Generally success is the result of a personal or professional strategy. To create that strategy we must create a vision of our desired future and we must carefully select the goals that will guide us on the road to success. Having a weak goal can give us a weak result or a temporary improvement; having the right goal can drive us to achieve something extraordinary and sustain our development in the medium and long term.
Some elements of the goals
In the workplace, the practice of setting goals is common, since it is part of the annual results plan. In the same way, when setting goals in other spheres of life, several of the factors that are used in business goals intervene. In both cases, for a goal to work, broadly speaking, it is necessary to: clearly define what you want to achieve, establish a deadline to achieve it, develop an action plan, translate it into clear steps, propose a strategy to monitor progress and have Clear what the reward will be when you get the results.
The type of goal makes the difference
We will review 2 different types of goals: Dislike Goals and Aspiration Goals.
Dislike Goals
Goals for Aversion are those that we set ourselves to avoid suffering or discomfort. When reaching a Target by Aversion, the benefit that it will provide us is the “relief” of avoiding a negative consequence, which does not necessarily imply improvement or growth. For example: Pass an exam or that we are not as "bad" as the last time, arrive "less late" so that the boss does not yell at us, "take her in peace" so as not to fight with the couple, "think about my dreams ”To survive a job that is not supported, etc. Goals by Aversion fail to lead us to success because they serve to define "what we want to stop being" but they do not help us to consider "what we want to become." Also according to scientific research, Dislike Goals do not improve our general well-being because they only provide temporary relief;They keep us afloat but don't help us move forward.
Aspiration Goals
Instead, the Aspiration Goals are those that we set ourselves to achieve a positive consequence; and generally they imply having a good strategy and plan of action for its achievement. For example: if I set a goal that "I no longer want to be disorganized", this is staying on the plane of aversion - not by ceasing to be disorganized I am automatically going to become a more organized person. On the other hand, if I aspire to become an "organized person" I must be clear about the - "why" - I am doing it - "I want to become organized to better manage my time and priorities, to do what really fulfills me". Furthermore, I must be clear about “What” - I have to do to achieve it ”- and commit myself to developing in myself the habits, discipline and lifestyle that will lead me to my goal:“ Start using an agenda,have a list of the day's earrings on the desk, stick a reminder on the mirror, etc. " Keeping in mind the "why" and the "what" all the time will help you sustain your change in the long term and achieve the results you want.
In conclusion: Aversion Goals solve our short-term challenges and help us cope with and survive unwanted situations. Aspirational Goals help us "Transform" adverse situations by turning them positive and help us grow and develop our potential by pushing us to meet new challenges.
Sources:
- Positive Psychology: a Practical Guide - Bridget GrenVille-Cleave UK.Succeed: How to reach your Goals - Heidi Grant.
