• Find Funds
  • My Giving
  • Schools
  • Campus Areas
  • Causes
  • Why Give

CONNECT WITH US

310.794.2447 gifts@support.ucla.edu
Schools
  • Anderson School of Management
  • David Geffen School of Medicine
  • Fielding School of Public Health
  • Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Herb Alpert School of Music
  • Luskin School of Public Affairs
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Education & Information Studies
  • School of Law
  • School of Nursing
  • School of the Arts and Architecture
  • School of Theater, Film and Television
  • The College
Campus Areas
  • Athletics
  • Campuswide Support
  • Centers and Institutes
  • Graduate Programs
  • Grand Challenges
  • Health Sciences
  • Libraries
  • Museums
  • Scholarships
  • Student Affairs
  • UCLA Alumni
  • UCLA Extension
Causes
  • Arts
  • Athletics
  • Business
  • Community
  • Environment
  • Faculty Support
  • Global Impact
  • Health
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Research
  • Sciences
  • Student Support
  • Technology

Learn how your philanthropy can make a difference at UCLA

Menu
Give To UCLA
  • Find Funds
  • My Giving
  • Schools
  • Campus Areas
  • Causes
  • Why Give
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • Give Now

College and Professional Schools

  • Anderson School of Management
  • David Geffen School of Medicine
  • Fielding School of Public Health
  • Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Herb Alpert School of Music
  • Luskin School of Public Affairs
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Education & Information Studies
  • School of Law
  • School of Nursing
  • School of the Arts and Architecture
  • School of Theater, Film and Television
  • The College

Campus Areas

  • Athletics
  • Campuswide Support
  • Centers and Institutes
  • Graduate Programs
  • Grand Challenges
  • Health Sciences
  • Libraries
  • Museums
  • Scholarships
  • Student Affairs
  • UCLA Alumni
  • UCLA Extension
  • Arts
  • Athletics
  • Business
  • Community
  • Environment
  • Faculty Support
  • Global Impact
  • Health
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Research
  • Sciences
  • Student Support
  • Technology
Clear

The secret to achieving a dream—DON'T focus on it?

https://youtu.be/j-b3ybvNLCk

Can focusing too hard on a dream be detrimental to you achieving your goal? 

Sean Young, PhD, of the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior thinks so. “We gotta appreciate the day to day moments," he says, "the steps along the way, because that’s what keeps us on track and keeps us focused.” 

Young’s research suggests that those who can train their minds to celebrate the small steps along the way have the highest rate of success with regard to reaching their goals. Learning how to appreciate these small steps is the way to sticking with a goal. 

If your goal is to play on a big stage in front of thousands of people, you first have to be excited about playing in front of your friends or playing one song at a coffee stop. 

Just because you take your mind off of the end goal doesn’t mean you have to be less excited about the process. These small steps are the most important.

• • •

Join us for members-only access to Dr. Sean Young and to many more of UCLA’s #1-ranked faculty ► westward.ucla.edu

A book cover, mobile device and laptop streaming Westward by UCLA faculty interviews
  • FAQ

    Still have questions?
    Check out our FAQ
    for assistance.

    View The FAQ
  • Contact Us

    Can't find the fund you're looking for
    or have other questions?

    gifts@support.ucla.edu
    (310) 794-2447

    Contact Details
  • More Ways To Give

    Gifts that Provide Lifetime Income
    Bequests and Estate Gifts
    Assets to Give
    Gifts by Mail
    Giving from Abroad
    Wiring Cash Gifts
    Gifts of Securities

    Learn More
  • UCLA.edu
  • UCLA Development
  • UCLA Foundation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Donor Disclosures
  • Accessibility
  • © 2025 Regents of the University of California