I’m pretty sure mud pies don’t need instructions.

Photo by Infrogmation

Seriously, as kids we didn’t have to ask someone how to make genuine dirt cakes. We just scooped up some soil, added water, sprinkled liberally with imagination, and as Emeril would say, “BAM!” So what does this have to do with goal setting? I’ll explain.

For the last 3 weeks I’ve focused on Goal Setting. I mean really focused on it. And I’ve learned a lot about the process (I’ll talk more about that in a future post). For now, let’s just say that focusing on goal setting has definitely helped me move some key areas of my life forward. So that’s good, but I couldn’t ignore a gnawing feeling in my gut that something remained unexamined in the process. There was something that I just wasn’t doing regularly to move my goals forward as swiftly as I knew I could.

Measurement and Accountability

Two concepts kept coming up and refused to be ignored – Measurement and Accountability. Both are decent five dollar words when tossed into a corporate memo but worth Olympic gold when part of the goal setting process.

While my goals had evolved from vague wishes to clearly defined targets, I wasn’t really measuring my progress methodically. Instead I would go through a mental checklist of the number of meals I ate for the day, my workout routine, my daily reading and writing goals, etc. and at the end of a week if you asked me how I scored I couldn’t really tell you. I could only manage to say “better” or “a bit off” which meant little more than nothing.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

How do you quantify “A bunch”? Imagine if football took that approach – the Cowboys scored “a bunch” beating the Redskins in the playoffs by a total of “a little.” Doesn’t really work does it? Sure a coach might tell a player after a game that he “ran like crap” but you can bet that come practice time the stop watch is out and the performance is tracked and measured. So what about the mud pie analogy? Bear with me a little longer.

So deep down I knew that I needed to get real and record this stuff but it just seemed like one more thing to do. Wasn’t I already trying to do more than I had the month before? Something else was happening. By keeping my results vague, I was subconsciously avoiding the risk of failure. I was also being lazy. But worse than risking failure is leaving the outcome to chance.

There’s a saying “What gets measured gets improved”. Not necessarily true. Measure a cup of dirt with water and you still don’t have a delicacy. What about all those clipboard carrying gym-rats? They measure. They weigh. But most avoid strategic change so they end up looking the same year after year.

Metrics give us awareness but we still must DO. Perhaps that’s the rub. Now we’re responsible for adjusting because tracking reveals the gap between current performance and what we’re trying to hit. Without a system to track actions and results, we simply cannot make the necessary corrections to progress systematically. It all becomes guesswork.

In a great article by Scott Young he puts it this way, “If you measure something, you gain conscious awareness of it. If you gain conscious awareness, you increase your ability to control it.” And we all like control don’t we? Sure, at first glance, but when we dig a little deeper we discover that control (or power) requires us to take responsibility. It means overcoming any laziness that hinders us from making it happen. So the recipe once the goal has been set becomes:

1. Take Action
2. Measure the Result
3. Make a Decision About the Result – Continue what we’re doing? Or Adjust our action?
4. (rinse & repeat)

KNOWING IS EASY. DOING TAKES GUTS.

Remember, knowledge is not power. It is the potential for power. It gives us the power to make the necessary corrections. Just knowing is not enough. Doing is what counts. If knowledge was the sole ingredient there would be very few out of shape people and a lot more world class athletes. Do. Measure. Adjust. Do differently or repeat what worked. Pretty simple stuff. Simple, but not easy.

QUALITY ISN’T MEASURED IN MINUTES.

Years ago I worked in a call center. Talk time (the duration of the call) was measured, tracked, and evaluated for each customer service representative. Unfortunately, it was emphasized as the most critical metric of each call. What wasn’t being measured was the number of customers that called more than once to resolve a single issue. So  it really didn’t matter that the average call duration was two minutes if customers had to make three calls to customer service.

It would be much better to average four minutes per call if it meant that the problem was solved the first time. That’s a much better measurement. So we have to be careful that we don’t get too bogged down in the numbers and miss our overall objective. All the measuring in the world won’t turn a mud pie into a chocolate cake. It requires changing the recipe.

Bottom line: measure the important actions, hold yourself accountable, stay with it, keep adjusting, and before you know it, “BAM! Goal accomplished!

Zig Ziglar is a master of story telling and motivation and an accomplished speaker and businessman. In this three-part video series he gives us the recipe for successful goal setting and achievement. In typical Ziglar fashion, he delivers his goal setting formula with humor, truth, and impact. I’ve summarized what I believe to be the most important take away points for each.

In this first video he talks about the why and how of goal-setting. Zig gives us his own goal setting formula and emphasizes why following a formula is the key to achieving goals.

GOALS are CHOICES

Point number 1- GOALS are CHOICES. Zig refers to himself as choosing to be overweight for twenty-four years. Every day we decide what we will do. As he puts it, “I have never accidentally eaten anything!” So to reach our potential requires that we make smart choices. Goal setting is the best way to decide our destiny.

Point number 2- GOALS are a MUST! You and I absolutely must have goals and then we must choose to act upon those goals each day.

“Give me a stock-clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who’ll make history. But give me a man without a goal and I’ll give you a stock-clerk.” ~ J.C. Penny

Point number 3- GOALS require a PLAN! So here’s how Ziglar outlines the steps recipe of successful goal setting.

ZIG ZIGLAR GOAL-SETTING FORMULA:

• You gotta write your goals down.
• Put a date on your goals.
• Identify the obstacles of your goals.
• Identify the people & groups you need to work with to reach your goals.
• Find out what it is you need to know.
• Develop a plan of action and write it down -”What’s in it for me?” What will accomplishing this goal really mean to you?
  

DON’T WAIT. DO IT NOW.

Ziglar shoots straight about procrastination and reminds us that we can’t wait for perfect timing. There’s no such thing. Opportunity won’t wait and goals don’t just happen. “The people who wait for changes to take place somewhere out there before they do the changing inside miss out.”
The simple rule? Do it NOW.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

DREAMS, DIRECTION, & DOING MATTERS

“You can’t make it as a one dream generality – you gotta become a meaningful specific. ~ Zig Ziglar”

DIRECTION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Ziglar talks about the lack of direction that usually gets in the way of achieving goals. Dreaming and setting dreams as long-range goals keep us busy and directed at the same time without the danger of “confusing activity as accomplishment.”

Here are some key points of this discussion:

1. Lack of time is simply an excuse. We all have 24 hours.
2. Problem is not lack of time but lack of direction.
3. Without direction, we cannot truly Focus.
4. Focus is what gives us the power to move forward and make a dent in the universe.
5. Focus on the goal and the most important next task.

ACTION IS AN ELIXIR

• Logic will not change an emotion, but action will.
• Benefits of goals – hard to be depressed when you’re chasing your dreams.
• Setting goals and taking action creates excitement

You need your dreams! You will never make it as a wandering generality. You must become a meaningful specific.

CHOOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT OVER ACTIVITY & SIGNIFICANCE OVER JUST SOMETHING

Don’t be a processionary caterpillar blindly confusing activity with accomplishment. What you and I do matters and we only have a short time to choose wisely.
So whatever you do, MAKE IT REMARKABLE.

image credit: Matt Reinbold

It’s tempting for people to obsess over tools instead of what they’re going to do with those tools. Many amateur golfers think they need expensive clubs. But it’s the swing that matters, not the club. Give Tiger Woods a set of cheap clubs and he’ll still destroy you. People use equipment as a crutch. They don’t want to put in the hours on the driving range so they spend a ton in the pro shop. They’re looking for a shortcut. But you just don’t need the best gear in the world to be good. And you definitely don’t need it to get started.   Gear Doesn’t Matter ~ Rework

No matter what tools we have at our disposal they won’t help us accomplish a single thing unless we’re willing to work. Sure, the right tools can make the job easier but that assumes elbow-grease as a major ingredient. I haven’t found a tool yet that will get my butt out of bed in the morning and into the gym at a time when joe-public is deep into REM mode. Even the alarm clock depends upon me to set it the night before and once it goes off I still have to do the heavy lifting to get myself perpendicular.

A determined soul will do more with a rusty monkey wrench than a loafer will accomplish with all the tools in a machine shop. ~ Robert Hughes

So let’s be clear, these resources are for one purpose- to help you and I do the work.

Goal Setting Tools to Help with Tasks & To-Do Lists:

Here are 2 of the simplest to use tools for task lists. They’re both easy to use and can be accessed from any Internet connection via web browser or a mobile device. I’ve used both services and have to say they’re both great apps.

• BackPack
  In typical 37signals fashion, you get a simple tool with almost no learning curve to help you get started creating lists that you can quickly check off as you complete them. You can also setup automated reminders to be sent to your mobile phone or email address and sync with your calendar if you’d like. They offer a scaled down version that’s free (no calendaring), or a very affordable premium version that has a few more features. http://backpackit.com
• Remember the Milk
  In their own words – “Never forget the milk (or anything else) again.” A slick tool that can provide reminders to you however you want them (phone, chat, email, etc.) with cool map integration if you need it, which could be helpful if you wanted to batch your tasks by locations. http://www.rememberthemilk.com

Goal Setting Tools to Help You Focus Better:

• JOTT
  Focusing requires setting aside distractions. Has this ever happened to you- you’re trying to focus on something like writing an article and all of a sudden “BAM!” a great (and unrelated) idea refuses to remain silent? Or you’re driving to work when all of a sudden you remember that you need to make an appointment but of course it’s too early or the person isn’t available at this time, so you need a reminder to do it later. What do you do? My absolute favorite tool for helping me situations like this is JOTT because I can simply hit a speed dial number on my phone, create an email, add an action item to a list, or set a reminder or appointment by voice. It’s quick, simple, and only requires one hand. http://jott.com
• Pomodoro Timer
  I use this on my MAC to block off a chunk of time to write or program. It’s a lot like setting an oven timer, except it can log your time blocks for you. By default the time is set to 25 minutes but I’ve found that 45 minutes is ideal for most of my activities, especially those that require a bit more time to get into the flow. Writing and programming can often take 10-20 minutes for me to really get into the groove so I’ve found this to work best for me.
  MAC Version: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/development_tools/pomodoro.html
  PC and MAC: http://www.focusboosterapp.com
• Noise canceling headphones
  block out the distractions with a pair of noise canceling headphones. Music can help or hinder. It really depends on the task. Either way though, the noise canceling aspect of the headphones can work wonders when you need to turn down the distractions.
• Pull the Plug
  Although not a tool, here’s great tip from “the Power of Less” – simply, pull the plug. Go offline and work.

Tools to Help You Record Your Goals & Get Support from Others:

Accountability can make a big difference. Knowing that your goals are public and that other people are aware of what you’ve committed to doing will often make it much easier to stay the course. So here are a couple of free tools to do just that.

• 43things
  43things provides a place to record your goals and connect with others that are trying to achieve the same thing or something very similar. You can also invite other people to join you on a goal. I have yet to use the free service but it sounds like a great way to write out your goals and get support. http://www.43things.com
• Joe’s Goals
  Joe’s Goal’s is simple and popular web-based tool for tracking habitual routine tasks like how many times you’ve worked out for the week, worked on your novel or practiced your golf swing. If it’s a task that you need to do repetitively to reach your goal, here’s a simple way to record and score your actions. http://www.joesgoals.com

Goal Setting Tools for Strategy & Motivation:

Sometimes we need a little motivation. Like a good cup o’ joe in the morning an inspiring video or book can often provide the equivalent of an espresso shot.
Just be careful that you don’t get sucked down the rabbit trail of endless watching and reading without doing. Remember the purpose is to get you moving!

BOOK RESOURCES:

• Getting Things Done
  David Allen has truly made productivity an art. He does a great job of laying out a practical system for outlining projects, setting goals, and determining next actions. http://tinyurl.com/ygkvub6
• The Power of Less
  A great book for simplifying, streamlining, and focusing on what matters. Easy to read and full of great tips for focusing on your goals and inching towards them, one success step at a time. I highly recommend it.  http://thepowerofless.com

• Unleash the Warrior Within: Develop the Focus, Discipline, Confidence, and Courage You Need to Achieve Unlimited Goals
  Richard “Mack” Machowicz, former Navy SEAL and founder of the Bukido Training System, a self-protection program, pulls no punches and tells it like it is when it comes to facing your fears and knocking down your targets. This book is both motivational and strategic. http://www.bukido.com/thebook.html

READ
Goal Setting part 1: I Confess, My Goals Suck!
Goal Setting part 2: Rock n Roll Goal Setting Lessons

AC/DC - image credit: Imhavingfun42

It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock n roll. ~ AC/DC

You wanna argue with the likes of Angus Young? Forget the “overnight success” that happens to the other guy. It didn’t happen for Angus or the Beatles and it’s not likely to happen that quickly for you or me either. It takes time. A lot of time. In fact, Malcolm Gladwell tells us in his book Outliers that it takes about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to reach mastery. That’s a lot of rehearsals, lonely road trips, and performances when no one notices. To push through those groupie-less hours when no one cares, you gotta have passion. And you’d better love what you’re doing because you’ll be doing it a lot. By the time the Beatles came to America at the start of the British Invasion, they had performed together live over 1,200 times. So yeah, they had patience. But what can we do when when we’re running low on that virture? One option is to pray, “Lord give me patience, and give it to me now.” The other obvious choice is to put in the time doing the gigs.

Of course I’m ambitious.  What’s wrong with that?  Otherwise you sleep all day.  ~ Ringo Starr

Goal setting means working hard to produce something. After all, “success”, as Brian Tracy puts it, “is goals. All else is commentary.” So if you’re not making music and entertaining then you’re NOT a rock star. But whatever your goal, due diligence is required. So set goals, take action, and deliver something amazing.

Own your own tone and you will become contagious. ~ Bono of U2

In response to a Rolling Stones review, Bono commended the willingness of U2 guitarist, “The Edge,” to follow the jazzmen’s maxim to “own your own tone and you will become contagious.”
Important advice when it comes to being authentic, following your gut, and setting goals centered around what motivates and matters most to you. You gotta really own your goals to make them come alive, but that requires a certain hard to define but easy to spot companion of success- that ingredient we call passion. Hey it’s only your destiny so you better deliver it with passion. Coverband enthusiasm just won’t cut it.

Neil Peart from Rush

Map out your future, but do it in pencil.  ~ Jon Bon Jovi

Let’s face it, things happen that cause us to occasionally miss a beat. There are going to be times when something else must trump an immediate goal. I think it was John Lennon who said, “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Regardless of expectations, goal setting and accomplishment are rarely linear paths. We usually zig-zag toward our dreams- failing some, succeeding some. If you’re keeping count, you’ll fail more than you’ll succeed and you’ll make more noise than platinum records. At least at first.

“You’ll go up and then come down a little. Two steps forward and one step back. There’s a good rhythm in that. It is like a dance. There’s no rhythm in a straight line upward. However, people get discouraged when they slide a step back after two steps forward. They think they are failing, and that they’ve lost it. But they have not. They’re simply in step with the natural rhythm of progress. Once you understand this rhythm, you can work with it instead of against it.” Steve Chandler ~ 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself

Grant yourself an extra dose of grace and flexibility with your goals. Handle it like a jam session. Although you need structure when starting, don’t get bent out of shape when a few rules are broken or the pace slows. The fluidity can be freeing. It’s where you’ll often find the magic of flow and reach new heights. So remain aware of the rhythm and embrace the learning, adjusting, and unlearning which is all part of the process. Most of all, have fun and embrace it. Noise and all. The music will happen.

Practical Rock n Roll Goal Setting Tips:

• Practice, Performance & Patience – Take action over and over. Make continual improvements. Give yourself plenty of time to grow.
• Put Your Heart Into It – There’s no substitute for passion so do it with gusto!
• Eliminate Distractions – Remove  the distractions and non-essentials.  Get alone in the studio sound-proof booth, focus and get to work.
• Focus – Focus on the immediate task. Be careful about trying to accomplish too much at once. Before you can produce a CD you have to write your 1st song.
• Develop a Discerning Ear - Learn to recognize when you’re “off-key” and need to adjust your plan. Take the emotion out of the evaluation.
• Listen to Other Artists - Find role models to learn from. Be inspired and moved by them. What essential lessons can be learned?
• Get the Right Gear - Gather a toolbox of resources to help you make it happen (books, videos, pen and paper, recorder).
• Jam – Embrace the rhythm and have fun with the process!
• Unplug – Sometimes the most inspirational thing you can do is take a nap, so pull the cord, turn off the amp and recharge your batteries.

READ
Goal Setting part 1: I Confess, My Goals Suck!
Goal Setting part 3: Got Tools For Your Goals?

A CONFESSION- “My Goals Suck”

I confess, until recently my goals sucked. Sure at first glance they looked, felt, and even smelled like the real thing. It wasn’t until I actually decided to focus on goal setting itself that I realized just how far off the mark I had been. I’ll explain.

Last week I set a goal. The goal being to dig deeper into what it takes to think and perform like a champion – what winners do and how they think. You know, the things you and I do, right? Hold it.  Group-confession time… what we sometimes do. Anyway, I vowed to do this by taking a single trait of champions and devoting an entire month of study, action, and reflection towards learning and doing all I could to improve it within myself. Then I’d share my discoveries each week in a series of articles. So it only seemed logical to start with goal setting since I had just set a goal.

Champions have it down and everywhere we go we hear over and over again the virtues of goal-setting, writing them down, breaking them into actionable chunks, and then knocking down the targets to those goals. Simple stuff. Or so it seems. Why then do we still fail to achieve many of our dreams? If you’re anything like me, there’s room for improvement. Here’s what I’m discovering about goal setting and achievement:

FUZZY, UNSHAVEN GOALS NEED A RAZOR

I’ve noticed a tendency to have vague, fuzzy goals. The kind that look like they just woke up and haven’t shaved in weeks.

Goals need hard, clean lines to them. Otherwise they’re as functional as an unemployed guy holding out for a management job for 10 years. They just don’t work!

They need to be recognizable not hidden behind the stubble of vagueness. If a goal can be misinterpreted, it’s a sure sign it’s too vague. So shave that fuzzy goal. Redefine it for clarity and to ensure it can be measured.

Repeat after me, “FUZZY GOALS Suck.”

Keep rewriting and adjusting them until there can be no chance of misinterpretation. Leave no wiggle room for compromise. By the way, whatever happened to Hai Karate aftershave?
Ah, but I digress. Let’s get back on track by restating  what should now be obvious:

FUZZY GOALS Suck. I’ve said it before.
SHAVED GOALS  kick butt like Chuck Norris clean shaven and wearing Hai Karate!

I’ve listed a couple of goals that I had as of last week that sucked and the new and improved version for each.

More Goal Setting Articles:
Goal Setting part 2: Rock n Roll Goal Setting Lessons
Goal Setting part 3: Got Tools For Your Goals?
Goal Setting part 4: Zig Ziglar Goal Setting Formula