{"id":140089,"date":"2025-01-15T14:58:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=140089"},"modified":"2025-01-21T15:00:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T19:00:53","slug":"desire-mapping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/desire-mapping\/","title":{"rendered":"Desire Mapping: 3 Steps to Pursue Goals With Soul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What feelings do you truly want to experience in your daily life? How can you set meaningful goals<\/a> that align with those desired feelings<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desire Mapping, a revolutionary approach to goal-setting introduced in Danielle LaPorte’s The Desire Map<\/em>, turns traditional goal-setting on its head. Instead of chasing achievements, this method helps you pursue Goals With Soul by focusing first on how you want to feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to discover a more authentic and fulfilling way to pursue your dreams\u2014one that prioritizes your emotional well-being<\/a> every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Desire Mapping for Goals With Soul<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can use desire and your other feelings to set “Goals With Soul”\u2014long-term goals that are in line with who you are<\/a> and what you really want out of life. LaPorte says that most people approach goal-setting with the wrong perspective: They specify things they want to do, believing that achieving those goals will make them feel certain ways. For example, someone might set the goal of becoming a millionaire because they expect wealth to make them feel safe and secure. The problem with this approach is that, even if the person is correct about wealth giving them the desired feeling of safety, they\u2019re likely to be unhappy throughout the long process of building that wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, LaPorte argues that you should set goals regarding how you want to feel<\/em>, not specific things you want to achieve. <\/strong>By taking this “Desire Mapping” approach, you\u2019ll ensure that you feel good while pursuing your goals<\/a>, not just after you achieve them. Furthermore, because you\u2019re acting in ways that align with your genuine interests and personality, you\u2019re likely to find that you\u2019re more <\/em>successful than you were while pursuing goals based on traditional metrics of \u201csuccess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Process Goals<\/a> Versus Outcome Goals<\/a><\/strong>

Although she doesn\u2019t use this term, LaPorte is urging you to set outcome goals<\/em>. This means that she wants you to start with a desired outcome (how you want to feel), then work backwards to figure out how to reach that result. In contrast, process goals <\/em>are those that you believe will get you closer to whatever outcome you really desire. For example, if your desired outcome is to feel safe and secure, becoming a millionaire might be one of the process goals you achieve on your path<\/a> toward that feeling.

Experts say goal-setting is most effective when you use a combination of process goals and outcome goals<\/a>. This strategy allows you to reap the benefits of concrete, achievable process goals with the \u201cbig picture\u201d focus of outcome goals. To set both kinds of goals, start with an outcome goal\u2014the feeling you really desire\u2014and then set smaller process goals building up to that outcome. LaPorte might say your process goals should be focused on feelings rather than achievements, too\u2014so if you want to feel safe and secure, you might start with process goals like cultivating a sense of trust in your ability to handle challenges and a feeling of groundedness in your daily life.\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now, we\u2019ll discuss LaPorte\u2019s advice for getting in touch with your feelings so you know what you really desire, setting specific goals based on those desires, pursuing those goals effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Connect With Your Feelings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LaPorte says that you should set goals that reflect who you are and fulfill your deep-seated desires, but you may find that you don\u2019t really know <\/em>who you are and what you want. Therefore, the first step in this process is to conduct a thorough examination of yourself. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LaPorte offers a series of questions that help get you into a reflective mindset and connect with your deepest feelings and desires. She encourages you to answer each question with a sentence or two. A few of these questions include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n