Goals Quote by Viktor E. Frankl
“Don't aim at success — the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long run — in the long run, I say — success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think of it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Man's Search for Meaning, 1946
Success and happiness arise as by‑products of dedication to higher causes, not from direct pursuit.
In simple terms: Success follows dedication to greater purpose, not chasing it.
Key Takeaway
Focus on purpose; success will follow.
Themes
purpose
meaning
success
happiness
dedication
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
calm
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- career development
- volunteering
- creative projects
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existential psychology
goal setting
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher purpose drives you?
- How can you detach from outcome‑focused goals?
A Different Perspective
May be hard to ignore societal pressure for achievement.
