Beyond Invisible Barriers: goal-setting that works.

You’re gaining momentum. Soaring!

Suddenly, from out of nowhere: “Spla-a-at!”

You hit that invisible barrier that sends you reeling.

I have a floor-to-ceiling, home office picture window that looks onto my back garden. It’s a bit of an overgrown forest. Several large, mature trees are host to countless birds and squirrels. Together, they create an enchanting, personal orchestra that accompanies my workspace.

Every so often, as I’m deeply engrossed in work, my flow and ‘Zen’ are abruptly disturbed. I'm jolted by a severe 'thud': a precious, beautiful bird that comes winging in at full throttle. It crashes headlong into the oversized window!

You see, from its perspective, the bird does not see the window (which is mirroring to it more trees and sky). It's a heart-stopping 'whack'! The bird careens straight into the glass.

It's an invisible barrier between the bird and what it perceives as more of what it is seeking. That is, a beautiful space within which to fly.

Sometimes these wondrous winged companions are just momentarily dazed. Sometimes, sadly, the shock of impact is too great and it is their demise.

I continue to try everything to help them ‘see’ more clearly. This is, after all, a real and potentially very harmful obstacle. In spite of my efforts, it remains largely invisible to them until they collide with it.

The same happens to you and me sometimes with our goals.

You’re working it – your goal or goals. You’re gaining momentum. Soaring even! And, all of a sudden, out of nowhere: “Spla-a-at!” You hit that invisible barrier that sends you reeling.

We’ve all encountered it, haven’t we? You were totally on track -- until you weren’t! ^{[click to tweet]}

What happened?

Too often, we don’t even really know. Procrastination. Busyness. Other priorities. New work demands. Family pressures. Unexpected circumstances.

The list goes on…

Now What?

Whatever it is that took us off-course – we’re derailed!

Sometimes, it’s a glitch. You quickly get back on track. Other times, days, weeks, months and sometimes even years go by…

“What’s happening?” we wonder.“Why didn’t, or why aren’t my goals coming to fruition?”

It’s painful. Unproductive. Disheartening.

Worse – it can leave your latent talent and potential unrealized. Like the bird, your song is never fully sung; your heights never quite soared.

Over time, it creates quiet resignation. It's a kind of begrudging acceptance that seeps into our being.

From a professional leadership perspective, that kind of 'settling' can have bigger consequences. Our companies and teams are not flourishing as they could be.

Either way, it doesn’t need to be like this. We are not ‘bird-brains’ after all. We have the wherewithal to recognize seemingly invisible barriers. We can make sure we don’t fall victim to them.

That takes some thinking.

Plus, it requires us to not only think about ‘what’ we are thinking but also ‘how’ we are thinking.

In this instance, we must think not only about the goals themselves and 'what' they are. We must think about the 'why' behind them, as well as ‘how’ we’re setting and living them.

'Think Anew!' Goal-Setting

Let's explore a dual-approach to help us ‘think anew’. Get better at recognizing and navigating invisible barriers to our goals. Go beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works.

Like everything I like to share with you, it's a “speed-of-life” practical application. In other words, it's for everyday life and leadership. It works, real time.

If you’ve been hitting walls where you anticipated progress, this is for you. ^{[click to tweet]}

Never really clarified, written or are not in the habit of setting goals? You'd like to but are not sure how? This will help you start. It will help ensure the goal-setting process itself works for you, too.

Already a seasoned, accomplished goal-setter? This will accelerate and refine what you already do.^{[click to tweet]}

Leading or mentoring others in their way forward? Setting goals with your team/s? Yes, you guessed it. It's for you, too. Discover the kinds of questions that will help you to help others. Empower them to identify and take steps to their highest aspirations.

This approach is only NOT for you if you've already found a better way. The act of goal-setting isn't for everyone.

Although… That too might simply be another invisible barrier. If so, this process will help you to see and overcome it too, if you wish.

Beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works. It's a goal-setting practice that is for you:

No matter the circumstance or nature of your goals
Regardless of how well you are or are not doing

and IF:

You’d like to ignite or kindle enthusiasm
You're keen to energize your potential and the potential of others
You're invested and committed to achieving what I like to call “inspired accountability.”

You know? It’s intrinsic motivation. A personal sense of accountability that comes from the inside out.

It is spirited; and, when you feel inspired in that way, you truly become unstoppable. You take full responsibility for achieving what you’ve set out to do.

It’s productivity at its finest, really.

So, let’s get started….

SMART goals and 'SMARTER' thinking. A winning combination.

Before beginning the goal-setting process itself, let's start with the goal-setter -- YOU.

Don't just set goals. Think first about why you're setting them.

Beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works. To do that, it's important that you not 'go through the motions'. Rather, pause to consider the 'why' behind the goal-setting steps and how each one relates to you.

This is critical.

Set Up for Success -- the 'why' behind the goal-setting steps.

Getting clear on the 'why' helps us to discern and expose our own invisible barriers. Once seen, it’s a lot easier to navigate around and past them.

So, no matter your goal-setting process, revisit it, as if for the first time.

You’ll find this simple approach potentially game-changing.

SMART goals? – and why it matters.

You’ve probably heard a lot of praise – and an equal amount of criticism – about SMART goals: “They work!” “They don’t work!” etc.

Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Time-phased. Agree or disagree. Appreciate the process, or don't. 'SMART' goal-setting helps you identify and address a two-fold invisible barrier. It's a barrier that is often the culprit for unrealized dreams.

It’s this:

A lack of clarity. Fuzzy, blurred vision. Unclear thinking. Poor planning. Inadequate thought. Simply put, if you set a goal that is not clear, it’s like shooting an arrow at a target you cannot see. The target itself becomes the barrier. What does this mean? Know your 'why'. Articulate it clearly, by being specific.

Indistinct focus. It’s the sister to lack of clarity. An unclear, non-specific, ill-conceived or non-time-phased goal creates hazy, dim, vague or muffled focus. Your goal gets lost in the shuffle of other demands. It gets usurped by conflicting priority and weak commitment. Resultant uncertainty becomes a formidable barrier, even if or when it is ‘invisible’.

In a nutshell, ensuring your goals are ‘SMART’ will test your desire. It will help you realize if your aspiration is to remain a dream or if you're ready to chunk it down into reality. It's the careful thought needed to achieve clarity and focus.

It’s essential to collaboration and results. It's especially important if you’re coordinating your goals with others. And, who among us isn’t in some way?

It's also key if you're in a more formal leadership position. You may be responsible for the coordination of multiple and interacting sets of goals.

Clarity and focus will help ensure that interconnections between goals are clearer. Get beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works. You'll achieve a more integrated ‘whole’. It's like a well-oiled machine vs. a tangled mess of wire.

Done well, you'll know exactly what it is you and others are aiming and accountable for.

All of this is critical but it’s not enough.

It’s not enough because SMART goals are like the ‘machine-side’ of goals. The process ensures the mechanics. It spells out expectations, to ensure accountability.

But it does not factor in the ‘inspired’ aspect of accountability. Engagement. Commitment. Desire.

People – you, me, all of us – we need to throw our hearts over the bar in order for our minds and actions to follow!

In other words, we need goals that we truly and deeply want to achieve. This is especially true when the goals aren’t 'ours', as in most organizational settings.

Leadership - whether of self or others - means engaging hearts, fuelling imaginations and energizing aspirations. This is where ‘SMARTER’ goal setting comes in.

‘SMARTER’ thinking – and what that means to you.

‘SMARTER’ thinking causes us to dig deeper and to delve into the motivation inside our goals. You’re looking for the spark of enthusiasm and connection with your individual authenticity.

SMARTER thinking: is your goal Strength-based? Meaningful? Accountability-inspiring? Risk-taking? True to yourself? Ethical? Reputation-building? When your goal-setting process includes such personal reflection, you evoke your sense of identity and potential. You awaken your desire to explore your potential and to contribute.

SMART goal-setting applies logic to our thinking.

SMARTER goal-setting addresses the more heart-based aspect of goal-setting. The reflection helps us recognize and avoid an otherwise potentially invisible, three-fold hurdle. It's more intangible and emotional. As a result, it's often eminently more powerful, or undermining, when left unexplored.

SMARTER goal-setting causes you to search your heart and mind, to ensure:

Engaging, meaningful direction. It’s direction you want to go in. It matters. It's in sync with your why.

Integrity and strength of alignment. This begins with inner alignment. You'll ensure the goal is congruent with your own values, vision and aspirations. You'll also align with others and with overall and/or underlying purpose and desired outcomes.

Fulfillment. More than results. Better than productivity. Higher than performance. Fulfillment satisfies the need for extrinsic as well as intrinsic accomplishment and reward.

Inspired Accountability

Beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works. To sum, it's so important to set a goal that is SMART -- clear and focused. There's solid benefit to carefully and painstakingly addressing every element of SMART.

But, without heart, your goal-setting is superficial, and less likely to be fulfilled. SMARTER thinking creates a value-added self-check. It's good leadership because:

If you don’t ensure the goal is taking you in a direction you (or those you lead and serve) wish to take; or,

If you don’t have inner, other and outer alignment; or,

If, at the end of the day, the goal doesn’t feel “worth it,”

... well, you are headed to collide with your future – much like the bird careening into the window.

SMARTER goals help ensure that doesn’t happen to you.

Moreover, SMARTER thinking has an amazing effect. It's almost aesthetic -- it’s so palpable. It's a quality that energizes.

The process breathes spirit into your goals and accountability. It's the literal definition of inspiration.

Enjoy this short video and infographic, for whenever you want to revisit this approach. Use them as your companion guides for stronger goal-setting. They're my gift to you. Beyond invisible barriers: goal-setting that works.

_{A version of this post was published in LinkedIn December 2, 2015 by Janice Kobelsky.}

Click to tweet this video. Or, copy/paste to share the link directly: https://youtu.be/sGOYzMqxoeE

Here's an infographic, visual summary of core ideas. Use it when you're goal-setting, to ensure you've considered your goals from all angles.

Click to tweet this infographic Or, share directly from here.

Try it.

SMART goals and SMARTER thinking.

You will create the lift and the 'pull' to ensure
your greatest likelihood of success!

Energizing People. Possibilities. Potential.

A word from Janice. Set meaningful goals. Work towards them. Such a journey creates a sense of empowerment and builds confidence. Knowing your 'why' helps you stay the course. Not only energize your potential, but 'create' it. Make the most of you. Develop your talent, and the talent of those who look to you for leadership.

EMPOWER SUCCESS and CHART YOUR COURSE are two of my online courses in the Think Anew! Centre. They'll enrich and inform your goal-setting. Help you with clarity, focus and direction. I created these resources to extend the reach of ideas and practices that can make a difference. Discern what matters most to you. Define your vision for success. Discover and set your high performance talent development path.

Doing what matters is so essential to wellbeing, happiness -- and productivity. When I sit with someone one-on-one, it's incredible the mountains that are moved! The ripple effect of that reaches beyond us. It can impact countless more lives and leadership.

The world needs more wellbeing. So, I'm writing blogs like this one and creating online courses to reach more of you. To support your success.

They're here, I'm here, for you. Share. Engage. Enrol. Do what feels right to help make a difference. "Your Meaningful Vision, Fulfilled."

Click on either/both links to learn more.

A word from "Team Tony"

When we think of setting goals, reaching high and getting our motivation revved up, there are a few icons that readily come to mind. One of them is often Tony Robbins. Touching countless lives over decades, he continues to encourage us to overcome fear and break any/all 'invisible barriers.'

Team Tony reached out to me recently, having read my blog post and to let me know they thought it was "insightful and well done." How cool! :)

They went on to say, "Our content team at Tony Robbins has recently put together a comprehensive article about setting smart goals to help people fulfill their goals and achieve their resolutions. With over 80% of New Year’s resolutions failing by February, the core concepts from this article would be a great addition to your post and a useful reference for your audience as it includes some strategic goal-setting tips Tony Robbins uses and teaches himself. It would add more value to your article which your readers would appreciate."

I agree -- and am always looking for ways to bring you greater value! So... here's the link to Team Tony's article, with my heartfelt wishes that this post, or his or some other will be just what YOU've been looking for, to energize your potential -- setting -- and fulfilling -- your goals, beyond invisible barriers!

^{https://www.tonyrobbins.com/career-business/the-6-steps-to-a-smart-goal/}

Your Meaningful Vision, Fulfilled.

Challenged. Empowered. Energized. A better you, for a better world.

Let's connect:

What are you doing to set more meaningful goals? To achieve inspired accountability?