This weeks podcast (36 birthdays left… if you are lucky) inspired by The Art of Brilliance 4000 weeks email has really made me think. If you read my last blog about self care you will know that the last few months I have definitely been surviving rather than thriving. But a week off has made me realise quite how much I needed a break and that it is time to set some goals as well as some boundaries.
At my first physio appointment after my hip surgery, the physio asked me if I had any goals in mind… I had to be honest – I hadn’t set any as I was too scared in case they were unachievable. I din’t want to fail and be disappointed with myself, which probably isn’t living life to the fullest.
Four and a half months on and I have been for my second run (week one run one of the couch to 5km repeated) and goals seem like they might be something I could start to think about.
This got me thinking about the different ways we set goals and work towards them, and what happens when (and why) they sometimes go wrong.
Goal setting methods
I had a quick google and had no idea how many different ideas and acronyms there are for goal setting…
- SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time sensitive
- OKRs – Objective and Key Results
- Backward Goal Setting – Start at your desired end-point and work backward to figure out what you need to do today.
- Process vs Outcome Goals – Instead of focusing on the outcome (the end goal) you focus on the process goals – the things you do everyday/week to achieve the end goal.
- The GAP method – A weekly planning method where you set a small Goal, identify Actionable steps, and Protect time blocks in your calendar to execute them.
- System over goals – using habit stacking so instead of focusing on the end goal you make small day to day changes and add them onto an existing habit to ensure success. (Read James Clears Atomic Habits)
- WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan): An evidence-based mental strategy developed by psychologist Gabriele Oettingen. You think of your Wish, the positive Outcome, the internal or external Obstacle, and create an If-Then Plan to overcome it.
- The Acid Test – now this one got my attention! A reality-check method that involves asking yourself two questions: Am I able to do what is needed? Am I willing to do what it takes? Watch this Ted talk with Chuck Wachendorfer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKVAGxoU2AM&t=4s
With the EquiTeam Goal Setting plan we focus on SMART Goals and we also include steps to break down the big goal into manageable smaller goals and also think about what could get in the way of the goals and how to stop that happening.
Dr Andy of Art of Brilliance isn’t a fan of SMART goals – he likes HUGGs – Huge Unbelievably Great Goals – these are the biggies; the ones that have to ignite the fire in your belly. They sit at the top of a pyramid supported by smaller blocks – the Small Unbelievably Great Goals and under these are the daily habits – helping you become the person who shows up every day in pursuit of the HUGG!
All of these methods have an end goal and a way to get there. Everyone is different and will find the method that suits them, but I still keep going back to the two questions in the Acid test – Am I able to do what is needed? Am I willing to do what it takes?
As I said in my last blog – Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes! So I am questioning – what do I need to change and how hard am I willing to work to get to my HUGG?
If you aren’t ready to commit to a big goal, but want to make some smaller changes, you could try the Spring Intentions download which gives you the opportunity to look at your wins from the last few months, what you want to let go of and new habits you’d like to create.
We would love to know your goals and how you plan on achieving them, so do share in EquiTeam Connected and if there is something you need help with then please get in touch – info@equiteam.co.uk
