If you have 1 minute 40 seconds to spare…
Simple, concise and to the point. Whether you agree with all he teaches (or preaches), Brian Tracy is a great communicator. And on this occasion, if you want to use goal setting this is a great technique to get you under way.
Its just over a year since I last wrote specifically about goal setting, as September 23rd marks the 100 day count down till 2011.
Finish the Year with a Bang?
In my post in 2009 I linked in with a promotion for Gary Ryan Blair’s “100 Day Challenge“. As I say in that post, there is some useful free material made available – in the hope you sign up for his “challenge“. I wimped out last year, I can’t see myself as an “UNSTOPPABLE POWERHOUSE” – can you?!!
One recurring theme of Gary’s is this accountability – the assumption being that having someone else hold you accountable is an additional driving force to achieving goals. At the end of that post I discuss how the success of organisations like Weight Watchers is their “group accountability”.
However…
Should You Keep Your Goals to Yourself?
Unlike Brian Tracy, I’d never heard of Derek Sivers until following a link to this video. But his message is also very clear, makes sense and appears to have some evidence behind it.
If you skipped the video, Derek’s message is that the “feel good” factor you get from sharing your goals with others lessens the probability of your achieving them. The mind gets tricked into feeling you’ve “done”, rather than get you moving onto the first steps.
This is the opposite of the “accountability” model, which I must confess I had never really thought of as flawed in this way. Whilst I can see the logic in Derek’s argument, I certainly wouldn’t abandon sharing if it has worked for you.
I’m sure there is an element of fear of disapproval from others that drives people who share their goals. If you are going to Weight Watchers you don’t want to be the one who puts on weight? I cannot see that you always get gratification by sharing your goals. What do you think – please leave any comments below?
I share goals with others when they somehow arouse fear in me. And I share them with as many people as possible, until it gets to the point where needing to tell that many people that I didn’t do it is scarier than actually doing it. For example, I had plans to move across the country by myself. Scary. I told everyone and anyone where I was moving and what I was moving for. By the time it was time to commit (give notice on the job, put down a deposit on a place in the new location, etc.), people were already asking how the moving plans were going. No turning back! At least, that’s how it worked for me.
Heather
To me the “no turning back” element of sharing a goal is a key factor, and must in many circumstances outweigh the advantages of not sharing. So thanks for sharing your experiences.
David
Chipping away at it one day at a time goes against the “instant gratification” mentality of today, but I strongly agree that it is the secret to success. It is an endurance game, not a sprint. Liked the post. Yes, sharing goals is a great strategy. Nothing like peer pressure to move you forward.
Matt
Thanks for the comment. The more I reflect on this, the I agree with what you say. Sharing goals can usually be helpful, rather than a hindrance.
David
When I share a goal out loud with someone, it makes it so much more real to me. So that I can explain it to someone else, I have to make sure that I am really clear about it myself. It can be scary to do so because then I have to answer to someone else about why it did or didn’t happen
Dear David –
I have found that iit is true that you mimimize your chances of achieving success if you share your goal.
People will shoot it down.
Maybe they are afraid for you that you will fail – or it could be that they don’t want competition.
Ask any lawyer, real estate broker, blogger, travel agent, accountant -(you choose) what they think of your pursuing that profession.
Not one will agree.
You will hear –
“It used to be good – but no more. Forget it.”
Corinne
When someone shoots me down…it can make me more determined…”I’ll show them”.
Andrew
Corinne
Thanks for your comment. I think that’s very true in many walks of life’ people automatically give negative responses. Trouble is, we’re the only ones who know how much a goal means to us or how much we have done already to achieve it.
David
It’s a great thing to do and something I plan to do this Christmas and implement Jan 1st. Too much procrastinating and I love to see things ticked off a list!
Joel
Go for it! No more procrastination..
David
David,
A gouple of great videos – thanks for sharing.
I also watched the “100 Day Challenge“ video as well.
I have always been ‘into’ personal development and I love this sort of ideas.
For me, sharing goals with someone else really helps me…when you have 2 or more people striving for the same goal…even better.
Andrew
Andrew
I think the message has to be it depends who you share with and why. I never occurred to me that sharing might be negative, like you it helps. Thanks for commenting
David
I like the idea of the accountability interview. A time you set with the person you tell your goals to in order to report your progress since the last time you talked. These are usually set at 7-14 day intervals. You would use the plan on the back side of the paper you filled out for Brian Tracy to set the order of accomplishments. Then telling leads you from step to step the the accomplishment of the goal. So tell your goal to your accountability partner only!
Bruce
The whole life coaching business seems to have been built on this idea, most of the time a buddy or even spouse could do as well. Thanks for the comment.
David
Hmm. I often do not tell anyone my goals because I don’t want them to doubt me. Knowing that someone doesn’t think my goal is a good idea is a fast way to get me to give up, so I’ve been keeping my mouth shut for that reason. In fact, I tested my resolve on a particular goal just this week by telling my mother about it. I’m pleased that I still feel motivated to do it.
Interesting post!!
Amy
I find that a useful approach as well, ideally people you tell should be supportive…but! Sadly its a fact of life that we don’t like our family or peers to do something different as it upsets our own equilibrium.. Thanks for your comment – good luck with your goals.
David
I have read books on achievement and success, part of which is Brian Tracy’sThe Psychology of Achievement which I truly love. I feel that a goal can be achieved through baby steps, slowly making movement to reach what you want.Very nice Vid post,truly inspiring.
Hi David,
I share my goals with people I trust to keep me encouraged. I don’t share my goals with people who routinely undermine or diminish my plans. That’s just setting myself up for disappointment. I do think it’s important to let someone know.
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