hOW TO SET GOALS

When we use systems – processes, tools, and habits – to achieve our goals, we can get much more accomplished in less time. 

Think about your job. There are processes and tools in place to promote more efficient and effective working. 

The most tangible example is an assembly line. This is a system where widgets are produced more quickly than if the same group of people working on the assembly line got together and tried to produce them without any systems, tools, or organization. 

When you have a system in place, you work more effectively. You get more done. 

I love creating systems in my job and in my personal life to work better, faster, and more effectively, therefore I came up with my own goal system called, Beanstalk Goals. 

Beanstalk Goals helps to illustrate how goals are achieved and provides a common structure for all our goals. As the name sounds, the structure is a beanstalk. 

Remember the story of Jack and the Beanstalk? Jack and his mom didn’t have much money. He took a risk and purchased seeds, which did not please his mom. To their surprise, the seeds grew into a giant beanstalk. 

He climbed to the top of the beanstalk and ran into a monster that wanted to eat him. Jack decided to keep going when the monster awoke instead of escaping back down the beanstalk. Because he didn’t give up, he saved a hen and a harp before leaving. To his surprise, the hen produced golden eggs, giving Jack and his mom much more income.

Similar to Jack’s adventure, your ultimate goal sits at the top of the beanstalk. Your ultimate goal is a BIG goal, a longer-term goal, something that seems out of reach. 

The objective is to get to the top of your beanstalk. There will be many obstacles, failures, and setbacks to get there though, just like Jack faced when he ran into the monster.

At the top of your beanstalk, write down specifically what your goal is and why you want it.

The what and the why are both very important. If you think you know what you want to achieve, but don’t know why you want to achieve it, this journey is going to be more difficult. 

For example, if your house is on fire, and inside was a family album you wanted, would you go in after it?

Now, what if one of your children or parents were inside that house? Would you go in and get them? 

The why on the second scenario is much more important than an album. You likely wouldn’t risk your life for an album, but for a helpless family member, you most likely would. 

Your why is the key to how much you will risk and how hard you will work to achieve your goal. The more important your why is to you, the more likely you will achieve your goal.

The top represents a stretch goal, a BIG goal. No one is going to achieve this in a day, week, or month. Next, you’ll break this BIG goal down into smaller goals.

You can apply this Beanstalk Goals method to any goal.