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 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:””
About This Quote
Source Book: Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946
Success and happiness arise as by‑products of dedication to something larger, not by chasing them as goals.
In simple terms: Success follows purpose, not pursuit.
Key Takeaway
Focus on purpose, not targets.
Themes
purpose
meaning
success
happiness
motivation
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- volunteering
- creative projects
- leadership
- personal development
Key Concepts
existential psychology
logotherapy
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What larger purpose drives you?
- How can you measure progress without targeting success directly?
A Different Perspective
If you fixate on success, you may neglect the process that creates it.
