Goal Setting Theory – Don’t Ask How!
Goal Setting Theory – Don’t Ask How!
Copyright (c) 2009 Michael A Jones
Is a goal setting theory that is easy to comprehend and employ and which produces spectacular results just an elusive dream? Thankfully no. Although we may be forgiven for thinking so in view of the wealth of information available on goal setting, some of which makes it appear unnecessarily complicated. Perhaps that explains why many who set goals also fail to get results as they drop by the wayside.
Here are two goal setting theory approaches. You can pick the best out of each or use the approach that suits your personality and style. They can be summarized as follows:
Goal Setting Theory 1: You don’t need to know how you are going to reach your goal, just set the goal and keep it in front of you.
Goal Setting Theory 2: To achieve your goal you need a specific detailed definition of what you want to achieve and a step by step plan on how to get there.
Let’s explore these two aspects of goal setting theory.
Jack Black, a popular motivational speaker in the UK, used a catch phrase “Don’t ask how!”. His view was, by asking “how”, you kill the goal right there. Perhaps the goal seems totally unrealistic given a person’s circumstances in life. If a person born in poverty with no connections in life dreamed of being a famous actor, those around them might naturally ask “How?”.
Yet there are many life stories of individuals born in very difficult circumstances, with it seems, everything set against them in life, who hold on to a dream, and eventually get there! They don’t ask “How?” because, if they did, the desire and the goal would die. They just keep it in the front of their mind day in day out, year in year out, and they get there.
RAS (Reticular Activating System) has a role in this. Here is a definition of RAS: “the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function”. It describes a particular way the brain works. Have you ever had the experience of wanting a particular automobile? You have in mind an exact model, color, specific extras etc. that you would like. You can just see yourself driving it. Then, within a short time, you start seeing this exact vehicle all over the place. Why? Because your brain is filtering information and as you have alerted it to a specific object, you now begin to notice it whereas before it was there but you didn’t pay any attention to it.
This really is the secret behind goal setting theory that says, “Don’t ask how”. By keeping the goal in the front of the mind, reminding oneself of it daily, constantly thinking about it, dreaming about it, you are training your brain to identify opportunities and the means or tools needed to get to that goal. They were there all the time, but the brain now filters information in such a way that they now leap out at you.
Goal setting theory number 2 some would say is much more realistic. You set an attainable goal. You craft a carefully worded ‘mission statement’ of what you want to accomplish. You research, find out the resources you will need. You identify pitfalls and things to avoid. You make a plan. You then take action on the plan. You break the goal setting exercise into bite size pieces. You set time limits on each section, etc. etc.
Perhaps some are put off with this approach. After all, it does sound like hard work. You might well be exhausted before you even start! However, many high performers in business, in sports, and other areas of life, have used this kind of formula and achieved outstanding results.
Aristotle is quoted as saying: “Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals.”
So the choice is up to you. Perhaps you can combine the main concept of approach number 1 and allow your brain to filter the information you need naturally, with a basic framework suggested in approach number 2.
Maybe goal setting theory number one appeals to your temperament while goal setting theory number two doesn’t have any appeal at all. Or it could be the other way round. Whatever your viewpoint, do set goals! There is no doubt they are an essential ingredient in high achievement and satisfaction in life!
Michael has written what he calls the goal setting blueprint, an easy-read 7 step tutorial freely available here:
http://www.about-goal-setting.com/goal-setting-tutorial.html
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment