Breakdown:

1. Stepping Away from Pop Music for Happiness
   Choosing to stop making pop music is a deliberate decision, rooted in the realization that mainstream success didn’t bring lasting happiness. Achieving fame and recognition as a pop artist left a sense of emptiness, highlighting the importance of finding true fulfillment beyond external achievements.
2. Reaching the Pinnacle Without Satisfaction
   After reaching the height of pop mainstream success, what appeared to be a dream come true ended up feeling unfulfilling. This experience underscores that achieving goals doesn’t always lead to contentment, especially when those goals don’t align with a deeper sense of purpose.
3. Finding Purpose Early and Its Impact
   Finding a purpose at a young age, such as becoming a successful musician, can create challenges later in life. Once the goal is achieved, there may be a sense of “What’s next?” This emptiness stems from confusing goals with purpose, leading to a lack of direction once those goals are fulfilled.
4. The Importance of Self-Worth Beyond Work
   The realization that self-worth shouldn’t be tied to work or achievements is key to happiness. Identifying with external accomplishments can create a cycle of seeking validation through success. Once this mindset is challenged, it opens the door to a more authentic sense of fulfillment.
5. Struggling with Identity After Achieving Goals
   Even after realizing that goals don’t define personal value, it’s a daily struggle to maintain this perspective. The challenge lies in shifting from equating success with self-worth to finding happiness in a deeper, more purposeful way.
6. The Common Misconception Between Purpose and Goals
   Many people mistakenly believe that their purpose is tied to specific achievements, such as becoming a pop star or having a number-one hit. However, these are goals, not purposes. A true purpose is something that continually drives you forward and can’t be fully “achieved” in a traditional sense.
7. Purpose is Ongoing, Not a Destination
   Purpose isn’t a destination that you reach once and for all. Unlike goals, which can be attained, purpose is a lifelong journey that you build on and live out daily. Understanding this difference is crucial for long-term fulfillment.
8. Shifting Focus from External to Internal Fulfillment
   The realization that pop music, fame, and success didn’t bring lasting happiness led to a necessary shift in focus. True fulfillment comes from within, from living a purpose that aligns with personal values and passions, rather than external validation.
9. Purpose Evolves Over Time
   Purpose isn’t static; it evolves as you grow and change. What may have felt like a purpose early in life—such as achieving fame—may shift as you gain new insights and experiences. Embracing this evolution is essential for sustained happiness.
10. Living with Purpose Beyond Achievement
    The journey to discovering and living your purpose is ongoing. Rather than equating purpose with specific milestones, it’s about aligning your actions and passions with what brings you fulfillment on a deeper level. This shift brings a more lasting sense of contentment and meaning.

In summary, the difference between goals and purpose is crucial to understanding why success doesn’t always bring happiness. Purpose is an ongoing journey, not tied to external achievements. True fulfillment comes from aligning with what genuinely brings you joy and meaning, beyond the highs of career success.