Goals are for Losers!!! ...Part 1

Scott Adam says goals are for losers! There is a lot of evidence supporting his claim.

 

You might not recognize Scott Adams by hearing his name or looking at his face. In fact, I'm noticing a trend in a lot of people who do great work. They look like freaking weirdos.

 

 

But you would certainly recognize him from reading his work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a graduate level degree in business ,I certainly know a lot about goals. I can teach you a lot about goals using the smart system. I can even teach you the formula for making a goal in a way that makes it really easy and effective (courtesy of: The Four Disciplines of Execution).

 

Here is the format. Create your goals like this.

 

From x to y, by when.

Examples 

From 28% margin to 30% margin, by September 31st. 

From 200 pounds to 180 pounds by December 31st. 

Filter your goals through the SMART system.

 

S- is for specific 

M- is for measurable

A- is for attainable 

R- is for relevant 

T-is for time bound

 

The literature on how to make this process work is endless, as are the "gurus", seminars, workshops, and meat beatings. However, let me just illuminate the fact that this process really doesn't work, at least not the way you would hope it would. Here is why:

 

1. Goals don't work because they make you feel in adequate in the moment, like what you are or what you have is not enough right now. It eliminates the possibility of being successful on the day that matters most...today. 
2. The achievement of the goal a misnomer at most and elusive at best. As soon as you achieve the goal you are looking for the next best thing. Never ending chasm separating you from fulfillment.

Wouldn't be easier to set up a process that allows you to win every day?

 

   (EZRA POUND)

 

Ezra pound said, "only emotion endures". So, if we measure the quality of our today using emotional capital,we would rather not wait until a goal has been attained.  We may decide that we would rather be successful each and every day.