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Set Goals in the Middle | Scott H Young
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Goal-Setting
Any goal or project will usually have these basic qualities:
- A general ambition or motivation. (e.g. learn French)
- A specific target. (e.g. speak fluently)
- A time-frame or deadline. (e.g. in 6 months)
- Constraints or methods. (e.g. practicing every day)
- Overall impression of effort/time required. (e.g. a few hours per week of moderate effort)
A goal is then a group of different features that get bundled together. Some are necessary, others are optional, and some are better to postpone.
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Goals To Start In The Middle
When a goal has high uncertainty as to what level is achievable to reach within a particular time-frame, it is better to set specific targets in the middle of the process.
Plan your goals with the variables you do have: overall direction, time-frame, level of effort and strategies.
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Reasons To Postpone Goal-Setting
- Uncertain goals should be set in the middle. This will enable you to set the correct challenge level to maximize effort.
- Some research shows that for very complex tasks, goal-setting can hinder effectiveness. This is because complex tasks are cognitively demanding in the beginning and can be frustrating because you can't perform adequately. To add on more tasks can impair your performance.
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Know When To Set A Goal
The standard approach to goal-setting works well in relatively known areas, where past performance can be used as benchmarks. However, goal-setting from the start may be counterproductive in entirely new areas.
If you wonder what's achievable for you, you may wait to set a specific target. Keep the effort and timeline goal instead.
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Ways to improve your life
There are a few different ways you can go about setting a goal or creating a new habit.
- Target the minimum output. You focus on always doing at least a little bit so t...
When to Focus on the Minimum
Minimum targeting works well for establishing long-term habits.
A goal of, for instance, doing fifty push-ups every day might not be ideal for fitness, but doing something is better than doing nothing.
Another reason to focus on the minimum is that it assumes the difficulty is in starting. To start a process can often be the hardest. Then you want to set a lower threshold to make starting as easy as possible.
When to Target the Average
Focusing on the average makes sense when you're hoping to sustain something, even if it is not always a perfectly easy and consistent output.
It works when you are already putting in a bit of effort, but want to improve that effort over the long-term.
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Why Set Personal Goals
- You are in charge. Personal goals force you to take responsibility for the actual efforts and progress.
- You see the small steps leading to a big picture: big goals c...
“Which? Why? What? How?” Technique
... for choosing personal goals. Ask yourself these questions:
- Ask yourself which aspect of your life you would like to change most.
- Think about why you want to change this.
- How will that change make you feel? Determine what exactly will make you feel this way.
- Ask yourself how you can make this happen and then make it your personal goal.
The Life Balance Chart Technique
- Draw a chart. Write down each of the various areas of your life (family, health, self-development, career, relationships) in a new column or line.
- Assess your current happiness level in each of these categories by giving it a score from 1 to 10.
- Think what will make you be fully satisfied with these areas. Write down your ideas – you will be able to transform them into personal plans.
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Goal setting gives focus
Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present.
Setting goals provides long-term vision in our lives.
Practical goal setting
- Evaluate and reflect. Regularly write down where you are right now, and if you are happy with your current level of satisfaction.
- Define your dreams and goals. What do you want? Schedule some quiet “dream time” and think about what really thrills you. Then prioritise those dreams.
- Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-sensitive)
- Have accountability. Find someone to hold you accountable to your goals.