Can goal setting be reduced to a formula? Of course, there are self-help books out there with their 5 steps, 12 steps and so on, approaches to setting goals and "achieving whatever you desire"! They are not the topic of this article. Instead, I want to introduce you to the wisdom of George Leonard as expressed in his book, "Mastery - the Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfillment."
"War on Mastery"
Although Mr Leonard is writing with American society in mind, I believe there are lessons here for goal setters in most of the industrialized countries. Lesson #1 is what the author refers to as "America's War on Mastery". This is the learned behavior of a populace "addicted" to a relentless, compulsive urge for an almost endless series of climactic experiences and thrills.
The "anti-mastery" drugs are administered primarily through the mass media of entertainment and popular culture - sports, movies and soap operas. Faced with such a dazzling array of apparently effortless perfection, "quick-fix" solutions and "world class" talents in almost every conceivable arena of human achievement, it is enough to make a mere mortal onlooker despair of getting started with whatever talents he/she possesses.
Now from a coaching perspective, I could argue that these displays of perfection are wonderful role models for others to aspire to. And in some ways they are. However, Mr Leonard is lamenting the fact that society seems to ignore the fact that real excellence in any endeavor comes only after long years of practice, frustration and persistence. Interspersed with sporadic improvements - and sometimes regressions too! He calls this "loving the plateau" and draws on his love and experience with the martial art of aikido as an example.
So what are the goal setting lessons? I think there are two big ones:
Lesson 1:
Set medium and long term goals with the plateau in mind!
Sure, it is possible (and often desirable) to set and achieve short-term goals. There is satisfaction and pride to be experienced in doing that. However, "real life" teaches us that going for a big goal (e.g. starting a home business) is not a meteoric rise from point A to point B. There may be long periods where you may appear to be going nowhere, or even backwards, and where you must "practice" all of your learned abilities on a daily basis just to keep going.
And then one unexpected day there is a breakthrough, an unexpected order, or a surprise introduction to a new customer, which can "change-the-game" and lift your home business onto the next plateau.
Those who are expecting the "quick fix" road to riches will likely taste bitter disappointment. And those who see "achieving the goal" as the point of it all will probably miss out on the 80% that truly mattered along the way. A hollow victory indeed!
Lesson 2:
Love To Practice!
This is sometimes expressed as "Find Your Passion". But I think it goes more than that because some, who find their passion intellectually, hesitate to commit to the daily, sometimes monotonous practice that fulfilling that passion will require.
I guess that's why entrepreneurs hire others to do some of that drudgework! And maybe you should plan for a similar division of roles.
But at the core of it all will be a goal of simply "doing what you love to do". Find that and time on the plateau is to be treasured indeed.
Discover How To Create Incredible Yet Reachable Goals - in this FREE 14-page report: Goal Setting Report
Mark McClure is a leading Asia-Pacific 'change-the-game' career coach and Internet Business Owner.
Dharma
No comments:
Post a Comment