Friday, June 13, 2008
Two types of Goals
I feel goal setting is an important part of life. This process can be approached scientifically. That is, select different areas in our life such as physical, mental, career, relationships etc. and systematically set goals for the desired improvement in each area. Then, of course, there is the time lines and the follow up. As and when the goals are reached we can adopt new goals.
Another way to set goals is to work on two types of goals. The Base Goals are the minimum standard acceptable in each area. These goals are sort of support levels below which we may not allow ourselves to sink. For e.g. a base level of physical fitness or financial position. As time passes these goals are constantly revised upwards.
The Aspiration Goals are those which are set in only one or two areas at a time. These goals are tough and are monitored and revised almost on a daily basis. Our whole focus is on these to ensure that we keep moving forward. These goals can have a long time perspective, but generally these goals are set for short periods of a few hours or a day or two. They are intensely monitored and revised in both directions as required. The monitoring system must have a built in time tracker which keeps the person moving in the forward direction over time. To illustrate, a person can have an aspiration goal of business improvement. Breaking down the tasks into one day chunks goals are set and monitored daily. It is okay to fall short of the goal and even occasionally to revise the goal downward. But overall it is ensured that the business is progressing at a satisfactory pace. The advantage here is one critical area is in total focus and huge improvement is possible in relatively short periods of time.Of course, it is okay to alter areas of focus once reasonable improvement is achieved in one area and systems have been put in place to prevent slippage. Maybe business is fine but now relationships require focus.
Another way to set goals is to work on two types of goals. The Base Goals are the minimum standard acceptable in each area. These goals are sort of support levels below which we may not allow ourselves to sink. For e.g. a base level of physical fitness or financial position. As time passes these goals are constantly revised upwards.
The Aspiration Goals are those which are set in only one or two areas at a time. These goals are tough and are monitored and revised almost on a daily basis. Our whole focus is on these to ensure that we keep moving forward. These goals can have a long time perspective, but generally these goals are set for short periods of a few hours or a day or two. They are intensely monitored and revised in both directions as required. The monitoring system must have a built in time tracker which keeps the person moving in the forward direction over time. To illustrate, a person can have an aspiration goal of business improvement. Breaking down the tasks into one day chunks goals are set and monitored daily. It is okay to fall short of the goal and even occasionally to revise the goal downward. But overall it is ensured that the business is progressing at a satisfactory pace. The advantage here is one critical area is in total focus and huge improvement is possible in relatively short periods of time.Of course, it is okay to alter areas of focus once reasonable improvement is achieved in one area and systems have been put in place to prevent slippage. Maybe business is fine but now relationships require focus.
Labels: Goals, Self Improvement
Friday, April 29, 2005
The relentless warrior
There is always a first time
Life is a continuous and joyous journey. The beauty lies in the relentless efforts. Success comes quickly sometimes. But often it takes its own time. So the one who remains in the race long enough alone stands a chance to win it. Sometimes you can kill your prey with one stroke. At other times you can only wound it and wait for it to bleed to death or to infect and fall ill and die. Most often you are forced to wait for your prey to die of old age. But the fun lies in not quitting - whatever the odds. Because your calculation of the odds are usually wrong - the error could be either way. You can only wait and see. Is it not better to ignore the odds, they are wrong anyway, and to focus on how you can win ?
