The Problem With Goal Setting

Growing up in Fargo, ND, performing on Broadway seemed like an impossible dream.  There were no fancy schools for musical theater in Fargo and there weren't many big shows that came through town.  But for Jessica Pariseau, making it to Broadway was her life's goal.

Flash forward a dozen or so years and a couple of cruise ship revues later, Jessica made it to Broadway.  Her big break came when she got a part in the national tour for Cabaret. After that she landed a part in one of the most celebrated shows in Broadway history - in the Broadway production of Mel Brooks's The Producers. It was miraculous.  She proved that with enough tenacity and a goal-oriented mindset, you could achieve anything. 

But then what?

Jessica spent her whole life focused on her goal that she neglected to think about what she would do if she achieved it.  For 20-something years she was so driven and so focused on that one thing, that after she achieved her goal, she didn't know what to do next.  Though performing was still fun, though she still enjoyed the singing and dancing, that steely-eyed focus and direction wasn't the same. 

This is a common feeling for many young performers who set their sites on making it to Broadway and make it.  They focus all their passion and energy on that one point that when they get there, they don't know what to do next.  Many simply go on to perform in show after show, but the passion is at a decidedly different level.  A few find new careers and go on to do other things.  But one thing becomes very clear - passion is not about the destination, it's about the journey. 

There are countless examples of this in the business world also.  AOL had a goal - to make the internet as commonplace as the television or the telephone.  Their goal helped focus everyone who worked at the company. AOL achieved their goal and upon doing so lost their focus. They are not the passionate company they used to be.  Sony set out to become a household name and make the words "made in Japan" synonymous with good quality.  Goal achieved.  These days, however, Sony is not the powerhouse of focus and innovation it used to be. To maintain your passion, you have to stay on an inspiring journey, not just pursue a single goal. Goals do not define the journey, they define points along the journey. They are important markers to gauge progress along the journey. But they are not, as most believe, the thing that inspires. 

Set goals, but also be clear why you want to achieve that goal in the first place.  If you know why, you'll be able to articulate another lofty goal as inspiring as the first.  Without knowing why, the subsequent goals will just be random numbers or achievements to reach.  They won't drive passion, they won't inspire and they won't focus all resources towards that goal.

If you've already achieved one goal and don't feel as inspired by your new goal, even though you're taking all the same steps, it's not because the goal is unclear, it's because you don't know the journey you're on. It's the journey that inspires, the goals work to remind us we're on the right track.

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Comments

[Constant Focus]

Thank you for posting this information, it will help a lot of people.Can you tell me of other source of this information?

[JC Duarte]

Thanks for the reminder Simon! I especially appreciate your article's focus on the "inspiring journey" & that "goals don't define the journey, they define points along the journey, markers to gauge progress".

I find it's so important before you set off on a journey to as yourself "what does success look like". What will it feel, taste & smell like once you've reached the end of this particular journey? Who & what will be surrounding you, as well as what will be your next ensuing journey? As we all know (should know), our life's journeys are an ever perpetuating seeking of self actualization/realization, which in itself is a constant & moving target. :-)

[Laura Lee Bloor]

Great points, Simon. I would also add that if you don't ask why when you set your goals, you may inadvertently add goals to your list that you have no intention of ever achieving. These are the ones that if you examine them, tend to come from outside sources (family, friends, society) rather from your own genuine desire.