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Learn the various meanings and uses of the word aspiration, from a strong desire to achieve something high or great to a linguistic feature of speech sounds. See synonyms, examples, word history, and related entries.
- Overview
- Signs You Have High Aspirations
- Types of Aspirations
- How to Develop Aspirations
- Impact of Aspirations
- Tips for Reaching Your Aspirations
- Potential Pitfalls
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Aspirations are dreams, hopes, or ambitions to achieve a life goal. They can be thought of as overarching life goals that can help provide a sense of purpose and direction.
While the term is often used synonymously with goals, there are some important differences. Goals tend to be backed by actions and are often centered on the short-term or near future. Aspirations tend to be much more future-focused and are often more general.
This article discusses different types of aspirations, their impact on your life, and how to come up with aspirations that will help you feel motivated to live your life to the fullest.
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The aspirations you have can vary in terms of what they are about and how high they are. Some people have simple aspirations that are focused on goals that are relatively easy to achieve. Other people have high aspirations that may focus on achieving things that many people often only dream about.
Some of the signs that you have high aspirations for life include:
•Daydreaming about lofty goals
•Always thinking about your next step forward toward achieving your dreams
•Thinking about the big picture
•Assessing your weaknesses in order to become stronger
Researchers suggest that there are two main types of aspirations:
1.Intrinsic aspirations are those that help satisfy psychological needs. These goals play an important role in enhancing an individual's well-being.
2.Extrinsic aspirations are those focused on achieving an instrumental outcome such as becoming rich or famous. These goals can sometimes hurt well-being and consume resources that are sometimes better directed toward intrinsic aspirations.
Intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations often center on some common themes. Some different types of aspirations you might have are outlined below.
Sometimes people have broad, overarching aspirations for their life. Others have a very specific vision for what they want. But it also isn't uncommon for people to not really be sure what their aspirations are.
If you are trying to develop life aspirations that can serve as a source of inspiration, there are some things you can do to make sure this vision of your life will have a positive influence.
Some things you can do include:
•Ask yourself questions: What are some of the things you hope to achieve or experience one day? What are some of the activities you pursue that you feel the most excited or passionate about? Thinking about your dreams or your passions can give you a hint into the type of things you might aspire toward.
•Give yourself time: It is important to remember that while aspirations can be motivating and inspiring, you don't need to pressure yourself to figure it all out now. Instead, give yourself the opportunity to learn and grow. Try new things, gather information about yourself, and then think about how what you have learned might contribute to your aspirations.
•Don't compare yourself to others: Aspirations don't need to be grand or lofty to be important. Other people might have very high aspirations, but that doesn't mean that those goals are right for you or your life. Instead, you should focus on finding aspirations that will help you feel fulfilled and satisfied in your life.
These long-term personal goals can help you make life choices and engage in certain behaviors that can put you on the path toward achieving those life aspirations.
A person who aspires to become a doctor, for example, will make educational choices throughout their life that will help them eventually achieve that goal—or at least improve their chances of finding success.
Aspirations can also help give life purpose and meaning. They can give you something to hope for and aim towards. Even if these aspirations might sometimes more closely resemble daydreams, they offer a glimpse into the type of life you might hope for in the future.
Having a vision for the future can also help you feel more motivated and inspired. When you have an image of what you want in your mind, it can help you stay focused on the things that you need to do to ultimately make that dream happen.
If you're looking for a way to reach your aspirations, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
•Work on building self-awareness. Develop a stronger understanding of the things that are intrinsically rewarding. When you work toward goals that meet your needs, it can help you avoid chasing after things that don't ultimately serve your psychological well-being.
•Stay open to change. Not all aspirations come to fruition. Sometimes the situations changes or you realize that the dream you once had isn’t something you want to pursue anymore. Being flexible and open to switching gears can help you keep working toward new goals.
•Do what you love. Research suggests that when people pursue goals that they are intrinsically self-motivated to pursue, they have an easier time persisting when things get difficult.
It is important to recognize that aspirations aren't always helpful. Some examples of when they may be unhelpful or even destructive include:
•Aspiring for things because they are seen as being ideal by society or culture regardless of whether those things actually bring you happiness
•Aspiring for things that are unrealistic or outside of the realm of possibility
•Aspiring for things that create conflicts in your daily life or harm your relationships with other people
They can also lead to feelings of disappointment and sadness when people fail to achieve their aspirations. You can protect yourself by trying to maintain an optimistic outlook and developing a strong sense of resilience.
When a dream or goal doesn’t pan out, being able to pick yourself up and keep going with a positive attitude can help you either find new ways of reaching your goals or finding new ones to aspire to.
Aspirations are dreams, hopes, or ambitions to achieve a life goal. Learn about the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations, their impact on your well-being, and how to find your own aspirations that will motivate you.
- Becoming financially independent. One of the most common personal aspirations is to achieve financial freedom and independence. This could include saving up for retirement, investing in stocks or real estate, or starting your own successful business.
- Starting a family. For many people, starting a family is a major life goal. This could involve getting married, having children, and creating a loving and supportive home environment.
- Traveling the world. Traveling is a wonderful way to broaden your horizons, experience different cultures, and create lifelong memories. Some people aspire to visit every continent or to backpack around the world.
- Learning a new language. Being fluent in another language can open up many doors in your personal, professional, and social life. Learning a new language could also help you connect with people from different parts of the world.
Learn what aspirations are, how they differ from goals, dreams, and ambition, and why they are important for your well-being. Find out how to discover and achieve your own aspirations in various aspects of your life.
noun. a strong desire, longing, or aim; ambition: intellectual aspirations. Synonyms: craving, yearning. a goal or objective that is strongly desired: The presidency has been his aspiration since boyhood. the act of aspirating or breathing in. Phonetics.
Learn the meaning of aspiration as a noun in English, with different senses related to hope, medical, and phonetics. Find examples, synonyms, and translations of aspiration in various contexts.
Apr 30, 2024 · Aspiration is a strong desire, longing, or aim that can guide our actions and choices. Learn how to discover, articulate, and achieve your aspirations with the help of a licensed therapist.
