I set 10-year goals. When I'm working on day-to-day things, thinking about the next three month project, sometimes I feel "this is completely pointless" and "w

I set 10-year goals. When I'm working on day-to-day things, thinking about the next three month project, sometimes I feel "this is completely pointless" and "why are they paying me to do this?" That's when I look at my goal and, hopefully, understand what it does for my bigger picture. My current goal feels awkward and completely "not me." But there's no question in my mind I can pull it off, and if I do, I'll be proud of the accomplishment. It will have meant something to me. The fact that I had a plan will also make it a good story to tell; from idea to completion (or failure). I'm sure you're already able to get comfort (if not motivation) in the day-to-day by looking at the three month level (a course). You may be looking at the annual level to understand the courses (a program or degree). The question is how this degree ties into your life, at decade level. Education is just a stepping stone to building or researching new things. So how does what you currently do fit into your picture of life? What does it enable you to do? Who will it allow you to meet? Where will it take you? And then... Never tell anyone about this goal. Don't put that pressure on yourself. The goal is for you, and you alone. You can come up with variations or tangents to tell people, if you think you can't keep quiet. I often tell friends about my 2-5 year plans, and previous 10 year plans. Those plans don't really matter to me. But my current 10-year plan is mine.