Member-only story
Stop Setting Goals
Do this instead and you’ll accomplish more
I’ve been asking my writing groups to set goals every Sunday for a while now.
I do it because science tells us that if you share your goals in public, you’re more likely to achieve them.
Now I’m asking you (and them) to stop.
What? Why on earth would I say something as crazy as that?
Goals aren’t enough
I recently shared how I spent countless afternoons shooting baskets. I did that like kids play video games and watch TV shows now. The difference is in my youth there were only 3 or 4 TV channels and video games meant Pong on a cumbersome game console connected to your black and white TV.
Hardly enough to inspire excitement.
Throwing the ball so it hit the basket was exciting. Seeing how many swishes I could get from how many places was a blast.
But it didn’t get me on the basketball team. It didn’t inspire conversations about shooting hoops. And I gave it up when I assumed adult responsibilities.
Goals are great when you want to accomplish something. But they’re not enough. They’re like the car you drive to work. They’ll get…
