---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the measurement world, you set a goal…"
description: "\"“In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.”\" — Benjamin Zander"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg"
---

#  In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for…

![“In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.” quote by Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg)

> ““In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.””

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Setting a goal focuses effort, but setting context allows life’s possibilities to emerge.

**In simple terms:** Goals direct action; context invites possibilities.

Key Takeaway

Balance ambition with openness.

Themes

goal‑setting possibility mindfulness

Mood

contemplative inspired

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- project planning
- personal development
- creative work
- spiritual practice

Key Concepts

positive psychology systems thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you define your context?
- When have you let life unfold without a preset goal?

A Different Perspective

Over‑emphasis on goals can limit spontaneity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lessons/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/)

## Related quotes

> [In the measurement world, we set a goal and strive to achieve it. In the universe of possibility, we set the context and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/in-the-measurement-world-we-set-a-goal-and-strive-to-achieve-it-in/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [All the measurement in the world is useless if you don't make any changes based on the data.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-naslund/all-the-measurement-in-the-world-is-useless-if-you-don-t-make-any/)

[Amber Naslund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-naslund/)

> [“Practice makes permentant, never perfection, but perfection is a goal to strive for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-mak/practice-makes-permentant-never-perfection-but-perfection-is-a-goal/)

Jordan Mak

> [Don't strive for somebody else's notion of perfection. It's an unattainable and ultimately ridiculous goal. Strive instead to be uniquely yourself and when in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-vieira/don-t-strive-for-somebody-else-s-notion-of-perfection-it-s-an/)

[Meredith Vieira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-vieira/)

> [Perfection is too high a goal to strive for. Sometimes working hard brings more satisfaction in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-hart/perfection-is-too-high-a-goal-to-strive-for-sometimes-working-hard/)

[Megan Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-hart/)

> [Making it easier for people to connect with their doctors or medical advisors is a goal that we should strive to attain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-lamont/making-it-easier-for-people-to-connect-with-their-doctors-or-medical/)

[Ned Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-lamont/)

> [“Perfection is too high a goal to strive for. Sometimes working hard brings more satisfaction in the end. We appreciate what we’ve almost lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-hart/perfection-is-too-high-a-goal-to-strive-for-sometimes-working-hard-2/)

[Megan Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-hart/)

> [Talent may get someone off the starting blocks faster, but without a sense of direction or a goal to strive for, it won't count…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/talent-may-get-someone-off-the-starting-blocks-faster-but-without-a/)

[David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/)

> [When you set a goal in your mind of what you want to be and you actually achieve that, it's a feeling that's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-swann/when-you-set-a-goal-in-your-mind-of-what-you-want-to-be-and-you/)

[Rich Swann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-swann/)

> [Set a goal, write it down, and release the outcome. Small steps make a big difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-richardson/set-a-goal-write-it-down-and-release-the-outcome-small-steps-make-a/)

[Cheryl Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-richardson/)

> [New year resolutions usually amount to nothing. Instead, set a goal and work towards it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/new-year-resolutions-usually-amount-to-nothing-instead-set-a-goal-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieveing it you become someone worth becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/you-want-to-set-a-goal-that-is-big-enough-that-in-the-process-of/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [I've done a couple of songs which are not up to the mark. So, mentally, I've set a goal that I should be more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arijit-singh/i-ve-done-a-couple-of-songs-which-are-not-up-to-the-mark-so-mentally/)

[Arijit Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arijit-singh/)

> [Each one of us has set a goal for our selves in life,but most of us dont follow what we really want.the key is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nateman/each-one-of-us-has-set-a-goal-for-our-selves-in-life-but-most-of-us/)

[Nateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nateman/)

> [The government should set a goal for a clean environment but not mandate how that goal should be implemented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dixie-lee-ray/the-government-should-set-a-goal-for-a-clean-environment-but-not/)

[Dixie Lee Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dixie-lee-ray/)

## More by Benjamin Zander

> [Life is revealed as a place to contribute and we as contributors. Not because we have done a measurable amount of good, but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/life-is-revealed-as-a-place-to-contribute-and-we-as-contributors-not/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [Imagine Martin Luther King saying, 'I have a dream ... But I don't know if the others will buy it.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/imagine-martin-luther-king-saying-i-have-a-dream-but-i-don-t-know-if/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [Everybody loves classical music they just don't know about it yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/everybody-loves-classical-music-they-just-don-t-know-about-it-yet/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [It's not a question of how much power you can hoard for yourself, but how much you can give away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/it-s-not-a-question-of-how-much-power-you-can-hoard-for-yourself-but/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [As leaders, we're giving out grades in every encounter we have with people. We can choose to give out grades as an expectation to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/as-leaders-we-re-giving-out-grades-in-every-encounter-we-have-with/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [How often do we stand convinced of the truth of our early memories, forgetting that they are assessments made by a child? We can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/how-often-do-we-stand-convinced-of-the-truth-of-our-early-memories/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/the-conductor-of-an-orchestra-doesn-t-make-a-sound-he-depends-for-his/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [how absurd human beings are and how magnificent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/how-absurd-human-beings-are-and-how-magnificent/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [The major difference between the 'best' and the 'average' is that the 'best' get as much pleasure from practice as performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/the-major-difference-between-the-best-and-the-average-is-that-the/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/throw-yourself-into-life-as-someone-who-makes-a-difference-accepting/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [Look at their eyes. If their eyes are shining, you know you're doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/look-at-their-eyes-if-their-eyes-are-shining-you-know-you-re-doing-it/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [ My job \[is\] to awaken possibility in other people. If their eyes are shining, you know you're doing it. If they're not shining you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/my-job-is-to-awaken-possibility-in-other-people-if-their-eyes-are/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [When you make a mistake, throw your hands in the air and say "How fascinating!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/when-you-make-a-mistake-throw-your-hands-in-the-air-and-say-how/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [Who am I being that my players' eyes are not shining?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/who-am-i-being-that-my-players-eyes-are-not-shining/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

> [I'm so sorry for you; your lives have been so easy. You can't play great music unless your heart's been broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/i-m-so-sorry-for-you-your-lives-have-been-so-easy-you-can-t-play/)

[Benjamin Zander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

[Explore all 30 Benjamin Zander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/)

## More Goals quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/)

[Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/)

[Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/)

> [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/)

[John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/)

> [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/)

[Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/)

[Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/)

> [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/)

[Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/)

> [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/)

[C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/)

[Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Benjamin Zander"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal-and-strive-for-it-in-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Goals"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal-and-strive-for-it-in-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/benjamin-zander-20848_goals_in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal_567117.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the…” — Benjamin Zander",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Benjamin Zander",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-zander/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“In the measurement world, you set...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal-and-strive-for-it-in-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-zander/in-the-measurement-world-you-set-a-goal-and-strive-for-it-in-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
