Goal Setting: A Reverse Engineering Approach
In order to have the answers to a problem, you must first ask the right questions. In order to plan a successful trip, you should of course know the destination. Similarly, in order to take full advantage of one’s goal-setting process, you must do so with the “endgame” in mind. In the following post, I will attempt to provide what I believe should be the basis to help determine (or re-assess) your goals, and their paths for completion.
Goal Setting 101: “SMART” Principles & Behavior vs. Outcome
I won’t waste any words or time covering the “SMART” goal-setting principles, as you can easily Google search them to find numerous articles & materials on what they are and how to implement them. I do want to acknowledge a fellow Medium article on goal setting, which can be found here, that adds an “ER” to make the equation “SMARTER,” with the “E” standing for “Evaluate,” and the “R” representing “Reward” or “Revisit.” I do, however, want to take a moment to review the difference between outcome & behavior goals, as the understanding & utilization of both can aid in creating a more executable plan.
Outcome Goals — The Easy Part
For most of us, outcome goals are easy, especially in the fitness realm: I want to lose “x” pounds, I want to increase my bench press, I want to look better in the mirror, and so on. We all generally know what we want, but it’s the how that holds us back, and that’s where behavior goals come in.
Behavior Goals — The Actionable Part
For every outcome goal, there should typically be at least 1–2 behavior goals “implemented” to aid in its completion. Sure you want to lose weight, but what are you going to do to make it happen? The same “SMART” principles can also apply to these. These should be things that are fairly easy & realistic to be able to accomplish on a regular basis.
There’s nothing wrong with failure — but it’s easier to set a “low” standard, secure an early win, and then raise the bar, as opposed to setting the expectation too high early, falling on your face, and calling it quits due to discouragement.
Choosing the Destination: Vision, Mission, Dream
Goal setting basics aside, I firmly believe that you must first believe in the ultimate outcome before determining how you’re going to get there. While going as far as determining “mission” and “vision” statements may not be necessary, unless starting a new business or enterprise, knowing the end goal, perhaps the “dream scenario,” is absolutely necessary.
Every goal, objective, employee, etc, should be able to clearly recognize, understand & recite the mission/vision/dream of the entity that they abide to or work for, as that will serve as the guiding force through trial & tribulation.
For me, the endgame is no longer a specific job or title; instead, I have begun to shift towards pursuing opportunities within organizations that are guided by sound principles & systems, with the right people in place to collaborate alongside of & achieve my greater purpose with. For example, my current dream/vision statement, within my professional goal templates, reads as such…
Creating a Template: Setting Goals, and Completing Them!
Speaking of templates… As a strength coach & personal trainer, I have learned the hard way that templates make all things easier. If you can create a strong template — based in, yes, sound principles & structure — then you can simply “plug & chug” for each program or endeavor that follows. The following is an example of my current personal goals template, updated on a quarterly basis…
During our current pandemic, I’ve found it challenging to stay motivated for bigger picture goals set on a three-month (quarterly) basis, so I plan to switch to a monthly template, or simply create a weekly goal list to keep in my workspace to help stay motivated through the current day-to-day monotony. As referenced previously, the ability to evaluate & adjust accordingly is as important as any.
Closing
While this is by no means an A-Z guide to goal setting, I hope that the ideas shared will spark some ideas for your own use, either personally or professionally. Remember that any progress is better than none, and you can always reset & reevaluate. If you are interested in obtaining an editable version of the goal templates, feel free to contact me via email me at cjhays15@gmail.com.