The Part No One Talks About After You Reach the Goal
Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash.
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PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Roman senator Pliny the Younger once wrote: “An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit.”
When I first read that, I paused. Because I’ve felt that exact thing.
We spend so much time believing that when we finally get there—land the opportunity, reach the goal, finish the project—it will feel different. Bigger. Lasting.
And it does feel good.
For a moment.
Then the next morning, you wake up, make your coffee, and life continues.
Not because the achievement didn’t matter. But because achievement is a moment. Life is what surrounds it.
I’ve seen this in myself, and in so many of my clients.
Someone works toward something for months or years. They reach it. They feel proud. And also, quietly surprised at how normal it feels.
Because what filled their days wasn’t the achievement. It was the process.
The early mornings. The uncomfortable starts. The steady showing up.
The real life of it.
I see the opposite too. The things we dread for weeks—taxes, emails, difficult conversations.
And then once they’re done, the relief is immediate.
Not because the task was joyful. But because the weight was never really in the doing. It was in the anticipating.
Getting Started
It’s a reminder that so much of our emotional experience lives in the story we tell ourselves along the way.
Which brings me to the question I’ve started asking myself more often:
Do I enjoy the life required to reach this goal?
Not the moment of arrival.
The Tuesday mornings. The pace of the days. The person I am while I’m pursuing it.
Because the truth is, you only reach the goal once.
But you live the journey every single day.
This doesn’t mean every day will be exciting. Some parts will always be boring, uncomfortable, or hard. That’s part of building anything meaningful.
But if the entire experience feels draining, misaligned, or like something you’re just enduring until you arrive, it’s worth pausing.
Not to quit immediately. But to ask:
Is this goal creating a life I actually want to live?
Or am I postponing my happiness until some future moment?
I’m still ambitious. I still set goals. I still love building things.
But I’m paying more attention now to the experience of getting there.
Because the quiet truth is this:
The goal will pass.
The life you live while pursuing it, that’s what stays.
So if you’re working toward something right now, the most important question isn’t just, Will I be happy when I get there?
It’s this:
Can I find moments of meaning while I’m on the way?
Because the journey isn’t just the path to your life.
It is your life.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're feeling excited about putting this strategy into action and could use a little extra accountability and support, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak is here to help! Designed to set you up for success, it’s the perfect tool to keep you on track and moving forward.
Let’s make progress together—because great results start with great planning!
A Note from Happy Spaces
Our goal is simple: to add value to your life. If you think this project will be helpful, here are some steps to set yourself up for success:
Estimate how long it will take—then double it. Giving yourself extra time helps reduce stress.
Schedule it on your calendar for the week ahead. Setting a specific date increases follow-through.
Break it up if it will take more than an hour. Tackling it in smaller steps makes it more manageable.
Make a list of every action needed before you start. A clear plan helps keep you on track.
Do what works for you—you don’t have to complete every part, just what adds value to your life.
Find an Accountability Partner—having support makes it easier to stay committed.
We understand that building new habits and systems can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. For additional support, visit HappySpacesBySarah.com and let’s make organizing and planning easier together.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
As the oldest of nine kids with two working parents, I grew up juggling many responsibilities at home. Organization and time management became my lifeline amidst the chaos.
I attended the Cornell Hotel School and pursued my childhood dream of working in the hospitality industry. In 2016, I launched Happy Spaces, combining my passion for structure and efficiency with helping others.
I love working with students to develop essential organizational, time management, and study skills. These skills empower them to reach their full potential, build confidence, and create a future they feel good about.