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The Anti-Goal Movement

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter.

Looking around, you see Buzzfeed articles on what #relationshipgoals look like, motivational quotes covering Pinterest boards, and people around you constantly asking what you plan to do with your life after graduating.

Goal setting is both a kickstarter and something to keep the mind focused, but lately, anti-goal setting has become the dominant trend in society.  The rationale behind anti-goal setting goes a little something like this: why set yourself up for disappointment?  Why construct something that will limit you?  Why reject individuality and focus on generalizability?  

The traditional ritual of putting pen to paper and writing out one’s ideals in a tangible form has dissipated and individuals have chosen to embrace life as it is, carpe diem at its finest.  The question is,  is it possible to live an anti-goal life and still be successful?  Can the lack of structure enable anyone to get anything done?  Are anti-goals really just mini-goals?  

Many of us can agree that the answer is never black and white. The balance between the two processes is always customizable to the individual.  However, no matter how stringent or carefree you are about setting goals, nothing will change unless you take action. Whether you want to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon or simply  make healthier choices throughout your daily life, you can emerge as a winner,  goal setter, or anti-goal setter.

Hi, my name is Wendy Hwong and I am currently a fourth-year Communication Studies and Cognitive Science major at the University of California, Davis. In my free time, I enjoy long talks and study sessions in hole-in-wall coffee shops, hiking scenic trails, finding foodie hubs, DIY projects, reading, blogging every so often, and trying to stay fit. On my campus, I am involved in the Professional Sorority and Fraternity Council for Phi Alpha Delta, am a notetaker for the Student Disability Center, and run the publicity campaign for Relay for Life. Writing is one of my passions because it is one of the best ways I have found to connect with others and gives me the ability to create something completely original.
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