Do you know the difference between an end goal and a means goal?

The distinction is one that is often muddied or lost as we live our day-to-day lives. We all have passions, desires, wishes (end goals), but we can get so caught up in the things we think we need to have first to make those things happen (means goals) that we lose sight of what it is we really want out of life.

This is how we can come to find ourselves in a place of complete dissatisfaction with our lives. We take detours (some we think will be shortcuts) on our paths to happiness and fulfillment, and end up at destinations far removed from our original intentions (if we even had them to start with).

So how do we get back on track?

Vishen Lakhiani, CEO of Mindvalley—an innovative company working to promote enlightened ideas—offers this useful exercise to anyone needing a reorientation. The results may be surprising (and eye-opening).

Here are a few of my answers:

1. What do I want to experience?

• world travel
• performing on stage
• living on the beach

2. How do I want to grow?

• have more confidence
• meditate more
• learn other languages

3. What do I want to contribute to the planet?

• art
• charity events
• mindful writing

Comment below and share yours.

p.s. You don’t need an iPhone.

“I want to get everyone…to bypass the rules of the industrial age of society, to forget about what society says you gotta do step by step, but to go straight toward that end goal, toward the very essence of being human.” ~ Vishen Lakhiani

An aspiring hoop dancer who dreams of flying, Thandiwe Ogbonna is a recently graduated, sometimes aggravated, partially animated and fully fascinated editor, who timidly ventures into the minefield of writing. You can visit her blog Musical Meditations and Magic Moments or find it on Facebook, or email her at [email protected].

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Ed: Kate Bartolotta