Read Article
Purpose Over Pressure: Setting Goals That Actually Feel Right
- Business & Social
- By InLife Sheroes
- Nov 24, 2025
- 0 Comments
For many Filipino women, life can feel like a race. There is always something you are “supposed” to be doing, whether that’s earning a certain salary, building a career, buying a house, getting married, or having kids.
The pressure of achieving these milestones can feel constant and heavy. And even though goal setting is an empowering tool that helps us stay focused and organized, it can also become overwhelming when the goals are rooted in fear, comparison, or expectations that are not your own. When you chase goals to meet societal timelines, the experience loses joy and meaning.
This is why the most sustainable and satisfying goals come from a place of purpose. They come from listening to your inner voice, not the noise around you.
How to Set Meaningful Goals
So how do you set goals that feel purposeful and authentic, not pressured or performative? Here are practical ways to reconnect with what truly matters to you.
1. Ask Yourself Why You Want the Goal/s
Before writing anything down, pause for a moment and ask: “Why do I want this?” If your answer sounds like “Because everyone else is doing it” or “Because I am scared of being left behind”, it might not be your goal. Choose goals that come from desire, not comparison.
2. Identify Your Core Values
Your values are the foundation of purposeful goals. What matters to you most? Is it security, freedom, creativity, family, or growth? Once you know your core values, it becomes easier to see which goals support the life you want to build and which ones do not align with who you are becoming.
3. Reflect on Your Season of Life
Your priorities at 22 are different from your priorities at 32 or 42. It is okay to grow, evolve, and shift your direction. Instead of comparing your timeline to others, honor your current season. What makes sense for you now? What do you need in this moment?
4. Start With Small, Impactful Steps
A purposeful goal does not need to be grand or dramatic. It can be simple, like starting a savings routine, taking a new class, or improving your health. Purposeful steps feel gentle and aligned instead of forced or rushed.
5. Limit the Influence of Other People
Social media, relatives, friends, and society all have opinions about what your life should look like. You do not have to shut them out completely. You simply need space to hear yourself. Try taking a short social media break. Practice saying “I need time to think.” Protect your mental space so your true desires can surface.
6. Write Your Goals in “I Want“ Statements
Instead of framing goals as “I should,” try “I want.”
“I should be promoted by next year” becomes “I want to grow in my career because I value stability and growth.”
“I should settle down soon” becomes “I want a relationship that feels safe, kind, and aligned with my life goals.”
This shift keeps the intention rooted in your personal truth.
7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Purposeful goals grow with you. They are not about ticking boxes. They are about the person you become along the way. Celebrate every small win and allow yourself to adjust or pivot when needed. Purpose gives you flexibility, while pressure traps you in fear.
8. Seek Support From Women on the Same Journey
Surround yourself with mentors, friends, and communities that encourage authenticity. When you talk to women who honor their own journeys, you feel empowered to celebrate yours too.
Set Goals Driven by Intention
Setting goals under pressure leads to exhaustion, but setting goals out of purpose leads to growth. Your goals do not need to follow a timeline set by society. They need to follow you—your pace, your truth, and your purpose. When you choose goals that feel right, the path to get there will be worth it.
Join InLife Sheroes for more resources on women's empowerment.
Share this article
Post A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
