I remember an interview with a very wealthy person. While describing his young adulthood he mentioned having the goal of buying his first luxury watch (think $10k equivalent today).

Now I don't like the if-you're-not-a-billionaire-then-your-entirely-incomplete subtext of motivation/self-improvement culture, but this man spoke honestly about having a goal to acquire something luxurious for himself, and the work ethic it instilled in his younger self.

I suppose the point is there is a huge different between life goals (even material ones) and retail therapy.

Getting married (as in, finding someone you want to marry and making it happen) is a mission. Perhaps becoming a parent is for many. Striving to be a good parent is definitely a mission.