You have a big goal. But do you know why you want to achieve it?
When it comes to successfully achieving your goals, you probably already know that your goal should be specific and measurable. But did you also know that it’s important to understand the intentions behind your goal?
Typical goal setting strategy involves writing down your goal, plotting out your timelines, and breaking down your big goal into smaller pieces. These are all essential steps towards reaching your goal. But it’s just as important, if not more so, to understand why you’re pursuing your goal in the first place.
What is motivating you to achieve this goal? Is this something you’ve always wanted to pursue? Or do you feel pressured to do it because your peers are doing it? Getting to the heart of your goal, and understanding why it’s important to you, will help strengthen your resolve to achieve it.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of being more intentional with goal setting.
- Emotional connection. Your goal’s purpose gives an added motivation to your goal that is beyond “I want to eat healthier” or “I want a new job.” It makes your goal more meaningful to you. Without that connection, it’s easier to give up on your goal or see it as a burden.
- You’ll learn how to problem solve. If you’re having trouble sticking with your goal, examining your goal and why you want to achieve it can provide clarity and insight. For example, you might discover that your initial goal of “running a successful business” is not your true goal, but that you would rather “create a community.” Now you can course correct and pursue a goal that is more aligned with your true interests.
- You’ll be more resilient. Big goals take time and effort to achieve. It may even take years for some goals to come to fruition. And in that time, you may experience failure, heartbreak, and setbacks. What will motivate you to keep going? What will help you keep your eye on the prize when you don’t see significant results right away? The answer: Your intention. It will help you weather the storm and overcome any setbacks.
- You’ll see the big picture. When you know your intention, you’ll be able to appreciate the bigger picture. You’ll know that setbacks and negative results aren’t the end-all-be-all, and that they are, in fact, part of the journey.
Here’s how to dig deeper with your goal and find your underlying purpose.
Define your specific goal
To start, you’ll want to make sure that your goal is specific and clearly defined.
It’s hard to muster energy and rouse enthusiasm for a goal that is too abstract. A specific goal, on the other hand, gives you something to strive for and an outcome to reach.
Examples of how to transform your goal from abstract to specific:
Abstract: I want to be happy.
Specific: I want to carve out solo time for myself everyday.
Abstract: I want to read more.
Specific: I want to read a book a week.
Abstract: I want to be healthier.
Specific: I want to run three times a week.
Use the "5 Whys Paradigm"
Now that you have a clearly defined goal it’s time to better understand why you want to pursue it with the 5 Whys Paradigm.
So what exactly are the 5 Whys? It’s a problem-solving exercise to help you look closely at an existing issue and get to the heart of the matter. The idea is that asking yourself one question will lead you to the next question and the next one until you finally understand what the deeper issue is.
You can conduct the 5 Whys exercise to help you validate your existing goal and fully understand why this goal is important to you, which will then increase your motivation to achieve it. Or, you can also use the 5 Whys to problem solve your goal and to learn why you’re not progressing as you should. This will help you gain clarity and get to the root of the problem.
Example: I want to exercise more but I’m not sticking to my running routine.
- Why? I don’t feel like running.
- Why? It’s boring.
- Why? Because I’m all alone out there.
- Why? Because I like being around people.
- Why? Because people motivate me.
So, just from examining the problem with the 5 Whys, you are now presented with several possible solutions. By discovering that you dislike the solitary nature of running, you can refine your goal to reflect what it is you truly like and want to do. Maybe it’s a matter of joining a running club or finding a running buddy. Or maybe it’s replacing running with an exercise routine that is more social, like a dance class or hiking club.
As you can see, the 5 Whys can help you investigate the problem more deeply, and from many different angles. Without introspection, you might be tempted to give up on your goal altogether or blame yourself for lacking the will or drive to succeed. But through self-reflection, you not only discover the hidden truth, but you find all the possible solutions to help you successfully accomplish your goal.
How to check-in with your goal
It’s important to check-in with your goal on a regular basis to see if you’re staying on track or to identify any challenges.
Do a monthly or quarterly review. During this check-in, make sure to examine any issues using the 5 Whys. For example, if you’re not meeting this month’s writing goal, conduct the 5 Whys exercise to determine what’s really going on here and to explore possible solutions or alternatives.
Modify your purpose when necessary. Sometimes the intentions behind your goal will change. You might achieve certain milestones or you might gain new experiences and perspectives, and all of this can change your underlying purpose. So, when necessary, check-in with your goal and reflect on whether you need to adjust. Modifying your intention or bigger purpose will fine-tune your goal setting strategy and renew your resolve.
Written by JiJi Lee
