A lot of information on how to set good goals is readily accessible out there. For some reason, a lot of that information gives me a feeling of upsetting distaste. Yes, I know they should be 'Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic - Timely' (aka SMART), but who wishes to be smart when setting goals? Where is the fun in that?
I think goal setting, at least the major, end goals, must be exciting and depict the life and death nature of it all. So, I think they should be more like an Indiana Jones movie than a strategy.
How does my little analogy work? Follow me!
(Helps if you have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, or at least a take off of it. If you haven't, just YouTube 'Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Famous Scene'.)
You must first see the goal in front of you like an idol (this is simply for illustration purposes, being a Christian I never suggest idolatry, unless you like plagues). Can you see it? Gleaming on its little pedestal asking to be reached? Great.
Now look at the bag of sand you have been carrying and work out if you have enough sand for the weight of your idol. Sand is the every day material that you will need to give up: time, resources, money, etc. How heavy is your idol? How much will you have to hand over in order to achieve it? Do you have enough?
You are anxious for a little bit as you slowly place the sand for the goal and celebrate when you pull it free - you have just agreed to a goal you believe you can reach.
Hold on! It's not the end. You still need to escape from the cave together with your goal to realize it. That doesn't count until you are safely home with the idol. And everyone knows it's once you have decided on a goal that everything in your life tries to prevent you from reaching it.
You start running. Then comes your first pit with stakes or snakes (not snacks as I originally wrote, unless tempting snacks are likely to distract you from your goalhmmm, snacks).
Some kindly person shouts to you that you should toss them your goal and they'll give you the mundane life item to get you across this obstacle. Maybe they are saying to hand over the goal for a sensible job, just for a bit so you're able to pay the bills.
Do you throw them the idol? Well, if you do, you still need to get out of the cave alive, and you also no longer accomplish anything at the end!
Maybe you are brave and you keep hold of it, working out some way through yourself. But then life might throw a giant, rolling boulder at you. Just remember, as long as you are running towards the entrance, it is all good. Just don't forget your hat.
Obviously, when you break out with your goal, there'll be a lot of people pointing arrows and spears of criticism that want to take you down to size, making it always best to have an escape plan such as your private plane that you can fly off and indulge in your accomplishment.
That is the way I think goals should be dealt with. A lot more exciting and adventurous than being SMART.
Also, if you create a goal that isn't worth the sand you are swapping for it, or risking your life to cross the pit for, or even facing all the tribesmen wanting to kill you, then you haven't really got a good enough goal. Stick with your sand and your day job.
I think goal setting, at least the major, end goals, must be exciting and depict the life and death nature of it all. So, I think they should be more like an Indiana Jones movie than a strategy.
How does my little analogy work? Follow me!
(Helps if you have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, or at least a take off of it. If you haven't, just YouTube 'Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Famous Scene'.)
You must first see the goal in front of you like an idol (this is simply for illustration purposes, being a Christian I never suggest idolatry, unless you like plagues). Can you see it? Gleaming on its little pedestal asking to be reached? Great.
Now look at the bag of sand you have been carrying and work out if you have enough sand for the weight of your idol. Sand is the every day material that you will need to give up: time, resources, money, etc. How heavy is your idol? How much will you have to hand over in order to achieve it? Do you have enough?
You are anxious for a little bit as you slowly place the sand for the goal and celebrate when you pull it free - you have just agreed to a goal you believe you can reach.
Hold on! It's not the end. You still need to escape from the cave together with your goal to realize it. That doesn't count until you are safely home with the idol. And everyone knows it's once you have decided on a goal that everything in your life tries to prevent you from reaching it.
You start running. Then comes your first pit with stakes or snakes (not snacks as I originally wrote, unless tempting snacks are likely to distract you from your goalhmmm, snacks).
Some kindly person shouts to you that you should toss them your goal and they'll give you the mundane life item to get you across this obstacle. Maybe they are saying to hand over the goal for a sensible job, just for a bit so you're able to pay the bills.
Do you throw them the idol? Well, if you do, you still need to get out of the cave alive, and you also no longer accomplish anything at the end!
Maybe you are brave and you keep hold of it, working out some way through yourself. But then life might throw a giant, rolling boulder at you. Just remember, as long as you are running towards the entrance, it is all good. Just don't forget your hat.
Obviously, when you break out with your goal, there'll be a lot of people pointing arrows and spears of criticism that want to take you down to size, making it always best to have an escape plan such as your private plane that you can fly off and indulge in your accomplishment.
That is the way I think goals should be dealt with. A lot more exciting and adventurous than being SMART.
Also, if you create a goal that isn't worth the sand you are swapping for it, or risking your life to cross the pit for, or even facing all the tribesmen wanting to kill you, then you haven't really got a good enough goal. Stick with your sand and your day job.
About the Author:
Looking for more tips on how to become a prolific writer, see Buffy Greentree's new book The Five Day Writer's Retreat
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