Creating a Vision for Your Life: Why Focusing on Feelings, Not Just Goals, Will Sustain You
Instead of focusing solely on the outcome or enjoying the process, what if we base our lives on a clear vision of how we want to feel?
When people talk about success, they often focus on the big, tangible achievements: publishing a book, getting married, earning a prestigious award, or putting on an exhibition. And while those milestones are wonderful, their satisfaction is often fleeting. I know this because I’ve been there — I’ve published books, created art, and hit those “big” goals, only to find myself quickly asking, “What’s next?”
This “what’s next?” phase can feel like a vacuum. You accomplish a major goal, but after the high of success fades, you’re left wondering where to channel your energy next. Many people suggest enjoying the process, so you don’t get lost after achieving your goal. While that’s good advice, I believe we need to go further. Instead of focusing solely on the outcome or enjoying the process, what if we base our lives on a clear vision of how we want to feel?
Tangible Goals vs. Vision and Feeling
The common mistake is assuming that achieving tangible goals will make them feel a certain way. For instance, we often think getting married will make us feel secure, writing a book will make us feel content or respected, and putting on an exhibition will offer catharsis. But is that the case? Once we hit those goals, the initial satisfaction can quickly dissolve, and we start looking for the next thing.
After I published my first book, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, but also an unexpected emptiness. My goal was to write the book, and I did. So, what now? I soon realized that writing wasn’t the end — it was just the beginning. I needed to market the book, engage with readers, and figure out how to make it reach more people. That part of the process felt disjointed because my original goal was solely to finish the book. My approach would have been different if my goal had been to impact people through my writing, to help or inspire them. The journey would’ve felt ongoing, with no end in sight, because the purpose behind the work would have sustained me.
Shifting to a Vision-Based Approach
This is where the idea of having a vision comes in. Instead of making goals like “finish a book” or “put on an exhibition,” we should ask ourselves what we want our lives to feel like. If you set your vision around feelings — feeling energized, connected, creative, and purposeful — your goals will naturally align with that vision. Instead of aiming for one big milestone and feeling lost after you hit it, you’ll be driven by a deeper sense of purpose that keeps you going.
For example, I’m working on a song where I collaborate with a violinist to fuse Carnatic and Western music. My goal was to finish the song because it seemed like a cool, unique project. But if I shift my focus to a larger vision — preserving Carnatic traditions in modern, Western music — then my work doesn’t end with one song. That larger vision sustains me, allowing me to keep creating and expanding within that space.
Focusing on How You Want to Feel
When setting a vision for your life, it’s important to ask yourself how you want to feel each day. Let’s say your tangible goals are to write an article, meet friends, and attend a music show by the end of the day. But if you think more about the feelings behind those goals, you might discover that your vision is to have sustained energy, nourish relationships, and support the arts. Suddenly, your goals take on a deeper meaning.
Instead of writing an article just to cross it off your list, you’re writing because it energizes you and aligns with your creative vision. Meeting friends becomes more than a social obligation — it’s part of maintaining meaningful relationships. Attending a music show isn’t just entertainment — it’s about supporting the arts and staying connected to the creative world.
A Vision Gives You Longevity
When you’re clear about your vision and how you want to feel, your daily goals become stepping stones to something larger. You’re not constantly stuck in the cycle of “what’s next?” because your vision sustains you through smaller, more achievable goals. With a solid vision, you don’t feel the need to chase the next big achievement for validation. You’re already living the life you’ve envisioned, step by step, day by day.
So, rather than focusing on what tangible things you want to achieve, think about what kind of life you want to build and how you want to feel while doing it. Your vision will guide you, and the goals will naturally fall into place. This approach gives you something deeper than the fleeting satisfaction of checking off a to-do list — it gives you a life filled with purpose, creativity, and joy.