The Problem With Goal Setting
By now you have probably received in your mail box a whole lot of different rounds of expert advice on how to achieve greatness by setting ambitious goals.
The problem with most goal setting techniques and the reason why they often don’t work is that they are “Binary” methods. What I mean by that is they almost work like a lottery, it’s a black and white outcome: If you reach them you feel great, if you don’t reach them you feel bad, and you probably won’t set goals again. Examples of binary goals: “I will double my business turnover by April”, “I will lose 30kg by the end of February”. If you fail, the best case scenario is you may set ambitious goals once more but your subconscious will not believe in the goal and you are simply setting yourself up for repeat failure.
Raymond Aaron, author of “Chicken Soup For The Canadian Soul” recommends a 3 step goal setting method, giving you a chance to keep getting increasingly motivated in the process. It is called the “MTO Goal setting”, as in “Minimum/Target/Outrageous” goal setting.
How does it work? First your “minimum” goal will be the least you could be expected to achieve if you are known to be really weak in this area. For example if you are known for NEVER tidying up your desk, your minimum goal may be to tidy it up once a fortnight. If you are known to NEVER exercise you may start by parking your car at least 1km from your office to trigger a minimum exercise regime. Because your minimum goal is so easily achievable you may find yourself reaching it way before deadline and start looking to your second level goal: “Target goal”.
“Target” Goals are more challenging goals but still not highly ambitious. Capitalising on the boost of motivation after reaching your minimum goal you could find yourself unexpectedly reaching your “Target Goal” before deadline as well.
What you have done so far is set yourself up for success by initiating small but measurable changes. With the sweet taste of success in reaching your “Minimum” and “Target” goals, you may now find the explosive motivation that is necessary to reach your 3rd level goal, your “Outrageous Goal”. Why would you have set an “Outrageous goal” in the first place, if you didn’t believe in it? Simply because it takes prior success to generate the belief and motivation that leads to great achievements.
“Self Transformation Is Not An Event, It’s A Process”
Les Brown. Motivational Speaker