The Multitasking Trap (Part III): Finding the Right Goal Setting System for You

Part I focused on How Overloading Ourselves Fuels Imposter Syndrome.

Part II focused on how goal setting, when done well, can help counteract the multitasking that leads to imposter syndrome.

Today, in Part III I provide a few strategies and options for setting goals as the sun sets on 2024. There are a lot of goal setting "systems" out there. I will share a few of my favorites.

Part IV will come full circle to examine the how and why of habit formation as a way to close the loop on managing our time, attention and goals.

One powerful antidote to imposter syndrome is the practice of setting clear, achievable goals. By establishing goals, individuals can create a structured path to success, fostering a sense of accomplishment and reinforcing their self-worth. There are 2 months left in 2024. Let's start thinking about our goals for 2025!

Setting goals helps to ground personal and professional aspirations, providing a roadmap that can counteract feelings of fraudulence. When you articulate your objectives, you shift the focus from self-doubt to actionable steps, making your achievements tangible and measurable. This clarity boosts confidence and enables individuals to celebrate small wins along the way, gradually reshaping their narrative from one of self-doubt to one of empowerment.

We will explore frameworks that may allow you to cultivate a mindset of growth and resilience, ultimately transforming how you perceive your own abilities and achievements. Today's issue of Unleash Your Audacity explores:

• How to set goals
• Effective Goal Setting Systems

Written Goals Matter. Research has shown that you are?42% more likely?to achieve your goals if they are written down.

How to Set Goals

The most important aspect of setting a goal is often overlooked. It's what I call the pre-work. It is not the dollar amount you are trying to save or the number of pounds you want to lose. It is about the why behind your goals. Begin with the End in Mind is about having a clear mission. It is habit 2 of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . Once you have a clear mission you can use any of the 3 methods below to achieve your end in mind.

SMART Goals

Setting a goal is easy. Accomplishing a goal is hard. The best way to think through goal setting is through the popular SMART goal approach. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. I won't go into details about SMART goals because a Google search will yield a variety of entries.

GROW Goals

There is also the GROW goal approach. GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Obstacles, Way Forward. Think of this model like planning a trip. First, you figure out where you’re headed—that’s your goal. Then, you get real about where you are right now—your current reality. Next, you map out the different routes you could take to reach that destination—these are your options and obstacles. Finally, it’s all about your commitment. You lock in your “why,” make sure you’re ready to face whatever challenges pop up, and commit to seeing the journey through to the end, no matter the challenges.

4DX

Another method of setting goals is the 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. They include:

1. Focus on the Wildly Important
2. Act on Lead Measures
3. Keep a Compelling Scoreboard
4. Create a Cadence of Accountability

This is primarily used in corporate spaces, but I found that the 4 disciplines can be adapted for personal goals quite nicely.

Effective Goal Setting Systems

OK audacious friends. You have set a mission. You have developed goals using any of the 3 systems above or a combination of any of them or you have your own best practices. Now to the next challenge. How do you keep track of all of this? You need a system.

Before I share some the systems I have come across, I have a disclaimer. I don't get anything from any of the companies who own these systems. They don't know me. I don't know them. If post-its on a mirror, a plain old journal or the notes app on your Iphone are more your speed, go for it. Use whatever works for you. What's important is setting goals and then achieving them.

Daily Greatness - This system is not a planner in the traditional sense. I own the Daily Greatness Business Planner and it's on the busy side from an aesthetic point of view. But I really like that it has weekly planning space, prompts that let you reflect on how the week went, space for budgeting, and much more.

Designing Your Life - The Designing Your Life Workbook is a really good way to start figuring out your end in mind. It's not a goal setting system per se. It's more of a space to help you figure it out. There are prompts, mind mapping tools and other exercises to help you reflect on your biggest goals and dreams.

Full-Focus Planner - The full focus system is quarterly rather than yearly. You start by detailing your goals, outlining daily and evening rituals, and finally listing what they refer to as the daily big 3, forcing you to narrow your goals down to 3 per day. If you have a mission, then those daily big 3 goals should be helping you achieve that end in mind. It takes more investment to use this system but I can see why it works. The company also has a useful podcast called Focus on This .

Passion Planner - The Passion Planner is a lot like the Designing Your Life Workbook. It provides space for a passion map, monthly and weekly layouts and reflection pages with prompts. They also have digital options for those of us who want to go paperless.

Self Journal - The Self Journal is similar to Full Focus but a lot more basic in my opinion. Depending on your needs, that may be what you want and need. It helps you focus on daily goals and targets. Each daily page asks "What will make today great?"

Success Journal - Not much different from the others, this planner is not part of a larger coaching company or goal setting system. It's a stand alone, reasonably priced journal that has pages for daily tasks and goals. It also let's you track your successes.

Overall, any of these journals can work. My one criticism of most of them is that the text is small. Perhaps this is a me problem, since my eyes are not so great. For me, this has been a primary set back for using any of them. The Self Journal and the Success Journal text are not as bad. The passion planner text is minuscule and I will likely never use it. My favorites are the Daily Greatness and Full Focus systems. The latter, however, is an investment.

Setting goals is not just a strategic move for career advancement; it is a vital practice for mental well-being, particularly for those grappling with imposter syndrome. By employing a structured goal-setting system, you can redefine your self-image, celebrate your progress, and build confidence in your abilities. Each goal achieved, no matter how minor it may seem, contributes to a larger narrative of success. Embrace your journey, trust in your capabilities, and let your goals guide you toward a more empowered and fulfilling life.

80% of your results come from 20% of your actions.