Direction Over Speed

Hey friend,

First & foremost, I want to say thank you for being here.

Your presence and support of this newsletter mean the world to me.

As we step into the final three months of 2023, I can’t help but reflect on how quickly this year has passed.

Yet simultaneously, I’m inspired by how much space for opportunity still lies ahead.

This is why having a driving force, a “why” in the words of Frankl or Nietzsche, is so important. When we anchor ourselves into a sense of purpose, the realm of possibility expands.

Powerful motivation is undeniably one of the cornerstones of getting what you want out of life, but there’s another vital ingredient at play here: goal setting.

While a strong “why” may fuel our journey, goals serve as our ultimate destination - the target at which we aim our arrow.

To put it simply: Direction over Speed.

And one more time (for the people in the back):

It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going if you’re going the wrong way.

This is where conscious and effective goal setting can serve as a compass.

With October 1, 2023, just around the corner, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to get still and craft a vision for how you intend to navigate the rest of 2023.

Here’s how.

The secret to motivating yourself lies in changing your circumstances.

Imagine placing a Liberal psychologist, a sociologist, and a Republican economist in one room.

If you can believe it… even in 2023, they'd all agree on one fundamental principle: behavior changes when the situation changes.

Then the question becomes: how can we alter our situation amidst unfavorable or even uncontrollable circumstances?

One of my favorite answers: Change the Frame.

Shifting Your Perception can start with Finding a New Target.

In his book, “Get It Done,” Ayelet Fishbach explains that there are four fundamental components of effective goal achievement.

The Four Pillars of Goal Achievement:

Choosing the Right Goal: Your journey begins by selecting a goal that resonates with your aspirations and aligns with the person you wish to become.

Sustaining Motivation: The path from where you are to where you want to be is often long and challenging. Cultivate a strong “why” and learn how to maintain your motivation throughout this journey.

Juggling Multiple Goals: In our fast-paced lives, managing multiple objectives is a skill worth mastering. Discover strategies to keep your goals in harmony and balance.

Leveraging Social Support: We don't journey alone. Find out how to harness the power of social connections to propel you toward your goals.

Today, we’re going to discuss how to choose the right goal - how to set the vision.

In my experience, there are two major roadblocks when it comes to setting aligned goals: comparison and external influence.

Both cloud our genuine desires and vision.

The rise of social media has created more comparison opportunities than ever before. Moreover, our enthusiasm for consuming content exposes us to a multitude of perspectives, allowing for many voices to influence our ways of thinking.

Consequently, it's become increasingly challenging to establish goals that genuinely reflect our true desires, as opposed to conforming to society's expectations.

For instance, I used to see tons of people online who “made it” as digital nomads, coaching fitness online to support their lifestyle. That comparison made me want to do the same.

In fact, a few years back, I dropped a hefty $3000 on a coaching program that promised to guide me toward this way of life 🙄

While the program helped me to write better content, it ultimately fialed to align with my current life stage and aspirations.

The lesson here is clear: Only pursue goals that harmonize with your genuine desires.

And, of course, don’t trust flashy online marketers 🤷🏻‍♂️

Let’s go back to the concept of Direction over Speed.

Establishing goals that align with our circumstances and vision is the key to setting the right direction.

In Fishbach's book, the opening chapter offers valuable insights into effective goal setting:

👁 Goals as Motivational Tools: Understand that goals are not only directional guides but also powerful motivators. They don’t just point you in the right direction - they actively pull you toward your aspirations.

🥅 Setting Goals, Not Means: Opt for defining your goals in terms of benefits rather than costs. Focus on "finding a job" rather than "applying for a job." Goals should inspire and energize you, not feel like chores.

🎨The Art of Abstract Goals: Abstract goals emphasize the 'why' behind your actions, making them more motivational. For example, “exploring new exercise routines” is far more invigorating than “reading online programming.” Abstract goals enable you to see the next step in connecting your current state to your desired future.

✅ Do vs. Do Not Goals: Embrace approach goals that pull you toward desirable states, and carefully consider avoidance goals that push you away from undesired outcomes.

Psychologist Tory Higgins provides insight into this distinction through the concepts of “ought” and “ideal” goals.

Ought goals encompass everything you need to do, like showing up to work or eating daily. Ideal goals, on the other hand, include activities you aspire to but don’t need to do, like working out or reading a book.

As Fishbach summarizes in her book, “When pursuing an ought goal, it’s fitting to avoid losses. When pursuing an ideal goal, it is more fitting to approach gains.”

Personally, I’ll be applying these strategies to my goal-setting this weekend. My trusted productivity planner, BestSelfCo, advises setting goals relevant to six life dimensions: Health, Finances, Work, Relationships, Personal Growth, and Mindfulness.

I hope you join me in this practice as we head into Q4 2023.

Questions to Guide Your Journey:

As you embark on this quarter's goal-setting journey, consider these important questions that were inspired by Fishbach’s insights:

• Are your goals aligned with your authentic self and the person you wish to become?

• How might you make your goals feel more exciting? How can you focus on what you aim to achieve, rather than the means to get there?

• Are your goals optimally abstract, allowing flexibility while maintaining clarity?

• Are your goals “ought” or “ideal” goals? Have you framed your goals in terms of approaching success, rather than avoiding failure?

With these insights and questions in mind, you are well-equipped to set holistic goals that drive your growth & happiness in Q4.

Quotes to Meditate on:

• "Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins

• "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis"

• “Goals transform a random walk into a chase." - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

• “A good goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot.” - Joe Vitale

• "A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement." - Bo Bennett

Thank You for Reading

What’s your big goal for the next three months? I’d love to hear.

Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, where we’ll begin to cover strategies for making these goals happen. Much more to come.

Wishing you a restful weekend & bright quarter ahead.

Much love,

Aidan