You're using goals the wrong way

Eitan Gersh Kaplawi -

How to choose and work on the right goals

When setting goals most ppl do it wrong. They use the SMART method or some similar variation, but that’s missing the point.
If you want to make real progress you have to set the right goals, otherwise, you're pointing yourself in the wrong direction.
The method below is the way  Amazon defines goals for their teams.

As a friend of mine puts it:

Control the controlables

How to set the right goals for you

I’m talking about short-medium term goals (week to 6 months).
The biggest mistake ppl do is select goals that they can’t control.

For example:$10K income a month from content creation.
I can’t control how much money I’ll make, focusing on that can be demoralizing. What I can control is:

  • How many products I’ll create and sell.
  • Their price.
  • How many times I’ll post.
  • Will I promote my posts?
  • The visuals of my products.
  • Etc.

The key is to separate between things you can control, Controllable Inputs.
From things you can't control, the Output you want.

Aim for a Desired Output you want to reach BUT focus only on the Controllable Inputs that will lead you to it.
You’ll tweak and adjust the inputs until they’ll move you toward your desired Output fast.

Example of tweaking a Controllable Input towards 10K followers on Twitter:

  1. I’ll post once a day.
  2. I’ll post twice a day.
  3. I’ll post twice a day, only for Creators, and only about Goal setting.
  4. I’ll post twice a day, only for Creators, and only about Goal setting. One of the posts will be a thread that includes a visual.
  5. I’ll post twice a day, only for Creators, and only about Goal setting. One of the posts will be a thread that includes a visual. AND I’ll edit and get feedback on posts before posting them from my friend.

Eventually, you'll reach an input that will move you toward your Desired Output.
This means that you should:

  1. Define your desired output.
  2. Define your initial Controllable Inputs, but do not get too attached to them. You're not married.
  3. Once a week review your controllable inputs.
  4. Did you do them? What's the reason you didn't do them?
  5. Were they effective?
  6. How can you adjust them to be even more effective?

You can also look at other areas of your life using this lens.
You don’t control the quality of your work, but you do know that if you sleep better, you’ll create better. Control your sleep time.

You don’t control your friends, but chances are if you text, phone, and have deep conversations with them on a regular basis, you’ll have a good relationship.

You don’t control your partner, but chances are if focus on listening to her you’ll have a better relationship.

There are enough areas of life that are out of your control. Making sure the things that are under your control are the right way, increases your likelihood of success.

Good luck

Find a single thing you control and focus on improving it.