Sadiel Almanza's Blog

Have you ever achieved a goal you’ve been working toward for months, maybe even years? Now that you’ve finally reached it, you find yourself in the “What’s next?” limbo? You enjoyed the fruits of your hard work, but now, as you sit by yourself, alone with your thoughts… You realize that the feeling you were chasing didn’t even come close to what you actually felt. It’s a feeling I am familiar with, and have made the mistake of falling for this trap more than once, and if one is not aware, he or she is prone to repeat this endless cycle.

“No wind blows in favor of a ship without direction”

Seneca

Arrival Fallacy

In simple terms, Arrival Fallacy is the mistaken belief that achieving a specific goal will bring lasting happiness or fulfillment. This is the reason why so many of us never get the satisfaction we seek… It’s because we put it on external things, we focus on the outcome, and neglect the process. We glorify the destination, but true fulfillment comes from the daily grind, the small wins, and the person we become along the way.

Sure, nailing your goals is satisfying. But lasting fulfillment? It’s in the process – the person you become to achieve them. The real value isn’t just the outcome, but the self-evolution that occurs along the way. Embrace the process.

It’s like climbing a mountain expecting a clear view at the top… but when you get there, it’s covered in fog. You made it — but the peace you were chasing still isn’t there.

This is Arrival Fallacy. And the only way out is through clarity and purpose. When you know why you’re climbing, and who you’re becoming in the process, even the fog starts to feel like progress.

This is where the true magic takes place.

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” 

Marcus Aurelius

Clarity

Most of the problems we face could be solved, or avoided entirely if we had clarity. When you’re thinking clearly, you’re able to recognize whether a problem is within your control or not. If it is, you act. If it isn’t, you let it go. Simple. But without that clarity, you waste precious time and energy on things that don’t deserve your peace of mind.

Lack of clarity also leads to living on autopilot and is one of the worst things one could do. To just live life passively, consume mindlessly, living in the past or the future, neglecting the present moment, not seizing it, it’s exactly how life passes by, and the scary thing is that some people never achieve the level of awareness to be able to acknowledge this.

Don’t just be clear on your goals, be explicit. Know them so well that every obstacle becomes obvious, every distraction instantly recognizable. When your vision is sharp, you seek adversity because without it, you will not become better. You don’t get thrown off course, you see exactly how each temptation, or setback, is just a test of how badly you want it. Clarity doesn’t just show you the path, it shows you what to ignore.

“It’s a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.”

Steve Maraboli

Purpose

I believe that if a man’s goal is backed by purpose, then he will never experience Arrival Fallacy. In order to know your purpose, you must have clarity; only then will you be able to realize and appreciate the man you are becoming along the way to achieving that goal.

In my experience, purpose is not an easy thing to acquire. Your purpose must be deep and meaningful to you. Otherwise, if it’s not strong enough, it will be harder to maintain a clear mind and pursue it without deviations.

I believe that our priority should be in finding our purpose and pursuing it relentlessly. Right now, I live by the concept of Kaizen — the philosophy of continuous self-improvement. Every day, I push myself to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. I set short-term and long-term goals and create challenges to level up in each area. But deep down, I know that without true purpose and clarity, even the goals I accomplish will feel empty. Progress without direction is just movement, not fulfillment.

“If a man’s purpose is not his priority, everything in his life will suffer.”

David Deida

Live meaningfully

I believe that one of the best things we can do is strive for meaning, not happiness. Have a meaningful purpose. Seek clarity. Happiness, peace, and fulfillment will follow.

This is no easy task ! Most people live their lives without even seeking purpose. Not me. I was not made to live an ordinary life. My life will be meaningful and purposeful—and in the end there will be a great story to tell.

Chase purpose, not pleasure. One fades, the other fulfills.

I encourage those who read this to reflect on the ideas I’ve shared and explore them further through books, long-form articles, videos, and personal experimentation. Set meaningful goals. Write. Create. Try new things. All in pursuit of something deeper: meaning.

“Don’t aim to be happy. Aim to be useful.”

Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m not here to pose as an expert. I’m someone who thinks deeply, writes often, and shares what I find along the way.

Writing helps me sharpen my thinking. Lately, I’ve started putting it out there — through threads and blog posts — not because I have all the answers, but because I’m committed to the pursuit. To clarity, meaning, and growth.

I am a student of Life—and I will always be.

Thank you for reading.