What Is Aspiration And Why Are Aspirations Important?

Medically reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
Updated October 14, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Most people think of aspirations as strong hopes, dreams, or goals. The idea of an aspiration generally has a positive connotation. We typically aspire to become something that we perceive as better than what we currently are. There can be many different types of aspirations, such as career, social, and personal aspirations. You may discover them through introspection and asking yourself why you do the things you do. For more guidance regarding how to identify and achieve your aspirations, you may wish to work with a licensed therapist.

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Discover and move toward your aspirations

The differences among aspirations, goals, and ambitions

  1. The definition of aspiration (noun) is a “strong desire, longing, or aim.” Aspirations are generally long-term; this sets them apart from goals, which don’t necessarily have a long or short timeframe in which to be completed. We could set a goal to spend five minutes weeding the window box or an hour working out at the gym, for example. These would generally not be considered aspirations. However, they could be stepping stones on the way to an aspiration. Most goals are tools that can be used to further our aspirations.
  2. Aspirations tend to be directional, but ambition can be unfocused. An ambitious person may be eager to take on difficult tasks or enjoy challenging themselves.
  3. An aspiration can often exist without action, while ambition typically involves movement. A weak aspiration may be more like a fantasy. People may say that they aspire to a goal without taking steps to reach it. Ambition, on the other hand, is nearly always connected with action. Strong, successful aspirations usually require some ambition.

Is aspiration important?

Aspirations can answer the question, “Why?” 

Why do schoolchildren sit at a desk every day? Why do people run cash registers? Why do we attend meetings? Sometimes that answer can be as simple as feeding, clothing, and sheltering ourselves and needing an education or providing for our loved ones. But even these supposedly simple answers can be tied to our aspirations. 

What are the other things that we want to do with our lives after we are sufficiently fed, clothed, and sheltered? These sometimes-mundane jobs often provide for the hobbies, families, and service activities that make up our aspirations. Our aspirations can also serve as inspiration that keeps us moving through daily experiences ranging from the mundane to the truly difficult, to the magnificent.

Are aspirations always good?

Like almost anything, aspirations can have a dark side. Inappropriate or unrealized aspirations can have a negative impact on our psychological well-being. People may aspire to things that are completely unrealistic or disconnected from their daily lives. These aspirations may cause them to neglect important people or responsibilities. Sometimes, people’s aspirations can be set by social or cultural pressure, rather than an expression of personal desire. In these cases, reaching those aspirations may be unlikely to bring fulfillment.

On the other hand, there is also a risk that you do not make progress on your aspirations, so they remain unfulfilled. Failing to reach our aspirations may lead to feelings of despair. Unfulfilled aspirations may even lead to a high risk of being diagnosed with major depression or other mental health conditions or medical health problems. Like any truly important factor in your mental health, aspiration is generally just one piece of the puzzle.

How to discover your career aspirations, financial aspirations, or life aspirations

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According to research published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, aspirations can be closely related to personality traits like extraversion and agreeableness. As such, it may be helpful to determine whether you possess these traits, possibly through the use of a personality test. It can be normal not to know exactly what your aspirations are. Your story is likely deeply personal and different from others, and every person tends to be on a unique journey. Here are three steps that may help you think about this question more critically and recognize your true aspirations in life.

1. Reflect on whether you have an unconscious aspiration or aspirations

Consider your actions. For students, this consideration may relate to why they are getting an education. Are you working hard to get a degree in hopes of getting a good job? Is that job connected to higher aspirations? Perhaps you are content to work a lower-status or lower-paying job to free yourself for other activities, such as gaming or hiking. Do those hobbies reveal hints of larger aspirations? Or do the job and the hobbies together serve a different aspiration, such as making you a stable, well-rounded, and reliable person for your family and friends? You may be able to spot an aspiration of which even you were unaware by examining your actions and behaviors.

 2. Ask yourself, “Why?”

Perhaps your actions don’t point you to an aspiration that you can clearly articulate. We can work, play, and maintain relationships for all kinds of reasons. You might find a quiet space and ask yourself why you do what you do. See what answers you find.

After you find the answers to your questions, you might determine how you feel about them personally. You could consider ways that external pressure from family, peers, or culture may influence your motivations. If you feel stuck or anxious at this point, professional medical care such as a licensed therapist may be able to help you navigate your journey.

3. Articulate your aspirations

Once you have looked at your actions and asked yourself why you do what you do, you may find that you lack aspirations. This could be an opportunity to take a little time to think about the kind of person you would like to be. Is there a social role that you would like to fill? Do you want to move somewhere else to broaden your horizons, maybe becoming a New Yorker or a citizen of Europe? Is there a field of activity or study that you would like to participate in? You might write down a word, phrase, or detailed description of what you want from and for yourself.

What if it’s hard to find my aspirations?

Some circumstances can make it difficult to find or articulate our aspirations or seem to prevent aspiration altogether. If you’re an older adult, you may feel that you’ve already gone the wrong way in life and that it’s too late to start aspiring for new things. Mental or medical conditions could also make it seem like our life is controlled by our limitations, rather than our aspirations. What can we do in those circumstances?

Aspiring to simple and meaningful goals

First, it can be helpful to remember that aspirations may not need to be lofty. They may not need to involve high-powered careers or large amounts of money, as such occupational and financial aspirations may lead to disappointment. We can aspire to be a better person, no matter our circumstances. We can aspire to goals that may look smaller to other people, but carry much weight to us, like being an available friend.

Giving yourself time to figure out your aspiration

Second, you might allow yourself space and time to figure things out. Aspirations can be important, but they are not always urgent. Sometimes we may just need to get through the day, and that can be completely alright. If that’s where you’re at, then it may be more prudent to put aside loftier aims temporarily in favor of finding your footing first.

Seeking professional help to clarify your aspiration's path

Third, if it feels challenging to think about or discover your aspirations, you may benefit from professional help. Licensed therapists online may be ready to assess your situation and offer options. They can help you feel less overwhelmed, more in tune with your desires and capabilities, and ready to establish what your overarching life goals truly are. Online therapy may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about aspirations, but recent studies have shown that it can help people make and achieve goals.

Through therapy sessions, you may recalibrate your approach to life’s ups and downs. Licensed professionals can help guide you, give you feedback, and offer resources that may assist you in understanding your aspirations. Online therapy is an option you may consider if you have a busy work or personal life and don’t have the time or availability to attend in-person sessions. Additionally, many online therapists offer a diverse variety of schedules and treatment plans.

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Discover and move toward your aspirations

Takeaway

Our aspirations can be the core of what keeps us moving forward, potentially leading us to what could be considered our “best life. But to take their proper place, our aspirations may be improved by reflecting on what we want, who we are, and what we are capable of.

Unrealistic, unmet, or inappropriate aspirations can take a toll on our mental and emotional health. In the face of these risk factors, some may decide that aspirations aren’t worth the risk. It may, however, be better to name and chase our aspirations than to drift through life without them. If we have a proper understanding of the place of aspirations, and our mental health is in good order, aspirations can serve as guides and touchstones. An online therapist may provide the guidance you need to identify and move toward your aspirations.

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