We often glorify goal-setting as the path to success. But in Joan Westenberg’s sharp reflection, she challenges this idea by arguing that goals can become endless finish lines, constantly shifting further away. Instead, she suggests a more sustainable, sane approach: setting limits.
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Goals move the goalposts – When we hit a goal, we often just set a bigger one. The chase never ends.
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Limits restore agency – Limits create a defined edge. They help you choose what not to do and reclaim your time, attention, and energy.
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Limits breed creativity – Boundaries spark innovation. Like writing a haiku or building within constraints, limits force resourcefulness.
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Limits are enough – Choosing “enough” is powerful. It pushes back against the productivity obsession and lets you live, not just optimize.
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Instead of asking “What’s my next goal?”, try asking “Where do I need a limit?” That may lead to more progress than another milestone ever will.
