Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Goals

“Stemming from the Latin for "inward," intrinsic goals relate to "goods of the soul," like personal growth, close relationships, and physical health. Stemming from the Latin for "outward," extrinsic goals relate to "worldly goals," like money, status, or fame.

                                                                                         - Harvard Business Insider

In in their book, From Me to We, brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger create a powerful distinction between Extrinsic versus Intrinsic Goals.

Specifically, Extrinsic Goals are those we strive to achieve outside ourselves like career status, financial achievements, and personal possessions.  

Intrinsic Goals are those we create inside ourselves like love, peace, acceptance, a connection with our Higher Power (whatever that is for you) and a commitment to the service of others.

Neither is good nor bad or better than the other.  However, the Kielbergers propose that when we are clear and committed to our Intrinsic Goals, the Extrinsic Goals will manifest naturally and in more expansive ways than we ever thought possible.

This got me really thinking about the goals and intentions I have set for myself and what is really important for me.  I would ask you the same question. 

What is intrinsically important to you and how can you make that manifest in your current life and in the future?

Here are three ideas for how I believe you can identify your Intrinsic Goals to bring peace, fulfillment and joy into your life and naturally attract the Extrinsic Goals you desire.

1) Slow Down – Many times in our lives, we can get so caught up in the “doings” of our everyday lives, that we can lose perspective about what is important to us.

We can get caught up in the momentum of the flurry of activities that dominate our lives in such a way that we can forget WHY we are doing what we are doing in the first place. 

Slowing down, whether it comes in the way of a vacation, a weekly review or simply a daily reflection of what is going on in our lives and how we are showing up, can serve as a means of us gaining awareness of what is most intrinsically sacred to us, where we have gotten off track and what we can do to correct it. 

2) Get Honest with Yourself – When we finally slow down, we may not always like what we see. If we find ourselves being so constantly driven by our Extrinsic Goals that we have lost perspective of what is most important to us (e.g., personal relationships, health and wellness, spiritual connection, etc.) it may bring upset in the form or embarrassment, shame, or regret. 

However, these realizations can act as a great catalyst for change. 

It has often been said that we are motivated by two factors – pain or pleasure.  If when we do an inventory of ourselves and our lives and the pain of regret presents itself, we can view it simply as a snapshot of where we currently are and know that in an instant, we can begin to change, if we choose.

It has been said that he first step in transformation is awareness.  Once we slow down and get honest with ourselves about what is intrinsically most important to us, we can then begin to take the steps of how we can make that happen in our lives – even if it’s one small step at a time. 

3) Take Action from a New Perspective – For me, there is nothing more powerful in the human experience than someone who is taking action from an inspired point of view.

However, many of us can have awarenesses, but then fail to take the appropriate actions necessary to make them happen, either because we fear what the changes may bring, or we are lulled back to sleep by the “comfort of familiarity” that comes from old habits and lifestyles.

While taking massive action for change can be a powerful and effective tool for transformation, I find it is not always effective and long-lasting.  Often, we take off like a rocket ship in making positive changes, only to be flung back to earth, like being attached to a rubber band, because our changes bring forth such discomfort and fear.

My suggestion to clients is to break positive changes of behavior into “bite-sized” chunks that can be acted upon daily and that pave the way for new and empowered habits that are consistent with your Intrinsic Goals and are sustainable in the long-run. 

What is beautiful about this method, it that our consistent efforts build over time and become behaviors and that are more enduring and consistent with our Intrinsic Goals, and naturally help us achieve our Extrinsic Goals in ways that often surpass our expectations.

This week, I challenge all of us to slow down, get honest with ourselves and take action to expand the things that are intrinsically important to us. 

We might just be surprised on what comes present when we take the time to gain this perspective and recalibrate our habits and behaviors to reflect this awareness in our lives.

Are you up for it?

Chris Natzke

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching

PS:  If you are looking to embody a positive quality that will lead to your own breakthrough, download a FREE introductory chapter of my new book, #1 Amazon best-seller, BREAKING THROUGH, by texting “breakthrough” to 720-741-6263.