I love working out, or more specifically, having the endorphin boost to keep myself energized and ready to tackle the world. I find that goal-setting has the same effect on me. The pursuit of goals gives me the mental energy to stay focused and maintain a high level of motivation and productivity. I think of goals as a springboard for action. Regardless of the outcome, to me goals are like renewable energy sources that direct my attention, choices, and behavior. Goal-getting is an ever-present and major part of my personal and professional life, with the focus being on continuous learning and exponential growth. Reaching a goal is always exciting. But not all goals are created equal. Some accomplishments matter more and are more meaningful than others. And there is nothing more exhilarating than completing a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and doing something for the very first time.
My BHAG recently accomplished was having my first book available on Kindle. I have been dabbling in writing off and on for years, but it was more of a hobby and lowest on the priority list. In November last year, something had shifted, and I decided that finishing a book (one of several I’ve started over the years) would be my BHAG for 2021. Yes, I set a BHAG and have reached it. Yay! The day I launched the eBook, I was bubbling over with joy and excitement. Then I quickly realized I didn’t really have any rituals to celebrate a big success. I usually treat myself to one of the things I like doing like a fun run or a rich and extra chocolaty decadent dessert. On this occasion, it just didn’t feel right. It was time to pause and think about building a ritual to celebrate success in a new way. If my usual way is doing the things I enjoy or spending time with people I love, this time called for a “time out.” I never ever just stop moving or doing. So, I needed to find a way to stay on cloud nine a bit longer and relish the feeling of reaching my goal.
Here’s what I came up with - The 3 Rs of My Rewarding Results Ritual: Rest. Recognize. Reflect:
REST
This is the most difficult step for me. I know we all need rest, but my first choice is typically some sort of physical activity, which is great when living a relatively sedentary life, but in my case, it’s not really a break from the normal routine. I usually celebrate in fun ways that nurture the body. I needed to learn to pause and celebrate in ways that nurture my mind and spirit, really taking time off from the rigorous pace and many tasks of running a small business and writing books. It was time to hit the reset button. I’m truly a novice when it comes to taking a chill pill and embracing the art of doing nothing. Sitting still is hard for me. I always aspire to be productive in my waking hours. Even when I take the time to watch Netflix, I try to do that on the treadmill, while doing my hula hoop, or knitting. I never give myself the gift of doing nothing, of being still physically and mentally with no cognitive engagement – no social media, no books, no podcasts, no Netflix, absolutely nothing. If you asked me before whether it would be possible, I’d have said “never in a million years.” But not only did I spend a whole afternoon doing nothing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I turned off my to-do list for the day and just did whatever tickled my fancy.
RECOGNIZE THE GOOD
Scientific studies show that adopting an attitude of gratitude improves both physical and mental health. Call it vitamin G. I have been practicing daily gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal and adding to it every day. My format has been to write three things I am grateful for, list one achievement of the day (no matter how small), and recognize people who impact my day in a positive way. To celebrate a big win, I had to upgrade and elevate this practice to a celebratory level. My daily gratitude practice tends to be externally focused - on the people who help and support me and the privileges I enjoy. It was time to turn the practice inward and recognize the good within me, reflecting upon all the things I like and appreciate about myself. I habitually try to bring others up, to spread positivity and lift people up with good and genuine compliments and words of encouragement. But very rarely, if ever, do I stop to give myself a compliment. I gave myself permission to be grateful and celebrate myself. I wrote down the following: “Today I am grateful for the woman I am. The world needs me, and I do make a difference with my acts of kindness and my work. I have a lot more to accomplish, but I am happy and proud of who I am and how far I’ve come. I am capable of bringing my dreams to life and will continue to do so each and every day.”
REFLECT
Compliments (even if self-directed) create an instant mood booster. It is a foundational step to reflection. When we are in a positive frame of mind self-reflection becomes more powerful because positive emotions broaden our perspective and open us up to possibilities. My method to reflect on my experience (and success) is to use the following questions:
What did I set out to do? What actually happened?
What went well and why? What didn’t go well & why?
What were the main drivers of my success?
What were the biggest roadblocks/challenges I overcame?
In what ways did I live up to my core values and purpose to leave a positive impact?
What are the most valuable lessons I learned?
If I had to do it all over again, what 3 things would I change?
Where can I grow to move forward?
What do I need to keep being inspired?
What new things can I try?
With the 3 steps of my Rewarding Results Ritual completed, it is now time to move forward onto the next BHAG.
In his book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, Jim Collins coined the term BHAG. It refers to a strategic goal that describes an envisioned future, typically spanning over 10+ years. But BHAGs are definitely applicable to individuals. To maximize our growth potential, we need to set daring goals. However, it seems to me that in a fast-changing, uncertain, and unpredictable world, goals can quickly become outdated. Just think of how the pandemic has dramatically changed our world and our lives. When I think about setting a BHAG, I align it with my “True North” purpose, but keep it flexible. I set a 12-month BHAG and break it into smaller units: Here’s how:
1 BHAG that’s deeply meaningful.
4 Quarterly milestones involved in working toward my BHAG.
12 Monthly mini-goals to be achieved each month of the year to mark my progress.
52 Weekly wins to inspire mt & keep me on track to take action the entire year.
The purpose of setting a BHAG is taking on the challenge. It’s OK to not achieve it. The idea is to set a high-effort goal that might be just out of reach. BHAGs are not expected to be achieved one hundred percent. They are meant to push us further than ever before and inspire growth and transformation in dynamic and unpredictable ways. Even if I don’t bag my next BHAG, I would still learn new things and my efforts will not be in vain.
Success comes to those who work for it. May you conquer and flourish!
Comments