Life can change very quickly.
What we think we may want one day turns out to be something else another day.
Many may argue that this flakiness, constantly changing our minds, is not committing to what we actually want.
And in the short term, over the course of a week, a month, or even a few months, that’s probably the case.
Constantly changing our minds and the direction of what we want prevents us from making any tangible progress, and we will be stagnant at the very least.
On the other hand, it does point to the fact that we are always evolving; we’re always changing and hopefully growing. We’re not the same person we were a few years ago, let alone this time last year.
Therefore, isn’t it fair to say that the things we want also change and evolve?
Think back to you a year ago. Can you truly, honestly, really say that the things you wanted 12 months ago are the same things you want today?
Sure, there might be some overlap. Some of the same things. There will also be many different things. And that’s okay. That doesn’t make you flaky. You’re allowed to change your mind.
I know, at least for myself, I’m a different person from what I was this time last year, let alone any period of time beyond that, which points to a serious question, at least in my mind, one that I’ve been thinking about a lot more recently.
What Is the Point of Goals?
What is the point of goals?
Through many walks of life, especially when we are on a path of conscious personal growth, we’re encouraged, celebrated even, for setting goals.
It signals ambition, agency, and a good test of one’s character that you actually want to do something, make something of yourself and with your life.
We’re encouraged to set a vision, break it down into five-year, three-year, and one-year goals, quarterly targets, monthly milestones, and weekly and daily actions, or something like that.
Voilà!
There you have it!
A well-thought-out blueprint for your entire life.
Now, all it’s about is getting to work and making it happen, the whole thing right there.
You and I both know that life isn’t that linear and doesn’t work in this way.
Let alone the fact that I don’t know about you, but this feels like a very rigid approach to experiencing this amazing thing called life.
Goals, Systems and Vision: How They Work Together
Now, I’m not saying that goals don’t have a place or that having a life vision is meaningless.
On the contrary, let me explain:
Goals are great for setting direction. And a vision keeps us moving forward, enthusiastic, and upbeat, especially on the days when we want to do or be anything else.
And let’s not forget about systems, the foundation of all of this. Systems are the routines and habits that keep us consistent beyond motivation and shape our identity.
When all three are combined, we create a compelling framework to design, create, and live our best lives possible.
The challenge is when we become too rigid, too stuck within our own goals and systems, even if they don’t work for us anymore, or we’ve realised more of what we actually truly want, not what we think we want.
This usually happens through the natural unfolding of becoming more of who we truly are and of life itself, when we allow it.
Yet, so often, we don’t.
We fight life, fight reality, craving constant control at every turn, which just holds us back more than anything. We fail to recognise that we’re fighting a phenomenon that we cannot win.
Remember: Reality doesn’t need you to operate it. Let go, or be dragged.
We can all learn to let go just that little bit more and embrace the natural unfolding of life itself.
We don’t need to hold onto life so tightly.
That doesn’t mean not to have goals or a life vision.
Both are actually part of the life-unfolding process.
You may argue that you need a rigid system, maybe one similar to what I described earlier, and if that’s the case, do what works for you.
Why a Shorter Time Horizon Works Better
My experience shows me that when it comes to goal setting, a shorter time horizon could well be a better approach.
Better in the sense of actually reaching the things that we want to reach, achieving the things that we want to achieve, and doing the things we want to do.
For example,
Switching from yearly to quarterly goals, with monthly milestones, all pointing towards the end goal for that period, enables us to lock in and go fully in with more focus, dedication, and, I believe, an increased possibility of actually reaching our goals.
My Approach: Quarterly Goals and a Life Vision Document
This is the approach I’ve switched to. As well as having a yearly life design vision synopsis, a summary of how I envision the year progressing, and an overall life vision document, which is similar in its design.
We forget or even fail to recognise that as a species we have a hard time with timescales, struggling to determine what we actually want in specific detail over the long term and how long it will take to achieve it.
I know, at least for me, that when we’re talking three, five years, beyond that, or even overall, what I want my entire life to represent, I have a feeling, a sense of what that is, but nailing that down to specific goals is a challenge that I’ve had for many years.
This is where life vision documents are helpful: a rough sense, often feeling-based, of what we want, what we want life to represent, without getting bogged down in the weeds of numbers, metrics, and specifics that will change as we evolve, as we change and evolve.
Even yearly goal setting over the last few years hasn’t been easy, but a quarterly approach is simple and enables greater lock-in, focus, and dedication, where the end goal isn’t too far in the distance that we can’t see it yet, but still far away enough that it’s a challenge to reach and will propel our personal growth, another important aspect of goals.
I’ve found that when we can’t see our goals, many have a hard time believing in them, that they’re even possible, resulting in no action towards achieving them. It goes without saying that this isn’t what we want.
This is the challenge with the traditional approach. And, for those who have tried it, especially for many years, it just doesn’t work. Not for the effort of trying. It’s too complex.
Choosing Simplicity Over Complexity
The older I get, the more I realise that simplicity over complexity, as well as less is often more, are two of the best approaches to navigating this thing called life with more clarity, ease, focus, flow, and less unnecessary stress, resistance, and unease that life will bring us anyway. We don’t need to bring extra upon ourselves.
I’m at the stage, and maybe you are too, where simplicity is the goal. I’m on the path of simplifying all that I can, too, including how I set and approach goal setting.
While goals set direction, systems are for consistency, and a life vision keeps us moving forward, as the famous saying goes, without one, the people perish, it can all be within a less rigid framework.
One where we set our goals on a shorter time horizon to help us actually reach and achieve them and do the things we want to do, creating our life by design.
That’s my take, anyway. It may or may not work for you. Take what resonates, leave the rest.
Key Takeaways on Rethinking Goal Setting
- The Problem with Rigid Goals: Life isn’t linear, and you are constantly evolving. Sticking to rigid, long-term goals can feel restrictive and often fails to adapt to the person you are becoming.
- The value Trio: For a balanced approach, combine goals, systems, and a vision. Goals provide direction, systems (your habits) create consistency, and a vision keeps you motivated for the long haul.
- Shorter is Better: Switching from yearly to quarterly goals can dramatically improve your focus and dedication. A shorter time horizon makes your objectives feel more immediate and achievable, increasing your chances of success.
- Use a Life Vision Document: For long-term direction, use a life vision document. This focuses on the feeling and general sense of what you want from life, rather than getting bogged down in specific metrics that will likely change.
- Embrace Simplicity: A simpler, less complex approach to planning your life reduces stress and resistance. Choosing a flexible framework allows you to adapt and grow without feeling constrained by outdated plans.
FAQs for The Point of Goals: Rethinking How We Set Them
Why do long-term, rigid goals often fail?
Rigid, long-term goals often fail because life is unpredictable and you are always changing. The person you are in five years will likely want different things than you do today. A rigid plan doesn’t allow for this natural growth and can hold you back.
What is the difference between goals, systems, and a vision?
Goals set your direction and tell you where you’re going. Systems are the daily habits and routines that create consistency and help you make progress. A vision is the overarching feeling or idea of your ideal life that keeps you motivated, especially when things get tough.
Why should I consider quarterly goals instead of yearly ones?
Quarterly goals create a shorter, more focused timeframe. This makes the end goal feel more attainable, which can boost your dedication and increase the probability of you actually achieving it. It prevents the goal from feeling too distant or abstract.
What if my goals change over time?
It is perfectly normal and healthy for your goals to change. It’s a sign that you are growing and evolving as a person. The key is to have a system that allows for this flexibility, rather than fighting against your own personal development.
How can a ‘life vision document’ help me?
A life vision document helps you capture the feeling and essence of the life you want to create without getting stuck on specific details or numbers. It acts as a compass for your long-term process, providing direction while allowing your short-term goals to adapt as you change.
