcity. They come from a place of needing something right now rather than building something meaningful over time.
For example: "I will earn a million dollars in 2025."
If you don’t truly believe this is possible, this goal does nothing but create pressure, anxiety and negativity. Instead of inspiring action, it overwhelms you. Every time you think about it, you feel behind, inadequate, or unworthy. It becomes a source of stress rather than motivation.
Signs You’re Setting a Desperation Goal:
- You don’t actually believe it’s possible.
- It’s driven by fear, lack, or external pressure rather than excitement.
- It makes you feel anxious or discouraged rather than motivated.
- You have no real plan and are not taking active small steps to get there.
Desperation goals create an unhealthy cycle of self-doubt. You set them, fail to achieve them, feel bad about yourself, and then repeat the process - never making real progress.
What Are Inspiration Goals?
Inspiration goals, on the other hand, come from passion, curiosity, and joy. They align with what excites you and feels possible, even if they stretch you outside your comfort zone.
For example: "I’m going to start a side hustle doing (add your thing) I love."
This goal fires you up. It excites you because it’s connected to something you enjoy - something that feels right in your soul. Instead of creating pressure, it creates momentum. Instead of fear, it sparks creativity and action.
Signs You’ve Set an Inspiration Goal:
- You feel energized and excited when you think about it.
- It aligns with your passions or interests.
- You’re excited about taking action - small, consistent steps to reach it.
- It feels doable and doesn’t trigger self-doubt.
Inspiration goals allow you to enjoy the journey instead of obsessing over the end result. They make taking action feel natural rather than forced.
How to Shift from Desperation to Inspiration Goals
If you’ve been setting goals that leave you feeling drained, it’s time to switch your approach. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start with What Excites You
Instead of asking, “What do I need to achieve to be successful?” ask:
💡 “What do I love so much that I’d do it even if I weren’t getting paid?”
That’s where your inspiration lies. If you’re naturally drawn to something, you’ll be far more likely to take action and stick with it.
2. Set Goals That Feel Expansive, Not Heavy
A desperation goal feels like a weight on your shoulders. An inspiration goal feels like a door opening to new possibilities.
🚫 Desperation: “I need to lose 50 pounds as fast as possible.”
✅ Inspiration: “I’m going to start moving my body in ways that feel good to me.”
🚫 Desperation: “I must make six figures this year.”
✅ Inspiration: “I’m going to find creative ways to increase my income doing something I love.”
3. Focus on Action, Not Just Results
Desperation goals are obsessed with the outcome. Inspiration goals focus on enjoying the process.
💡 Instead of, “I have to be successful in six months,” try,
“I’m going to show up every day and take one small step forward.”
When you focus on the daily actions instead of just the result, progress happens naturally.
4. Break It Down Into Small Wins
If your goal is overwhelming, break it into tiny, achievable steps.
For example, if your inspiration goal is to start a business, don’t pressure yourself to make money right away. Start by:
✔ Researching the industry.
✔ Learning from others who are doing what you love.
✔ Offering your skills or product for free to gain experience.
Each small step builds momentum and keeps you excited rather than discouraged.
5. Trust the Process
Desperation is fueled by impatience. Inspiration is fueled by trust.
🚀 Success doesn’t happen overnight. But when you choose goals that light you up, you stay in the game longer, take more inspired action, and naturally create success over time.
Choose Inspiration Over Desperation
The next time you set a goal, ask yourself:
✨ “Does this goal inspire me, or does it stress me out?”
✨ “Am I setting this goal because I love it, or because I feel like I have to?”
✨ “Does this goal make me feel expanded, or does it make me feel trapped?”
If your goal makes you feel heavy, forced, or anxious - it’s probably a desperation goal. Shift your focus to what excites you, take small steps, and trust the process.
Success isn’t about forcing results - it’s about following inspiration. And when you do that, you’ll be amazed at what unfolds in your life.
🔥 So stop setting desperation goals that drain you. Set inspiration goals that light you up - and watch how quickly your life transforms. 🔥
Jeff Hammer – Mindset Architect & Success Strategist
Jeff Hammer is a Mindset Architect and success strategist dedicated to helping individuals break through limiting beliefs, shift their mindset, and unlock their full potential. With decades of entrepreneurial experience, Jeff has built and sold successful businesses, proving firsthand the power of mindset in achieving extraordinary results.
As the founder of DominatingEdge.com, Jeff provides transformational insights, guiding people to reprogram their thinking, overcome self-doubt, and take bold action toward their dreams. His approach blends practical wisdom with high-performance strategies, empowering individuals to create lasting success in business, wealth, and personal growth.
Jeff’s mission is simple: help others master their mindset so they can master their lives.
