Flexibility: A Powerful Goal Achievement Characteristic
Thank you for reading. This is the final part of a 4-part series on goal setting. In this piece, I examine flexibility.
When I played college baseball, I set a goal to reach base once each game I played. This could be the result of a hit, walk, error, or hit by pitch. It didn't matter because the goal to reach base was based on a higher purpose: to help my team win.
Was I always successful in reaching base every game? No, I wasn't. As a matter of fact, like all baseball players, I failed more than I succeeded. There are many ways to NOT reach base safely, but one situation highlights why I believe that good goals (ones you are more likely to stick with and achieve) are flexible.
Let's take as an example the following baseball scenario.
I have not reached base yet today. It is my final at bat. I have a teammate on first base. There are no outs and the game is tied. The coach gives me the signal to sacrifice bunt. For those who don't know, a sacrifice bunt is designed to move the runner to the next base by sacrificing myself. In other words, I get our. He moves closer to scoring.
If I do what is asked of me, I will not reach base safely in this game. Thus, I will not achieve my goal of reaching base. If I do not, I will likely be benched for not doing what the coach wants me to do. In this situation, flexibility (and focusing on the greater purpose - winning) allows me to fully focus on doing what is asked even at the expense of my personal goal.
Let's examine a slightly different scenario.
Same goal. In my first at-bat, I get a hit. So, I have achieved my goal. Now, what do I do next time? Do I not try as hard? Of course not. Flexibility allows me to refocus on an adjusted goal - to reach base twice this game!
I read quite a bit about goals setting and I have yet to come across a conversation that involves flexibility as an aspect of good goal setting. I suspect that is because many people misinterpret flexible as non-committal. I also believe that there is not enough emphasis on identifying a "greater good" aspect to each personal goal. If the purpose of the goal is solely linked to selfish gains, then the goal does not have the foundation upon which to thrive in messy or unanticipated situations - which life presents constantly.
With gratitude,
Troy
When I played college baseball, I set a goal to reach base once each game I played. This could be the result of a hit, walk, error, or hit by pitch. It didn't matter because the goal to reach base was based on a higher purpose: to help my team win.
Was I always successful in reaching base every game? No, I wasn't. As a matter of fact, like all baseball players, I failed more than I succeeded. There are many ways to NOT reach base safely, but one situation highlights why I believe that good goals (ones you are more likely to stick with and achieve) are flexible.
Let's take as an example the following baseball scenario.
I have not reached base yet today. It is my final at bat. I have a teammate on first base. There are no outs and the game is tied. The coach gives me the signal to sacrifice bunt. For those who don't know, a sacrifice bunt is designed to move the runner to the next base by sacrificing myself. In other words, I get our. He moves closer to scoring.
If I do what is asked of me, I will not reach base safely in this game. Thus, I will not achieve my goal of reaching base. If I do not, I will likely be benched for not doing what the coach wants me to do. In this situation, flexibility (and focusing on the greater purpose - winning) allows me to fully focus on doing what is asked even at the expense of my personal goal.
Let's examine a slightly different scenario.
Same goal. In my first at-bat, I get a hit. So, I have achieved my goal. Now, what do I do next time? Do I not try as hard? Of course not. Flexibility allows me to refocus on an adjusted goal - to reach base twice this game!
I read quite a bit about goals setting and I have yet to come across a conversation that involves flexibility as an aspect of good goal setting. I suspect that is because many people misinterpret flexible as non-committal. I also believe that there is not enough emphasis on identifying a "greater good" aspect to each personal goal. If the purpose of the goal is solely linked to selfish gains, then the goal does not have the foundation upon which to thrive in messy or unanticipated situations - which life presents constantly.
With gratitude,
Troy
