This time let’s challenge a bit the idea of goal setting. It is quite fundamental in personal growth area, yes! Still, is setting right goals key to the success?
You can hear from all directions that having goals and vision is so important. There is tremendous amount of Success Literature on this subject. Some good books I have read include nice work of Brian Tracey’s and Stephen Covey’s. An let’s be clear here having well defined vision of what you want to achieve always can make an impact. Still this time around I want to challenge a bit the idea that having right objectives is key to the success. Let’s have a look.
Sports is quite a good example to pick up. Just think about it. Regardless what type of sports competition we would pick up – football, F1 racing, athletics, cycling or any other really – every team or individual have the same aim… to win. Even if, let’s say football team, knows has less quality than the opponent, the objective remains the same, to win the game. One can argue then that both loosers and winners have the same goals!
What make the difference then ?
If goals are shared across ineffective and effective individuals, then what really make the difference. How success people differ from those who fail? Now, that is rally a BIG question indeed and of course there is no one short answer here. Still, there is one thing I want to point out!
The true difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is… the process itself! Just think about it, the worst and the best athletes can have the same goals, but they will have totally different process of tackling their challenges. In example, type of training they do, amount of time they dedicate to it, feedback they get, way they react on it etc. There are thousands of nuances that lead to perfect match, game, set, ride or run. The process we follow, defines how well we perform, not just what we aim at!
Moreover, you don’t have to meet you 10 000 km cycling goal to say you are cyclist! If you have right process – cycle regularly, put enough effort it, each time you can see the progress etc. – you are heading into right direction, you are cyclist already! Most of all, if you aim at the right process not a goal, you get constant satisfaction flow. In example, building cyclist identity, instead of waiting for goals to be met. You don’t have to wait weeks to feel that dopamine reward kick of completing big 6 month goal. With ‘process focus’ each time you do a right step you feel satisfied, each day literally. It helps to build type of habits that will make that ultimate difference at the “end of the race”.
Focusing on the habit forming rather than the outcome, helps you to perfect your routine. In consequence your progress could take unexpectedly faster pace. Then initial goal could be quickly outdated. Moreover as you perfect yourself thanks to good daily practice you have better insight. Overtime you may change slightly direction you’re taking. This is the case quite often nowadays when change is all over the place. In sports, in business, in parenting, in health, in all areas world is changing in fast pace. Goals set 6 months ago may not keep up. But the process will, as this is your daily practice that you adjust as you go!
So, does it means we don’t need goals?
Well, not really! They should NOT be your core focus though. It’s really good to have clear goals you want to tackle, but do focus on the process instead. Try to create a vision rather then very much classic SMART type goals. Be clear about direction you are taking, but not actual checkpoints. Treat each step each activity as kind of ‘goal’. Do it in a process way. Using that approach you will make sure your heading int right direction, but will not be bound to objectives that could be quickly outdated or too long awaited!
Most importantly do challenge your vision quite regularly. With the process approach it is quite easy, as you focus on each daily activity. Thus if things are getting into wrong direction you’ll know about it quite quickly. As you gain more practice and insight in given areas you will be able to reassess if your initial assumptions were right. For instance as you cycled a good bit already, you may decide to change from road cycle to cross country bike or so.
Same is quite true with any other hobby, but also with the career. Once you done a fair bit of Project Management for instance you will understand it better. Now, you can validate if that is an area you want to continue to grow. Or maybe adjust the direction to pick up, let’s say, Product Owner or any other professional role.
Regardless where you heading challenge that direction and use process approach, not goals, to get there!
Btw… if you want to check quick read on direction setting (not specific goals) do recommend this one: Why your 20s are so important.
Also if you want to read more on ‘The Process’ approach, do check out James Clear’s Book on building habits, its is an excellent read!