Desperation vs. Inspiration: What’s Fueling Your Goal?

Let me ask you something real:

Are you chasing your goal because you love the process… or because you feel like you have to?

This week, I’ve been reading Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen—and a concept from the book hit me right between the eyes. It’s the idea that every goal we set is rooted in one of two things: desperation or inspiration.

Let’s break it down.

🚨 Goals of Desperation

These are the goals that come from a sense of lack.
You’re working out not because you love it, but because you hate what you see in the mirror.
You’re eating clean, but every bite feels like punishment.
You're chasing an end result, not enjoying a single step of the journey.

These types of goals sound like:

“I need to lose 20 pounds or I’ll never be happy.”
“I have to get this promotion so I can feel like I’m enough.”
“I have to be in a relationship so I’m not alone.”

You’re not wrong for feeling this way. I’ve been there. We all have.
But goals that are born from desperation will burn you out. Why?

Because there’s no joy in the process—only pressure in the outcome.

🌟 Goals of Inspiration

These are the goals rooted in alignment, flow, and genuine joy.

It’s the difference between working out because you love how strong and grounded you feel…
...and working out because you feel broken and need to be fixed.

An inspired goal might be the exact same as a desperate one on paper—lose weight, get promoted, find love—but the energy behind it is different.

You're not chasing happiness.
You're radiating it from the inside out as you move toward your goal.

🎨 The Artist Analogy

Think about two artists.
One paints because they love the craft. They lose themselves in the colors and the movement. That’s inspiration.

The other paints because they need to sell a piece, get a gallery show, or finally “make it.” That’s desperation.

Same activity. Totally different energy.
Which artist do you think will last longer? Which one will actually enjoy the journey?

Now ask yourself:
Which kind of artist are you… in your own life?

🔍 Here’s Your Challenge This Week

1. Write down one of your biggest goals right now.

2. Underneath it, write why it matters to you.

3. Read it back. Ask yourself honestly:
   → Is this coming from joy and alignment?
   → Or is this coming from fear and lack?

Be honest. No judgment.

And if you want help exploring this deeper—if you’re ready to shift from desperation to inspiration—I’m opening up a few free Alignment Sessions this month.

🧠 Free Alignment Session

This is a 45-minute 1-on-1 Zoom call where we unpack:

• What you're working on

• Why this goal matters to you

• Whether it's aligned with who you truly are

If we’re a fit, I’ll share how we can keep working together through life coaching.
If not? You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to your next move. No pressure. No gimmicks.

Either way, you win.

👉 Book your free Alignment Session here.

You deserve to feel inspired by your own life.

Let’s get you there.

—
Coach Cam
T1DIAL Training
Turning 1 Day Into a Lifestyle