Back in the late 90s, two graduate students at Stanford decided to take on a crazy challenge: building a better search engine. Larry Page and Sergey Brin weren’t trying to create just another website—they wanted to organize the world’s information. At the time, it sounded more like a pipe dream than a business plan.
Fast forward to today, and Google is woven into our daily lives. What’s remarkable isn’t just the company’s success, but the way its founders thought about goals. Their approach offers some surprisingly practical lessons for the rest of us.
Here are three worth keeping close.
1. Work on Something “Uncomfortably Exciting”
When Larry Page gave a commencement speech at the University of Michigan in 2009, he told graduates: “Always work hard on something uncomfortably exciting.”
That phrase has stuck with me. It’s a reminder that if a goal feels too safe, it’s probably not going to change you. Google itself was born from discomfort. Page and Brin maxed out credit cards, filled dorm rooms with servers, and had no guarantee things would work. But it was exciting enough to keep them going.
Next time you’re setting a goal, ask yourself: does this make me a little nervous—and a lot curious? If so, you’re probably on the right track.
2. Find Goals That Get You Out of Bed
Another one of Page’s lines goes like this: “If you’re changing the world, you’re working on important things. You’re excited to get up in the morning.”
Think about that. Most of us have dragged ourselves out of bed for something that didn’t feel meaningful—whether it was a job, a project, or even a personal resolution that didn’t connect to what we really cared about. It’s exhausting.
Compare that with Google’s mission: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. That kind of purpose gives energy. It makes the long hours and tough decisions feel worthwhile.
So when you set goals, don’t just think about what you want to achieve—ask yourself why it matters. If the answer excites you, you’ve found the right kind of goal.
3. Success Isn’t Just About Winning
Sergey Brin once said: “Obviously everyone wants to be successful, but I want to be looked back on as being very innovative, very trusted and ethical and ultimately making a big difference in the world.”
That’s a refreshing take. In a culture that often measures success by money or status, Brin reminds us that how we reach our goals is just as important as what we achieve.
Think about the entrepreneurs and leaders who inspire you most. Chances are, it’s not just because of what they built—but because they stood for something while building it.
When you’re working toward your own goals, it’s worth asking: what values do I want to be known for? If you can keep those front and center, your success will feel a lot more fulfilling.
Final Thoughts
Larry Page and Sergey Brin didn’t just build a search engine—they redefined how we think about goals. Aim for what excites and scares you a little. Make sure it connects to something meaningful. And don’t lose sight of the values you want to carry with you.
Big goals don’t just change the world. They change you.
This article was written by Harry Che, founder of GoalsOnTrack which, with its built-in AI coaching, helps you track progress and stay motivated, ensuring you reach your dreams faster and smarter.