Target Setting Made Flexible: Your Three-Tiered Path to Achieving Big Goals
Hi Team,
I have tried many different methods of setting goals for myself and what always shines through is the need to set clear, actionable targets, with a degree of flexibility. You can check out our previous newsletter on SMART goal setting here, which is a great way to clarify your goals.
A major challenge with traditional goal setting is the lack of flexibility that is present and how this can de-rail your progress. If you have set your action steps and then an unexpected item in your life comes up, it can mean that targets can be missed, and motivation is impacted. Today we are going to look at the three-tiered path to goal setting to ensure you keep on track, with four simple steps.
Step 1: Define Your End Goal
As with any efficient goal setting, the first step is to have a clear and specific outcome to aim for. I would recommend using the SMART criteria for selection of your main goal, ensuring that you get down to the specific detail of what you want to achieve. For the three-tiered approach to work, the end goal needs to be specific. For the purpose of today's newsletter, if we use the example of wanting to write your first book, specify the number of words that you are aiming for, such as 40,000 words.
Step 2: Break Down the Path to Your Goal
When you have your specific goal set, you now need to break the path into actionable steps. These should serve as smaller milestones, which will provide your direction and motivation. Taking the example of writing a book, this would mean the need to write a set number of words daily, allowing a period of time for editing, publishing and marketing.
Step 3: Establish Your Three-Tiered Levels
Taking all of the work that you have done to set your goal and the pathway to get there, now is the time to establish your three-tiered path. The three-tiered path should be set out as below:
Path 1: Minimum Effort
- This should be the baseline of work required to achieve your goal and should be something which no matter what challenges arise, you should be able to complete on target every time.
- In the example of writing our book, if we say completing 250 words per day, this would equate to 160 days to write the first draft.
Path 2: Moderate Effort
- This is the level of effort which should still feel achievable. The moderate effort target setting should be pushing you slightly but are goals which you should be hitting provided unexpected challenges don’t arise in your general life.
- In the example of writing our book, if we say completing 500 words per day, this would equate to 80 days to write the first draft.
Path 3: High Effort
- The highest level of effort are the actions steps which should feel extremely challenging, whilst remaining achievable with maximum effort. It is important to note that if you are setting goals too wild in this area, you will always go in expecting to fail on this level, so it is important to keep the right ambition here to have something challenging to aim for.
- In the example of writing our book, if we say completing 1,000 words per day, this would equate to 40 days to write the first draft.
Step 4: Track Your Progress & Adjust Accordingly
To keep track of your progress along your action steps, it is important to have a system that can identify your development. To visualise these three tiers running simultaneously, a chart or progress bar is recommended, as well as highlighting which tier you have hit the target for. By setting three paths forward, you should always be hitting one set of targets, which will ensure that you keep motivated.
As you move along the three-tiers, it is okay to adjust your system, as items become clearer in terms of the targets that you are able to hit. It is also okay to fluctuate between the three tiers, remembering that the key is to move forward along at least one tier and maintain your motivation towards your end goal.
Closing Remarks
The three-tiered path to target setting is designed to provide a flexible approach to going after your goals. It remains crucial that sustained progress lies in adapting to the circumstances laid out before you, whilst still moving toward your end goal. I invite you to try putting the three-tiered pathway into your own goal setting and let me know how you get on.
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