Goals or Systems

A friend recently sent me an article which opened by telling me, basically, goals are useless. I think we both had the same initial reaction to the author. James Clear attempts to tell us we are wrong about the goal setting approach to accomplishment. 

Coincidentally, I received this article while I was working on building a presentation about goal setting. I read an article from Forbes on goal setting and was to deliver a short brief to my office about the importance of setting goals and how to achieve them. There are countless articles on the internet about goal setting.

I've always believed in the power of SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. Using the acronym to set goals gives us a better chance of achieving them and realizing that euphoric sense of accomplishment. Goals have always been a powerful tool for me and for many others. I tell people to take their goals to the next level by setting SMART, micro-goals. 

Whatever our goals are, personal or professional, I find it helpful to break down the steps of that goal and treat each of them as a goal on the path to the ultimate goal. If I want to squat 400 lbs, I first have to squat 100 lbs. That's my first micro-goal, squatting 100 lbs. Micro-goals allow me to work toward my ultimate goal without feeling as overwhelmed or disheartened by the time it takes me to get there.

Micro-goals also allow me to reevaluate my goals as I go. If squatting 100lbs took longer to achieve than I planned, then this is a good opportunity to relook at my ultimate goal and readdress how I plan to achieve it. I can adjust the timeline or the system I'm using to chase my goal.

This is where James Clear's article is actually very useful. He points out 4 problems with goals and makes a good case against them. I don't think he's completely against goal setting, but he says to reevaluate what's actually important, the goal or the system.

The problems he points out are:

1. Winners and Losers have the same goals 

2. Achieving a goal is only a momentary change

3. Goals restrict happiness 

4. Goals are at odds with long-term progress

His article is worth reading and reflecting on. It definitely made me consider buying his book (the article is an excerpt from his book). 

I mostly agree with what James Clear is telling us. The systems we use to accomplish things are more important than the goals we aim for. Graduating from college with a 4.0 GPA is based on the system we use to study and get good grades, not on signing up for classes for four years. Squatting 500 lbs will never happen for anyone if form is terrible and workouts are sparse or ineffective.

Maybe squatting 500 lbs isn't even the right goal. Maybe we're focusing on the wrong problem. Maybe the right goal is getting my legs as strong as they can be and the only way to do that is by ensuring my workouts, diet, and rest are adequate to achieve that.

Relooking the systems we use to achieve the goals we want in life is certainly worth thinking about. 

The article: https://jamesclear.com/goals-systems

New Year's Resolutions; Attempts Made by the Undisciplined

I'm not a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Personally, I find them to be cheap, insincere, excuses.

If you want to change something about yourself, just do it. Stop waiting. Don't use the calendar as an excuse to put off something that you want to do. We are given 365 days a year to make decisions about who we are and who we want to be. If you're willing to completely ignore 364 of those days (364 opportunities to change), then do you honestly believe that you are going to change yourself on day one, simply because the year changes? I don't think so.

Donald Sensing talks about this particular issue as well in a post last month. I personally agree with him and think that his points are valid. I want to bring up some other thoughts as well though.

If you have goals, go after them. Don't wait. By establishing New Year's Resolutions, you are essentially making as many as 364 daily decisions NOT to make yourself better. Why then, after creating a habit of NOT making yourself better, do you expect that you are suddenly going to stick with a new habit and be a better you? It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Now, for some help in bettering yourself.

1. Set goals. Think BIG picture. What is the desired end-state for you? Where do you want to be? Now, with that in mind, when do you want to have this goal accomplished? Once you've answered those questions, you are ready to begin.

2. Set "micro-goals." Now that you've established the long-term goal, think through all the steps that it is going to take to get there and put dates to each of those micro goals, working backwards, each building on the previous, to accomplish your over-all desired goal.

3. Start today, not in 2016!

Here is an example.

Goal: I want to have my Master's degree in X. I want to graduate with the class of 2018. It will cost me $$$$$
Micro-goals:
1. I must enroll in grad classes in the fall of 2016. I must have saved $$$$.
2. I must submit my applications in the spring of 2016. I must have saved $$$.
3. I must take GRE/GMAT/other required measurement in the fall of 2015. I must have saved $$.
4. I must start studying for the GRE/GMAT/other required measurement in the summer of 2015. I must have saved $.
5. I must start saving for tuition today!

This is a pretty simple, rudimentary example. If you have larger goals (I want to be a Doctor, a Lawyer, an Astronaut), it will require more thought, probably more time, and plenty of dedication.

My point is this, if you don't like something about yourself, don't wait to change...change now.