Buddhability Short: Are goals for the new year really that important?
Buddhability
SGI-USA
4.9 • 643 Ratings
🗓️ 9 January 2026
⏱️ 13 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking about why goals and dreams are critical for our happiness.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part one, revised edition, pp. 170–71
Hope is a Decision, pp. 5–7.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From SGI USA, I'm Cassidy Bradford, and this is Budability, the weekly series where I talk with Buddhists from all walks of life about the power we each have to change our lives and the world around us. |
| 0:33.8 | Seeing as we're over a week into 2026, I think I might be pushing the limit with this opener, but happy new year, everyone. |
| 0:40.5 | Do you still remember the resolutions you set January 1st? That was last Thursday. |
| 0:48.6 | And are you sticking with them? I recently learned that the second Friday of January, so today, |
| 0:56.8 | January 9th, is known as Quidders Day, marking the time that most people give up on their goals for the new year. |
| 1:00.4 | But we don't need to fulfill that prophecy. |
| 1:07.7 | Today, we're talking about how having a vision for your life is crucial to experiencing joy and happiness. |
| 1:12.8 | And with that understanding, we can always refresh our determination. |
| 1:20.2 | Before we dive in, let's take a minute to check in. What are your hopes and dreams for the year? |
| 1:30.6 | Any big goals you're working toward? Maybe some new things you want to prioritize. Or if you're like a friend of mine, you have a list of ins and outs for the new year. If you're feeling like you're ready |
| 1:36.9 | to succumb to quitter's day, let's first take a minute to reflect on our why. Why are those goals or that vision for your life important |
| 1:47.6 | to you? Or are they important to you? If not, you can move on from them and set a new goal. But having a |
| 1:55.7 | clear why is important to us being able to redetermine and refresh throughout the year. |
| 2:01.6 | It helps keep us motivated. |
| 2:03.6 | But let's get to another why. |
| 2:07.6 | Why should we even set goals in the first place? |
| 2:10.6 | Sure, you can probably gather the general idea. |
| 2:14.6 | You've got to set goals so you can have a direction and live the life that you want, |
| 2:19.6 | which is true. But that explanation goes a little bit deeper with Buddhism. If you're newer to |
| 2:28.3 | Buddhism, you might have heard that all Buddhists relinquish their attachments. So think letting go of your desires |
| 2:36.7 | to relieve your suffering, or maybe spending hours meditating in silence. But that's not true |
| 2:45.2 | of all Buddhists, especially not SGI Natrine Buddhists who believe that earthly desires lead to |
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