I spent years confusing goals for wishes. Thinking and writing about your goals doesn't make them come true. You can think, write, and wish about anything you want. I’ve learned that there is a systematic process to achieving a desired outcome, and it goes something like this...
A goal is a target, and should be a target within a thought-out vision of what you want from life. This goal is only a reference point, a mile marker on the way toward your destination. It should be an objective measure of how you are doing; a measure of how effective your system is.
You can ascribe to writing "SMART" goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to you, within a timeframe. Sure, these help. But what will determine whether or not you achieve a desired outcome is the quality of the system you build to actually execute and do the activities on a daily and weekly basis that are required to achieve that outcome.
I made the habit of setting beautiful, written out, lofty goals having not a clue what I needed to do on a daily and weekly basis to hit them. These were wishes. I had no idea how achievable or relevant my goals were because I didn't know what I need to do on a daily and weekly basis.
Build a system and focus on inputs…
You set the goal: Read 24 books this year. Great, you wrote it down and look at it every day. It’s specific, measurable, relevant, and with a deadline. But what does that actually mean? It means you have to read two per month; one book every 15 days. The average book is 320 pages, so if you want to hit your target of 24 books in a year you need to read at least 21 pages per day.
Your [read 21 pages per day] is your required input to execute and hit your target. Is that realistic for you and your current life? If you read 6 books last year then 24 might be tough given your current habits and lifestyle. What do you have to give up on a daily basis to give yourself more time to read your 21 pages? What do you have to say no to? Can you say no to them? If it's things that are higher priority then you probably won't make the time to read.
You determine a desired outcome for any aspect of your life. Spiritual, physical, intellectual, financial, work, relationships, etc. Anything you want...
Do you want to lose weight? What food do you need to eat (or avoid) and how long do you need to exercise on a daily and weekly basis.
Do you want to improve your relationships? What act of service, favor, or thoughtful word do you need to that person daily or weekly?
Do you want to make 30 sales this year? How many daily conversations with potential clients do you need to have? How many appointments do you need to go on this week?
Each desired outcome you want requires you to drill down to what daily inputs are required to reach it. These inputs are your daily priorities. They are your most important things. This is the basis of your system.
You have different aspects of your life that need attention depending on your desired life outcome. Spiritual, physical, intellectual, financial, work, relationships, etc. With each comes a specific input. The combination of your inputs is your system. Your constant focus should be on actually doing and executing your inputs on a daily basis. Then over time you can measure how well your system is working for you based on the actual results you are seeing in your life.
Inputs: Did I wake up at 5:00AM today? Did I exercise today? Did I read 21 pages today? Did I eat only healthy food today? Did I make 10 phone calls to customers today? Did I write 500 words today? Did I perform a conscious act of service for my spouse today? Did I encourage my kids today? Did I go to bed at 10pm today?
These are yes or no, black and white, and objective. You did or you did not. You know in real-time whether you’re on the path and building the life you want, or not.
Finally, and here's the amazing part. The mystery. Each input successfully executed contributes to your whole system. The more consistent you are with one the more builds for another. The consistent execution of your inputs creates momentum. When I eat healthier I'm more likely to get up on time. When I make my calls I'm more likely to eat healthy. When I exercise I'm more likely to love my wife. The momentum that is generated is why inputs are more important than goals…
When I consistently execute my inputs I outperform any expectation or goal I’ve set for myself. In fact, I’ve found that setting goals based on my own expectations can be limiting. I underestimate how powerful consistent execution of inputs over time can be.
When I read the 24th book, do I stop reading? When I reach a desired weight do I stop working out and start eating like crap? When I have a good relationship with my spouse do I stop showing them love? When I serve 30 clients do I stop serving? We don't know the power of momentum and compound interest.
It's not about goals or targets. It’s not about the number of books but about learning! It's not about the number of clients but serving others and building relationships. It's not about the money but providing for your family and contributing to the world. It's not about the weight but about having energy, health, and vitality.
Consider goals as measurable targets. Use them as penciled-in expectations with the purpose of providing a framework of what your daily and weekly activities should be. Then focus on these little daily inputs that are totally within your control. If you did not reach a target when you wanted or are unhappy with a particular outcome then simply adjust an input, tweak your system.
Focus on the little things that you can control, the inputs. Those daily decisions and habits. Then let the law of momentum, compound interest, and God take care of the rest.
Comments