When life gets in the way | Confucius Quotes | Find him on Amazon
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”
– Confucius
You know how you set these big, dreamy goals for yourself—run a marathon, write a novel, open a taco truck, whatever—and then halfway through, reality’s like, “Yeah, no”? That’s when most people throw in the towel.
Meaning? Don’t blame the dream; blame the plan. Or better yet, fix it.
Understanding The Wisdom
This quote embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. Confucius challenges us to hold steadfast to our vision while staying flexible in our approach when life gets in the way of our goals.
Goals are often rooted in deeper desires—personal growth, professional achievement, or a meaningful impact. Abandoning them at the first sign of difficulty undermines their importance. It’s important to realize that, at times, the problem isn’t the goal but the methods we’ve chosen to achieve it.
Adjusting Steps = Build Habits
Okay, so how do we actually do this “adjust the action steps” thing?
The secret is habits—those little things you do daily that make or break your progress.
For example:
- Want to get fit but can’t commit to an hour-long workout? Do 10 minutes. Or just jog to the fridge and back; it’s a start.
- Trying to write a book but getting distracted by TikTok? Set a timer, write for 20 minutes, and bribe yourself with snacks.
- Dreaming of starting a business but overwhelmed? Break it into bite-sized tasks. Like, micro-nibble sized.
Tiny, consistent changes = big results.
Habits automate the small but crucial actions that drive long-term progress. They eliminate decision fatigue and make change less daunting.
Adjusting your action steps isn’t admitting defeat. It’s playing smart. So, the next time you feel stuck, ask yourself:
- Is the goal still meaningful to me?
- How can I adjust my actions while staying true to my vision?
- What habits can I nurture to support this shift?
