Meaningful Action Beats Big Goals
Survival is success during crisis. It fails in the long-term.
Define meaningful action to thrive. Typically, we define purpose, choose goals, and set priorities. But there’s a better order. Priorities before goals.
- Define purpose
- Set priorities
- Choose goals
Meaningful Action for Individuals
Meaning takes center stage when priorities drive goals.
- Purpose infuses meaning into actions. It provides direction.
- Priorities determine focus. They define distraction.
- Goals define targets, milestones, and actions.
Goals without meaning are beasts.
Example
The purpose of life, from a Christian point of view, is to love God and people. If you don’t believe in God, love people. In practice, your purpose is to maximize contribution. There are two questions:
- How can you best contribute? (Consider values, abilities, and opportunities.)
- How can you expand your ability to meaningfully contribute?
I expand my ability to contribute by learning. It might be a coaching seminar, studying a topic, or seeking advice. I ask, how can I bring value to the people I’m coaching?
This morning, I asked my wife, “What would you love me to do for you today?” She told me, “Empty the dirt and rocks from my cart.” (I’m her garden boy.)
Summary: Meaningful action expresses purpose and aligns with priorities.
Meaningful Action for Teams
#1 Define Shared Purpose
Ask, “Why do we exist beyond making money or hitting metrics?”
Repeat it often. Embed purpose in meetings, decisions, and celebrations.
#2 Define and Communicate Priorities
Distinguish between what’s important and what’s urgent. Use “Big Rocks” principles.*
#3. Set Goals
Ask, “If we only did three things this quarter, what would they be?”
#4 Audit for Alignment
Ask, “How do our goals reflect our purpose and priorities?”
Eliminate goals that dilute focus.
#5 Honor aligned effort
What is your priority today?
Challenge: Ask each team member what their priority is today.
*Put One Big Rock on Your Calendar
*Put in the Big Rocks: How to Do Things that Matter Most Before it’s too Late
What do you mean, “If you don’t believe in God, love people.”?
Thanks for asking. The purpose of life is to love two things. People and God. If you don’t believe in God, the other part of life’s purpose still applies, love people.
By the way, Richard Leider says, The universal purpose of “Grow and Give,” will satisfy all who struggle to unlock their mystical personal purpose. https://amzn.to/3TwU1UB
Hi Dan and all,
Wow such good stuff today ! I think Big Rocks is one of your best analogies. Will think about how prioritize the setting of priorities over next few days and see how it sits ! As always thanks for sharing your insights with us
Thanks, Cate. I find it natural to just start doing stuff. Thinking about what’s most important today takes discipline and the willingness to say no.
I wish you success. I’d love to hear what you learn.
Thank you so much for sharing Dan. Would you be willing to define the terms a bit more? I think you’re saying that priorities are the general projects that spring from purpose, but are less specific than goals? For example, “learn guitar” might be a priority and “be able to play major scales in every key at 110 beats per minute after 60 days” might be a goal? Blessings and life be yours.
Hi Thomas, I think we’re on the same page.
Purpose-Growth
Priority-learn guitar (There are many ways to grow.)
Goal-for me might be learn how to hold it properly!
To add specificity, set a goal to spend 30 minutes learning how to hold a guitar from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.