There Is absolutely no way we can talk about true success without considering goal setting. Goal setting is at the core of leadership.
Would it not be great to know how you can set your goals wrongly?
When it comes to the subject of leadership and personal development, another fundamental concept after identity, purpose and vision, is goal setting.
There are literally thousands of materials and programs on this subject from notable authorities. Talk about books, courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and coaching.
There are hundreds of thousands of materials at your disposal. However, many still get it muddled up when it comes to the actual application.
It's very likely that at some point you have set goals or tried to set your goals wrongly. In this blog post, you would learn about these wrong approaches.
By the way, before you think I am about to lecture you on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound) Goals, or even BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), knock yourself out.
Those are very important concepts, but this is way different from the norm. Let's get into the six ways you set goals wrongly.
1. Setting goals without developing competence
Goal setting goes beyond writing a task to be completed on a paper with a deadline. In other to be successful, one must include in steps, the processes required to complete that task. A section of this process that you need to pay attention to is personal development.
Many do not realise the importance of personal development. The degree to which you succeed in life, business, relationship, etc, is a function of your competence.
Competence is simply the extent to which you can deliver on the job/task. It can be measured by skill, knowledge, qualifications, and ability.
For example, Bob is a young aspiring Basketball player. His goal is to beat all Michael Jordan's records in 5 years.
Note: Lebron James already broke some of Michael's records
It would be absolutely impossible for Bob to reach this goal by doing just the same thing every other person does. He would have to develop the competence to pull such great feat. He would require a great deal of self discipline.
I like to say often that failure is inevitable when your competence and capacity doesn't match up with your goals.
To develop competence you need to be committed to daily never ending improvement and learning.
Don't go about setting goals without considering in details what it would require of you. Every dream comes with a cost.
2. Setting goals without ethical standards
Life is beyond acquiring accolades and fame. On several occasions we have read about a public figure who got indicted because of a shady character.
Many get desperate and thereby get their hands dirty, all in the name of wanting to reach their goals.
I wouldn't deny the fact that the world we live in is tough. There are endless circumstances and people that attempt to stiffen the process of reaching ones goals.
However this is no excuse for bridging universal principles of integrity, honesty, kindness, love, and service.
3. Setting goals without accountability partner(s)
No goal can be achieved in isolation. No vision can materialize in isolation.
Show me any person who have succeeded and has now become a global phenomenon, and I will show you an accountable person.
I was in a conversation with a friend and she said, "I am highly suspicious of people who just show up from no where and we have no record of who they were answerable to."
It makes sense to me. In reaching your goals in life, you need people that would hold you accountable. You need people that will look you in the face and inspire you when you are weak. You need people that will look you in the face and scold you when you are slacking.
It could be a coach, trainer, mentor, or friend.
The reason you have not been up to date on your goals may just be the absence of accountability partner(s).
4. Setting goals without respecting the process of time
Personal leadership is a journey, and so is success. Do not attempt to rush your way to success. You won't last long there.
Processes are meant to equip you for success. It helps make sure you can replicate your success at anytime.
Many people, especially young folks are in a hurry to be on the spot light. They forget that the only way they can stand the test of time is to be rooted and built upwards.
The height of a building is determined by the foundation. The height of a tree is determined by the depth of its roots. My question for you is this - what kind of structure are you building?
There is absolutely no way you expect to have a child without waiting for nine months after conception. Even if the child comes out prematurely, he/she has to be incubated.
In life, there are three category of people with dreams. Those who arrive Pre-maturely; Those who arrive maturely; and those who arrive Post-maturely. Where do you want to belong?
5. Setting goals based primarily on external motivations
One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is, "Why do I do what I do?"
In chapter 2 of my book, Lead Your Life, I shared my story of how I discovered at some point in my life, I was trying so hard to prove a point to myself and to my family. This was a great level of self awareness I entered into. It transformed the way I now see life, with respective to achievement.
I have seen people who have achieved a great deal of things, but still feel inferior. They are victims of self sabotage. They keep comparing themselves to others.
At least 95% of people have at one point or another encounter thoughts and feelings of inadequacy (evelynlim.com).
If you are setting goals just to compete with people in your circle, you will never be satisfied.
It's quite unfortunate that with the advent of social media, many are falling victim to this. There are a lot of make-believe - people posing to be what they are not. If you do not have a strong foundation of this principle, you will end up crashing.
Everyone has some degree of external motivation when setting goals. However, it's imperative that you have a strong inner conviction based on personal fulfilment.
6. Setting goals without focusing on priorities
I believe everyone knows one person who is a passionate goal-getter but most times expends energy on irrelevant things.
Stephen R. Covey, the foremost authority on the concept of personal leadership said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
It might look like a nice play of words but there are a great number of lessons to infer from that quote. It's like an affirmation to the ancient 80/20 rule.
Don't confuse activity with accomplishments. Don't be busy doing nothing. Learn to identify those 20% important things in your life and focus on them per time.
In the end, what we all truly want is to know that we truly lived out lives doing what we truly loved and found fulfilment in.
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Conclusion
I know you desire a better life, job, relationship, family, and business. We all do. We have learnt over time that we need to set goals but you and I know that's not enough. Flip through your journal and you will find some goals that have been sitting there for a long time.I crave your indulgence to use these six tips I shared to find where you belong. I would love you to tell me about it below. Which of them are you guilty about?
