There's a lot of information out there about how to set great goals. And for strange reasons a lot of that information sets my teeth completely on edge. Yes, I know they have to be 'Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic - Timely' (aka SMART), but who wants to be smart when setting goals? Where is the fun in that?
I believe goal setting, at least the major, end goals, should be exciting and represent the life and death nature of it all. Therefore, I think they should be similar to an Indiana Jones movie than a business plan.
How does my little analogy work? Follow me!
(Helps if you have watched 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.
At this moment look at the bag of sand you have been carrying and work out if you have sufficient sand for the weight of your idol. Sand is the every day substance that you will need to give up: time, resources, money, etc. Is your idol heavy? What quantity will you have to give up in order to attain it? Have you got enough?
You might be tense for some time as you gradually place the sand for the goal and celebrate once you pull it free - you have just opted for a goal you believe you can achieve.
But wait! It's not the end. You still need to escape from the cave together with your goal to achieve it. That doesn't count until you are safely back home with the idol. And everybody knows it's once you have decided on a goal that everything in your life tries to stop you from achieving it.
You begin running. Next comes your first pit with stakes or snakes (not snacks as I originally wrote, except if tempting snacks could very well distract you from your goalhmmm, snacks).
Some kindly person shouts to you that you should throw them your goal and they will give you the mundane life item to get you across this barrier. Maybe they are saying to surrender the goal for a sensible job, for only 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!
Perhaps you are fearless and you keep your hands on it, working out a way through yourself. But then life might throw a massive, rolling boulder towards you. Bare in mind, as long as you are running towards the entrance, it's all good. Just don't forget your hat.
Of course, when you get away with your goal, there will be a thousand people pointing arrows and spears of criticism that want to take you down to size, so it is advisable to have an escape plan such as your private plane that you can fly off and enjoy your achievement.
That's the way I think goals must be handled. A lot more exciting and adventurous than being SMART.
Likewise, in case you make a goal that isn't worth the sand you are trading for it, or risking your life to cross the pit for, or perhaps facing all the tribesmen attempting to kill you, then you haven't really got a good enough goal. Stick with your sand and your day job.
I believe goal setting, at least the major, end goals, should be exciting and represent the life and death nature of it all. Therefore, I think they should be similar to an Indiana Jones movie than a business plan.
How does my little analogy work? Follow me!
(Helps if you have watched 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.
At this moment look at the bag of sand you have been carrying and work out if you have sufficient sand for the weight of your idol. Sand is the every day substance that you will need to give up: time, resources, money, etc. Is your idol heavy? What quantity will you have to give up in order to attain it? Have you got enough?
You might be tense for some time as you gradually place the sand for the goal and celebrate once you pull it free - you have just opted for a goal you believe you can achieve.
But wait! It's not the end. You still need to escape from the cave together with your goal to achieve it. That doesn't count until you are safely back home with the idol. And everybody knows it's once you have decided on a goal that everything in your life tries to stop you from achieving it.
You begin running. Next comes your first pit with stakes or snakes (not snacks as I originally wrote, except if tempting snacks could very well distract you from your goalhmmm, snacks).
Some kindly person shouts to you that you should throw them your goal and they will give you the mundane life item to get you across this barrier. Maybe they are saying to surrender the goal for a sensible job, for only 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!
Perhaps you are fearless and you keep your hands on it, working out a way through yourself. But then life might throw a massive, rolling boulder towards you. Bare in mind, as long as you are running towards the entrance, it's all good. Just don't forget your hat.
Of course, when you get away with your goal, there will be a thousand people pointing arrows and spears of criticism that want to take you down to size, so it is advisable to have an escape plan such as your private plane that you can fly off and enjoy your achievement.
That's the way I think goals must be handled. A lot more exciting and adventurous than being SMART.
Likewise, in case you make a goal that isn't worth the sand you are trading for it, or risking your life to cross the pit for, or perhaps facing all the tribesmen attempting to kill you, then you haven't really got a good enough goal. Stick with your sand and your day job.
About the Author:
Do you need great tips on how to become a prolific writer, see Buffy Greentree's new book The Five Day Writer's Retreat. Free reprint available from: A More Adventurous Way To Set Goals.
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