The Power of Strategic Goals

In the latest podcast we recently explored the art of setting strategic goals—not just any goals, but those that transform and balance our lives.  In this article, we’ll dive deeper into this topic, covering three types of strategic goals and how to achieve them while maintaining life balance.

My Journey with SMART Goals

My foray into goal setting began with an assignment to write three SMART goals for our businesses. SMART, as many of you know, stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. However, this approach led me to create a lengthy task list rather than true strategic goals.

Redefining SMART Goals

In a previous episode, I reimagined the SMART acronym.  For instance, ‘Specific’ became ‘Soul-Fulfilling,’ and ‘Achievable’ turned into ‘Amazing.’ This new framework encourages us to embrace the unknown and aim for goals that are both exciting and a bit daunting, giving us a greater chance for success.

S=Soul Fulfilling, M=Movement of energy, A= Amazing or Awesome, R=Rewarding, T=Time Per Day (Time Blocking)

The Three Types of Goals – Improvement, Inside & Outside

Effective goal setting is not a one-size-fits-all process.  Each individual’s aspirations and challenges are unique, and that’s why understanding different types of goals can be transformative.  Let’s delve into the three distinct types of goals: Improvement, Inside, and Outside.  Each category serves a specific purpose in your personal and professional growth.

1. Improvement Goals: Addressing What’s Not Working

Improvement goals are centered around identifying and rectifying areas in your life or work that are not yielding desired results.  This involves a critical self-assessment to pinpoint challenges or inefficiencies.

For instance, if you find yourself consistently overwhelmed by a cluttered workspace, setting a goal to organize and maintain a tidy environment would be an Improvement goal. The key here is to focus on turning a negative aspect into a positive change. It’s about transforming liabilities into assets, problems into solutions.

       2. Inside Goals: Focusing on Personal Development

Inside goals are deeply personal and introspective.  They’re about your own growth, health, passions, and inner happiness.  These goals are not influenced by external factors but are driven by what you feel is necessary for your personal fulfillment.

Examples of Inside goals could include improving your physical fitness, learning a new hobby, or dedicating time to meditation or self-reflection. The transformation here is inward and deeply personal, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

3. Outside Goals: Impacting Your External World

Outside goals pertain to aspects of your life that involve interactions with the world around you – your career, your relationships, your contributions to your community, or even your travel aspirations. These goals are externally focused and often involve others.

For instance, striving for a promotion at work, improving your relationships with family and friends, or volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about are all Outside goals. They extend beyond your personal sphere, impacting and involving others, and contributing to your role in the larger community or professional world.

 Achieving Work-Life Balance: Finding Equilibrium

It’s important to maintain a balance among these three types of goals.  Focusing too much on one category can lead to an unbalanced life.  Striving for a harmony between improvement, inside, and outside goals can lead to a more holistic and satisfying journey of growth and achievement.

I believe that work does not equal life, and striving for balance shouldn’t mean constantly juggling the two.  Following Jamye Price’s advice on neutrality, I’ve found that staying grounded and present allows me to handle life’s challenges without stress or anxiety.

Diving into the Three Goal Types

1. Improvement Goal: What’s Not Working?

Identify what you don’t want in your life.  For me, it was the feeling of being overwhelmed, like being ensnared by a dark grey blob with tentacles.  Then reframe the statement of what you don’t want into the positive, by stating what you do want.  Reframing these negatives into positives is crucial. Turn “I don’t want chaos” into “I seek peace and focus.”

2. Focus on the Inside – Internal Goals – SELF

Set goals that are purely about you.  What is that YOU want, what do YOU want to have, be, or do?  What’s important to you, as an individual, as a person.

In talking about creating work-life balance – I talk about 6 aspects of life, and I divide it into two categories, internal or inside aspects and external or outside aspects.

Self, Home, Play Time, or Hobbies are the “Inside” or Internal goals.  My personal goal was to regain my ‘hiking legs.’ This internal goal wasn’t just about physical fitness; it was about regaining my health and resilience to enjoy life fully.

3.  Focus on the Outside – External Goals

These are goals related to your external world, for example relationships, travel or career and work.  These goals are focused on the outside aspects of your life.

For me, the external goal I choose right now is to be consistent with my podcasts.  Instead of taking the totality of everything that is possible to accomplish, I focus on one aspect at a time.  Breaking down larger, sometimes overwhelming goals, into the most important next optimal component.

Workshop to Materialize Goals: A simple Four-Step Process

Transforming your aspirations into reality can seem daunting, but it’s achievable with the right approach. Here’s an expanded four-step process to help you actualize your strategic goals:

1. Nickname Your Goal: Assigning a nickname to your goal not only makes it more memorable but also infuses it with a personal touch, making it feel more tangible. For example, my goal to improve focus at work is simply named ‘Focus’. This one-word moniker encapsulates the essence of my ambition, making it easier to recall and stay motivated.  Similarly, I named my fitness goal ‘Fitbod,’ linking it to a fitness app I admire, reinforcing the connection between the goal and the desired outcome.  My external goal of being consistent with my podcasts is ‘PodPro.’
2. Launch Your Goal: Visualization is a powerful tool. It’s not just daydreaming; it’s a deliberate practice where you vividly imagine achieving your goal. Spend quiet time picturing yourself having already accomplished your goal.  Imagine how it feels, what changes in your life, and the positive impacts.  This mental rehearsal builds a deeper connection between your present actions and the future you’re striving for.  It’s like creating a mental blueprint for success.
3. Time Blocking: This step is about commitment. Look at your weekly schedule and block out specific times dedicated solely to working on your goal. Treat these time blocks as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.  Consistency is key here.  For instance, if you’re learning a new skill, schedule regular practice sessions.  It’s not the duration that matters as much as the regularity. If you can only spare 30 minutes twice a week, that’s fine, as long as you stick to it.
4. Take Inspired Action: During your scheduled time blocks, start with a few minutes of revisiting your visualization. Then, engage in what I call ‘inspired action.’ This means being open to ideas, suggestions, and opportunities that align with your goal. It could be as simple as reading an article, practicing a skill, or making a phone call.  Remember, action doesn’t always have to be forceful sometimes just sitting peacefully thinking about your goal can be the strongest action you take like we talked about in our episode on Patience.

Bonus Tip: Reflection and Adjustment: At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on your progress.  What worked well?  What didn’t?  Adjust your approach accordingly.  This iterative process helps you stay flexible and responsive to your evolving journey toward your goal.

Setting strategic goals isn’t just about ambition; it’s about transformation and balance.  I hope this article helps you in your journey to achieve your goals.

Share your experiences in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more insights.

Additional Resources:

For more on this topic, check out our podcast episodes linked below:

Redefining SMART Goals: NEW LOOK – Achieve YOUR Goals Faster

How to Create an “Epic Travel” Vision Board with Walling

Danette Lowe and Shine First Today

Want to learn more about reducing stress and anxiety?  Achieving Work-Life Balance?  Or Skyrocketing Your Productivity?

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