Goals Aren’t Finish Lines
There are sixteen steps to my office. I decided to double my trips. When I go up. I go back down and up again. I want to protect my health by increasing physical activity.
The best goals are habits, not finish lines.
Low-Friction Goals
- Drink a cup of water before a cup of coffee.
- Double time on the stairs.
- Have one conversation that solely benefits another.
- Listen without interrupting during one meeting today.
- Ask two questions before making one statement. (Are you saying…? What makes this important to you? / What have you tried? What did you learn? / Tell me more. What do you suggest?)
- Read 10 pages in a book before bed.
- List one big rock every morning.
- Write three sentences about your day before dinner.
Useful goals can be achieved over and over.
Update:
I set my goal February 1. It works because I’m already on the steps. Just turn and go back up. (Habit Stacking)
When time allows, I make 10 trips instead of 2. Best day is 1,200 steps (600 down and 600 up). My stretch goal is 1,576 steps up. The observatory on the Empire State Building.
What needs to be true of goals that work?
What low-friction goal would serve you well?
Meaningful Action Beats Big Goals
Excellent post this morning Dan. Achieving goals allows you to move the goals (finish line) to higher and higher aspirations. Leadership is a journey and there is always something we can improve upon.
Incremental improvement defeats boredom and apathy. If ultimate attainment isn’t possible, then we must focus on the process. If we focus on an unattainable goal we are defeated. Why try? The glory is in the striving.
Of course, this does not apply to lower-level goals like producing 10 widgets an hour.
Excellent post, with actionable ideas that can change your behavior.
Thank you Sara. Best for the journey.
Another piece to goals is accountability. When posting your step goals here, you are involving all your readers and keeping yourself accountable. Good job!
Good point, Vern. Accountability includes telling others what you are working on.
Love this post. And I’ve read the “Habit Stacking” book you reference in the post. It’s a good one. Water. Physical activity. Walks. Rest. Listening. All goals that increase the performance of a leader.
So true, Josh. Basics like the ones you listed are foundational to reaching our potential. I think we’re seduced by dramatic goals and techniques. Better to focus on the basics first.