Have you set goals for yourself in 2024?
Maybe you have work goals that you’re expected to meet or personal goals, like improving your English, exercising more, passing an exam, decluttering, finding more time for yourself…
In the past, I used to repeat the same pattern over and over again:
I would set my professional and private goals…
… and then I got frustrated with myself when I didn’t achieve them.
Does this sound familiar in any way?
If so, read on 🙂
In the business world, we’re often encouraged to set SMART goals or stretch goals.
But here’s what I discovered.
They didn’t work for me.
And they don’t work for many of my clients.
SMART goals and stretch goals can in fact result in a lot of unnecessary effort, disappointment, and squished self-esteem.
Instead, here’s what I found works for a lot of high performers:
1. Consider lowering your expectations
I was shocked years ago when I was working with a productivity coach and she said, “Aim for average, Helen.”
Whaaaaaaat?!!!
But wouldn’t that make me seem lazy? Surely that would mean that I wouldn’t get everything done???
It turned out that she was absolutely right.
When I took the PRESSURE off myself, it was MUCH easier for me to excel and ultimately exceed my expectations!
Now, this might not work for everyone. I encourage you to consider and experiment with what works for you.
Very often, women who join my programs – for example in the Women’s Success Essentials experience – set themselves a list of goals at the start.
And each goal is quite ambitious, like “Study English for an hour every day.”
That may sound great, but I ask them if it’s realistic considering how full their schedule is already!
And I’m sure you’ve experienced yourself that some days things just don’t go to plan. Our best intentions can easily go out of the window.
So then maybe they say, “Okay, I’m going to study English for an hour 5 days a week.”
Great that they’ve reduced the expectation from every day, but an hour each time may be difficult.
Eventually, they realize this:
You can set a ridiculously easy goal, so that you won’t fail. Then you can always do more!
You can always do more if you have the time and energy to spare.
Contrast that with the disheartening feeling of having a goal that you simply don’t have the time and energy to achieve.
I believe in starting by setting yourself up for success by making your goals easier to achieve. Less effort, more impact.
Then the next stage is to set bigger goals, but with this in mind…
2. Be unattached to the outcome
A game changer for me years ago was learning that I could set goals and NOT be attached to the outcome!
This means that I do my best to achieve the goal, but if it turns out that I don’t get there, I’m okay with that.
It’s enough to know that I did my best.
And I reflect and learn from the experience.
I don’t have to give myself a hard time if I don’t achieve the goal.
This is so important because, as you may have noticed, sometimes things happen that affect your goal and are out of your control.
This can especially be the case with work-related goals and an unpredictable economic environment.
A while ago, I was watching a popular UK TV program called The Hotel Inspector. In each episode Alex Polizzi, a superstar hotelier and businesswoman (who wears fabulous earrings), helps struggling hotel owners to turn around their businesses.
In this particular episode, she worked with two brothers and set ambitious goals to improve their hotel occupancy rates. With Alex’s expert advice and the brothers’ commitment, all was going tremendously well.
This was in early 2020. And we all know what happened next, right?
With the pandemic, the brothers didn’t achieve their occupancy goal. But they quickly changed their strategy to focus on pizza delivery and were able to keep the business going.
This was such a FANTASTIC example of not being attached to the outcome and being flexible based on the circumstances.
In my view, the best thing about this approach of being unattached to the outcome is that it stops you from wasting your mental and emotional energy due to giving yourself a hard time.
You can then use that energy in more meaningful and productive ways.
And, as I always say, consider the impact on those around you too – work colleagues, family, and friends.
How are they affected if you’re frustrated or upset from being attached to a goal that you can’t achieve?
Conversely, imagine the influence of seeing you going with the flow, learning from the situation, and moving forward with a positive attitude.
So, from now, whenever you’re goal setting, keep these 2 tips in mind for less effort and more impact:
- Consider lowering your expectations!
- Be unattached to the outcome
Missing the Sasuga! Podcast?
You might enjoy Episode 196: Do These 3 Things To Achieve Your Goals with special guest Sandra Petreikyte