Setting Goals Within Our Control

A few years ago I learned one can be oriented towards goals, which means results. Or one can be oriented towards work, which means being busy. Since then I worked on being more goal oriented. Just as I thought I was winning that battle I discovered the enemy right in front of my face…

Setting Goals Within Our Control

I’m a big proponent of methodical goal-setting. Since I started using this method I had a very good ratio of goals achieved. You know why? Because I set goals that were completely within my control. Deliver 7 blog posts within a week. Easy. Create 6 videos in six months. Doable.

I realised I set myself goals that are 100% controllable by me. They are not like gain X viewers for my blog or achieve Y likes on YouTube. These are outside of my control.

I can decide to put in the work, I can't guarantee the outcome. Paraphrasing an ancient text:

"The most a warrior can do is sacrifice their life. The outcome of the battle is in god's hands".

Art & Science of Goal Setting

The results come or not come depending on external world. Yet, in the end we want to get somewhere. Achieve certain results.

I guess that results are a metric for deciding about our projects or efferts. They are not guarantees. They can help us decide whether what we do works. If we want to continue. But they are not what we should commit to.

I guess setting goals is both - planning the work and aiming for the result. There’s a fine balance between the two. Goal setting is art and science it turns out. It demands practice.