--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being obsessed by goals is bad for you…" description: "\"Being obsessed by goals is bad for you. You should set goals, even ambitious goals, regularly. But focus on them only to the extent that they give you ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/srikumar-rao-11911_ambitious_being-obsessed-by-goals-is-bad-for-you-y_2308603.png" --- # Being obsessed by goals is bad for you. You should set… ![“Being obsessed by goals is bad for you. You should set goals, even ambitious goals, regularly. But focus on them only to the extent that they give you direction.” quote by Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/srikumar-rao-11911_ambitious_being-obsessed-by-goals-is-bad-for-you-y_2308603.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/srikumar-rao-11911_ambitious_being-obsessed-by-goals-is-bad-for-you-y_2308603.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/srikumar-rao-11911_ambitious_being-obsessed-by-goals-is-bad-for-you-y_2308603.png) > “Being obsessed by goals is bad for you. You should set goals, even ambitious goals, regularly. But focus on them only to the extent that they give you direction.” [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goals drive direction, but over‑obsession can be harmful; set ambitious goals, yet keep them as guides, not fixations. **In simple terms:** Goals guide, not dominate. Key Takeaway Set goals, stay flexible. Themes goal setting balance personal growth motivation Mood motivational thoughtful Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - daily task prioritization - mindful goal review Key Concepts psychology of ambition mindfulness goal theory Questions to Reflect On - Are your goals serving you or controlling you? - How can you stay goal‑oriented without obsession? A Different Perspective Over‑focus can cause stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) [Ambitious goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious-goals/) [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Extent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extent/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Give](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/give/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-ambitious-5198629/) [Goals Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-bad-4504045/) [Goals Regularly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-regularly-5474674/) [Obsessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessed/) [Obsessed Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessed-goals-5474673/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Regularly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regularly/) [Set Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/set-goals/) [Setting goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-goals/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [People make up their mind on whether you're a good player over seven games at a World Cup. You're great if you score goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gonzalo-higuain/people-make-up-their-mind-on-whether-you-re-a-good-player-over-seven/) [Gonzalo Higuain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gonzalo-higuain/) > [You will only have SIGNIFICANT success when you're border line obsessed with your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rev-run-2/you-will-only-have-significant-success-when-you-re-border-line/) [Rev Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rev-run-2/) > [If your goals are ambitious and crazy enough, even failure will be a pretty good achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laszlo-bock/if-your-goals-are-ambitious-and-crazy-enough-even-failure-will-be-a/) [Laszlo Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laszlo-bock/) > [We do not need to have an agreed set of goals before we do something ambitious!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-do-not-need-to-have-an-agreed-set-of-goals-before-we-do-something/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/keep-away-from-people-who-try-to-belittle-your-ambition/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Back in the mid-1970s, we adopted some fairly ambitious goals to improve efficiency of our cars. What did we get? We got a tremendous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-inslee/back-in-the-mid-1970s-we-adopted-some-fairly-ambitious-goals-to/) [Jay Inslee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-inslee/) > [The value of an ambitious goal is not measured by what it will bring to you. The worth of a goal is measured by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/the-value-of-an-ambitious-goal-is-not-measured-by-what-it-will-bring/) [Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/) > [“Don't give up. As you work to achieve your most ambitious goals, push yourself to keep moving forward." M. Sheheryar Naseer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-sheheryar-naseer/don-t-give-up-as-you-work-to-achieve-your-most-ambitious-goals-push/) [M. Sheheryar Naseer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-sheheryar-naseer/) > [Our goal in Washington must not be to impose but to expect and assist: Expect the most of educators and students and assist them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/our-goal-in-washington-must-not-be-to-impose-but-to-expect-and-assist/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Don't be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/don-t-be-afraid-to-be-ambitious-about-your-goals-hard-work-never/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [We have a pretty ambitious goal for the world. What we think will make the Web better. What we think will make all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/we-have-a-pretty-ambitious-goal-for-the-world-what-we-think-will-make/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [We have always wanted Google to be a company that is deserving of great love. But we recognize this is an ambitious goal because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/we-have-always-wanted-google-to-be-a-company-that-is-deserving-of/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [Super-ambitious goals tend to be unifying and energizing to people; but only if they believe there's a chance of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/super-ambitious-goals-tend-to-be-unifying-and-energizing-to-people/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [We always set ambitious goals in our group, and I have found that if you set your mind to it, you can do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajay-piramal/we-always-set-ambitious-goals-in-our-group-and-i-have-found-that-if/) [Ajay Piramal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajay-piramal/) > [Palantir owes much of its success to the amazing talent of the first 30-40 technologists who joined the company, as well as to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lonsdale/palantir-owes-much-of-its-success-to-the-amazing-talent-of-the-first/) [Joe Lonsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lonsdale/) ## More by Srikumar Rao > [Positive thinking is so firmly enshrined in our culture that knocking it is a little like attacking motherhood or apple pie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/positive-thinking-is-so-firmly-enshrined-in-our-culture-that-knocking/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [We have the ability to craft a life where we are completely fulfilled. We think it is dependent on outsiders, and to some extent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/we-have-the-ability-to-craft-a-life-where-we-are-completely-fulfilled/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [Executives don't burn out and leave when they feel deep satisfaction. They don't create the human detritus that disgruntled managers do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/executives-don-t-burn-out-and-leave-when-they-feel-deep-satisfaction/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [When you try to bring about behavioral change by an effort of will, you actually do violence to yourself, and the chances are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/when-you-try-to-bring-about-behavioral-change-by-an-effort-of-will/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [We, as individuals, must be responsible for our careers with the goal of reaching our highest potential. The job of a manager is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/we-as-individuals-must-be-responsible-for-our-careers-with-the-goal/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [Do you feel bored and stuck in a rut? Is work drudgery? If so, you are spending far too much time bemoaning your fate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/do-you-feel-bored-and-stuck-in-a-rut-is-work-drudgery-if-so-you-are/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [If you embrace 'positive thinking,' you are - by definition - spurning 'negative thinking.' So it's as if you were on a teeter-totter and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/if-you-embrace-positive-thinking-you-are-by-definition-spurning/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [Unending joy is actually closer to us than our own skin, and there is nothing we have to do or get or be to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/unending-joy-is-actually-closer-to-us-than-our-own-skin-and-there-is/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [When you say 'I want to be an inspiring leader,' the operative phrase is 'I want.' This is inherently me-centered and self serving whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/when-you-say-i-want-to-be-an-inspiring-leader-the-operative-phrase-is/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [I'm challenging the assumption that you need to be a dog-eat-dog person to survive in a corporate environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/i-m-challenging-the-assumption-that-you-need-to-be-a-dog-eat-dog/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [Consciously be sensitive to others, and try to elevate their level of consciousness. Don't do this by being preachy and telling them that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/consciously-be-sensitive-to-others-and-try-to-elevate-their-level-of/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [No matter what happens to us in life, we tend to think of it as 'good' or 'bad.' And most of us tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/no-matter-what-happens-to-us-in-life-we-tend-to-think-of-it-as-good/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [Acceptance does not mean that you placidly acquiesce to the myriad injustices that are all around you. In fact, that you are incensed about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/acceptance-does-not-mean-that-you-placidly-acquiesce-to-the-myriad/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [When you label so much of what happens to you as 'bad,' it reinforces the feeling that you are a powerless pawn at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/when-you-label-so-much-of-what-happens-to-you-as-bad-it-reinforces/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) > [I believe that if you don't derive a deep sense of purpose from what you do, if you don't come radiantly alive several times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srikumar-rao/i-believe-that-if-you-don-t-derive-a-deep-sense-of-purpose-from-what/) [Srikumar Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) [Explore all 57 Srikumar Rao quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srikumar-rao/) ## More Ambitious quotes > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [I want my squad to be confident, ambitious. They have to believe in big things and we have to set targets internally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-howe/i-want-my-squad-to-be-confident-ambitious-they-have-to-believe-in-big/) [Eddie Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-howe/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [“Getting rich is easy, staying rich is impressive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-trip/getting-rich-is-easy-staying-rich-is-impressive/) [Don Trip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-trip/) > [Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for people who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion...What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/trying-to-be-perfect-may-be-inevitable-for-people-who-are-smart-and/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) [Chris Kirubi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kirubi/) > [I am ambitious to do more than what has been offered me. I want to be the best in whatever career I choose and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uday-chopra/i-am-ambitious-to-do-more-than-what-has-been-offered-me-i-want-to-be/) [Uday Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uday-chopra/) > [There are four varieties in society — the lovers, the ambitious, observers, and fools. The fools are the happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippolyte-taine/there-are-four-varieties-in-society-the-lovers-the-ambitious/) [Hippolyte Taine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippolyte-taine/) > [People who are ambitious - politicians who crave power - think that they're in control of it, but at some point, the movement that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-liu/people-who-are-ambitious-politicians-who-crave-power-think-that-they/) [Ken Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-liu/) > [I'm not ambitious. Not a bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-m-not-ambitious-not-a-bit/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [Aggressive and hard-charging women violate unwritten rules about acceptable social conduct. Men are continually applauded for being ambitious and powerful and successful, but women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/aggressive-and-hard-charging-women-violate-unwritten-rules-about/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I understood early on that I was not the best-looking girl in the room. But I knew my advantage was a hard work ethic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/i-understood-early-on-that-i-was-not-the-best-looking-girl-in-the/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [It is ordained that to the ambitious, who derive no satisfaction from the gifts of life and the beauty of the world, life shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/it-is-ordained-that-to-the-ambitious-who-derive-no-satisfaction-from/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [If Reagan and John Paul II were linked by anything, it was a grand, ambitious, and generous idea of Western political civilization, one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-applebaum/if-reagan-and-john-paul-ii-were-linked-by-anything-it-was-a-grand/) [Anne Applebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-applebaum/) > [To talk only about national security, national defense, means to be selfish, ambitious. It is discrimination, isolation. "It is just me. What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/to-talk-only-about-national-security-national-defense-means-to-be/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) [Browse all 1,269 Ambitious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being obsessed by goals is bad for you. You should set goals, even ambitious goals, regularly. 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