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Ask HN: Setting Goals

9 pointssscheper6 comments

So after hearing how 37 Signals recommends against setting goals, I've been trying to figure out if I should set goals for myself personally.

I've tried a variety of methods (like Setting SMART Goals, using software, reflecting and setting one simple goal), but I wanted to hear what you've found to work personally. And if you even think goal setting works (in your opinion).

I'd also be interested in hearing any innovative goal-setting practices you've heard of. Or if you could share some interesting methods that others used in setting goals.

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An oldie but goodie is from Think and Grow Rich:

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Napoleon-Hill/dp/04492...

Develop one Definitive Chief Aim. It's a very specific medium to long-term goal (1 - 20 years or so) with a specific deadline. Repeat it to yourself every day. Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Don't bother with intermediate goals that you aren't fully passionate about. Spend the time to determine what is truly important to you and focus on that. It worked for Bruce Lee:

My Chief Personal Aim In Life:

I, Bruce Lee, will be the highest paid Oriental superstar in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting in 1970, I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession the sum of $10,000,000—then I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.

Bruce Lee 1969

http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/think-grow-rich-or-di...

I just read the book last fall so I obviously haven't achieved my goal yet, but I have until December 31st, 2014 to get there.

Also, for another method, Randy Pausch in his Time Management lecture (a really good lecture) said that he always knew what needed to get done that day, that week, and that semester. So that might be a good way to set incremental goals.

imp -- Thanks for the insight. I really need to re-read Think and Grow Rich. Awesome link. Had no idea Bruce Lee did that.

Rules I live by to get things done (that work for everyone): 1. Figure out what you have done. 2. Decide what task demands your immediate attention NOW. 3. Stop debating and devote yourself fully to doing #2* and disregard time* completely while doing so. 4. Repeat.

#'s 2-3 constitute a task or procedure but can scale to either smaller or larger scales.

This could be anywhere from taking your next breath to factoring a complex polynomial.

Always live within the lowest common denominator (subroutine) within any given procedure.

Use your internal clock. Work accumulators (internal clocks) are better measures of elapsed work whereas clocks just measure elapsed time. (How many times have you stopped to look at the clock and say, "Wow, I've been working for 2 hours! Better take a quick break." This is how you lose your mojo juice and start looking for crap like SMART goals or self-reflections as a cure for laziness. Work is the only known cure for laziness--and goal-setting is a symptom.)

Never waste energy thinking beyond the next task. This is because the distant future is uncertain whereas reevaluating the past per iteration of a task provides a clearer picture of where you're heading. However, this model works best in an environment where your work is predetermined like in school or a day job. In a startup you would have to devote a small fraction, say no more than 10% of your time, to developing a mental "big picture" and the rest to the model presented here. As we all know, while ideas change, work stays constant.

Damn good insight, Cianestro. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

I like how you've made it so simple and action oriented.

You're speaking of flow when you mentioned "Wow, I've been working for 2 hours! Better take a quick break." I definitely think that's a good gauge of setting the right goal, or at least doing what you were meant to do.

I assume you are referring to this post http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1689-link-ready-aimfail-why-s... ??

As I understand it, it does not recommending you don't set goals, it is just recommending that goals be something more than a to-do list or group of numbers.

Let's take a goal such as 'fix a bug within two days'. What 37 Signals is saying is that that isn't a good goal if by fixing that bug, you introduce two others.

Or 'add two new paying customers a day', doesn't help if you lose 3 per day. So you'd be better off with a goal like 'grow revenue 3% each month'.

How you word your goals is very important, and makes sure you are focusing on the right things.

That's my take on it.

I don't think that goals themselves are a bad idea, they give you something to aim for and a sense of completion once you get there. Personally I've found that setting short term goals ( < 1 week away ) has helped keep me on course.

That being said, the company I work for requires us to set SMART goals every quarter and account for >= 70% tied to individual bugs. This is a complete nightmare for me because the goals that are defined for us don't conform to SMART at all and everyone ends up fudging their hours to meet the 70% requirement.

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