Chapter 1: The Evolution of Goals

Have you ever considered whether you should stop setting goals?

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash — I felt compelled to share this image. There’s something truly captivating about the classic typewriter.

Is there a moment in life when goals lose their significance? I personally enjoy establishing goals, but they must hold true importance for me. Reflecting on a recent family discussion at the start of the year, someone inquired about our goals for the upcoming year.

Interestingly, many individuals over the age of 50 (I’m 51, by the way) seemed to lack goals. I suspect some may have had aspirations but chose not to disclose them. Personally, I often keep my own goals private.

This situation isn't exclusive to the older generation; as a Mindset Coach, I’ve encountered individuals of various ages who refrain from goal setting. However, I am curious if the importance of goal setting diminishes as we age.

At 51, I still feel driven to accomplish much. There is a wealth of knowledge and experiences I aspire to pursue. Goals provide clarity for my business and personal life.

It's important to note that my aspirations have transformed significantly compared to when I was 20 or 30. Some priorities I held at 18 seem trivial to me now.

My Top 3 Goal Setting Insights

1. Personal Relevance: My goals must resonate with me. Reflecting on my past, I realize I’ve set objectives that mattered more to others than to myself, which I no longer do.
2. Clarity and Measurability: Ambiguous goals yield ambiguous results. I ensure that I can track my progress and recognize exactly when I’ve achieved a goal.

For instance, instead of saying, "I will write more this month," I specify: "Last month, I published 10 stories on Medium, mostly short-form. This month, I aim to publish 10 longer pieces (over 500 words) on Medium." This allows for measurable progress throughout the month, aiming for one longer story every three days.

3. Actionability: My goals must be attainable through my efforts. If not, they become mere intentions. For example:
   • Actionable Goal: "Publish my Mindset newsletter every Tuesday."
   • Intention: "I will have over 1,000 newsletter subscribers by year's end."

Note: I always frame my intentions as affirmations. This dual approach of setting both goals and intentions works effectively for me.

I don’t foresee myself abandoning goal setting anytime soon. For me, it provides direction, motivation to rise each day, and a sense of positivity.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts: Do you set goals?

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Chapter 2: The Perspective Shift

In exploring the significance of goal setting, let’s examine two insightful videos.

The first video, "Why You Should Stop Setting Goals (Yes, Really) | Emmanuel Acho | TED," delves into the potential downsides of traditional goal setting and encourages a thoughtful reconsideration of our approaches.

The second video, "GOALS ARE DUMB. Instead of setting goals, I believe in setting an objective with no limitations," presents an alternative perspective on pursuing objectives without the constraints of conventional goal setting.