Want to test your goals? Write yourself a letter.

Welcome to 20-19

Want to test your goals? Write yourself a letter.

Ah, the smell of a new year. Goals prancing around offices and gyms alike. The scent of aspiration is palpable. I am sure you've read a nauseating amount of content on goal setting already and I am not going to spam you with goal setting techniques today (email me if you want that- [email protected] ). Instead, I am going to ask you to future test your goals in a simple, but painful way.

Write yourself a letter. Before I give you the technique and tips, the why is important. Far too many goals are written in disparity from what you actually need to accomplish to be happy AND even more goals are misaligned to the end result. By writing a letter to yourself for 2019 (and actually reading it at the end of the year), you do two amazing things. 1. You force yourself to put yourself in the future and test if the goals and what it nets you make you happy 2. You get amazed when you read the letter at the end of the year by how much you actually achieved because you're amazing and will do those things (I have every confidence in you).

Now, if you want to make it happen, try these things:

1. Be realistic – Bill gates famously said "Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years". With that in mind, don't set yourself up for disappointment by setting a one year goal that has a snowballs chance in he11 of happening (by all means, do so for your longer term goals).
2. Be detailed – you should describe in the letter what this new future feels like, what is has meant for you personally and professionally and how it has helped you build the life / career / whatever that you deeply aspire to.
3. Nail the alignment – when I've coached people on this, I tell them to do their goals first, then write the letter, then test the fit. It's amazing how often people write these goals that can't possibly get them to the place they want to be. Sometimes, it is because it's what their boss says they should do, other times it's because they think it's their only choice. If your goals and your future don't align, you've got some soul searching to do to save you future heartache.
4. Put yourself first – It's always dangerous for me, as an Owner and Managing Director to tell people in a newsletter to put themselves first (when it comes to goals, etc), but the truth is that's what we should be doing. Not in a selfish, terrible person way. I mean in that if you hate your job or it doesn't bring you fulfilment, then set objectives to get out. Be honest with those around you about your goals and if it aligns with your org, family, etc then great. If it doesn't then you need to own that and decide if that's who / where you want to be. No judgement either way.

I'd encourage you to share this with your team. Happy writing (don't skimp, 2-3 pages should do it).

Dear me, it is me from the future

Precommitments: not just consulting jargon

Ever heard of precommitments? No? As a leader and reader, it's great to know what they are and why they DO NOT guarantee a result (unless you nail it). 

You might notice that we, as humans, have two selfs. The current self and the ideal future self that we believe we will one day achieve. It could be a fitter you, a wealthier you or whatever you think you need to achieve. The needle will always keep moving, so it's important to recognise there will always be a better future self that we are pursuing (or pretending doesn't exist). I am sure, in spite of my poor joints, that I will one day be buff like The Rock. True story (nope).

The problem with the gap between the two is it creates a need to make progress towards the future self. To do this, we make precommitments so that the behaviour of current self can align (or be perceived to align) to a path leading us to biceps the size of watermelons. This can be done publicly through social accountability e.g. we tell people that I will achieve x goal by x date, which escalates our commitment. We might, at an even worse level, sign up to a year long gym membership for $900 believing that this expense will force us to fulfil the commitment. Riiiight.

Did you know the average U.S. gym in major cities has utilisation rates of about 5% of capacity? That means that gyms bank of people like me spending $900 in January and then never showing up from February onward. Why can they do that? Because they know that precommitments aren't worth the Facebook posts they are written on (good, aye?). 

Now that you know, what is the alternative? Well, precommitments are still great BUT you've got to ensure that your goals are aligned to a real need for change. We often set precommitments based on some future self we think we want but either can't be bothered working towards or don't truly believe. I know that as much as I would love to be the body double for The Rock in the Fast and the Furious 43, I care more about my career (which involves crazy long days), writing, my family and a few other things that push the swole goal right to the bottom of the list. If I deeply cared about it, I'd clear time, change my diet and set key weekly goals and metrics. 

Now that you know why precommitments do and don't work (key lesson being make sure you deeply believe in and are committed to the goal), you can use them in your favour and better understand when people around you are unlikely to achieve their own commitments (easily observed when you know the person).

Writing > gym?

Want to tackle your next change management / culture issue? Let's get started on dropping that body count. We'd be happy to do a discovery report with you where we can unpack the challenges and opportunities.

Time to make shift happen. Visit us on www.integral.org.au

-Travis