Francis Chan stated so eloquently stated,”Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” The depth of truth in that statement gives me goose-bumps. Oh how often we find ourselves, succeeding at the things we are good at and never pushing ourselves try different and greater things that will really matter in our lives, our companies and our relationships.
There is a difference in achieving something that took a lot of effort and achieving something that is meaningful, great, and lasting. I have thought about this and wondered how can I determine if a goal I have really matters.
Avoiding Meaningless Goals & Meaningless Leadership
Work through the following steps, to determine if a goal you have is really meaningful and to avoid meaningless leadership in your organization:
- Will this goal contribute to my long-term success?
- Will achieving this goal make me (a better leader, a better spouse, a better manager….etc…)?
- Talk with friends, coaches, family, subordinates and colleagues and ask them if the goal you are making is meaningful and really matters. This is especially important if your goal effects them.
- Ask yourself, if nothing held me back, is there a goal that is higher on the same ladder that will be more meaningful? Don’t short-change yourself by not pushing hard enough.
These steps, while simple will push you beyond a stretch. Meaningful often means harder, but not necessarily, but the rewards are hugely greater if you achieve a meaningful goal and create meaningful leadership successes. It is better to work hard and fail inches from a hard meaningful goal, than to succeed at tiny meaningless goals.
So don’t be afraid of the “F” word, FAILURE, be afraid of setting meaningless goals for yourself or your organization, for with meaningless goals, comes meaningless leadership.
Setting Meaningful Goals t0 Avoid Meaningless Leadership
I recommend reading The Ultimate Personal Success Plan and follow the 4 steps listed above to get on the path of creating goals that will be meaningful to you, your organizations, and your relationships.
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So, now that you’ve read this article, how are you going to use this information to bring more meaning to your goal achievement and avoid meaningless goals and meaningless leadership?
Please take a moment and share your ideas in the comments section below, share this with your social media friends, and subscribe to receive A Slice of Leadership notices, as well as occasional leadership advice, articles, tips and freebies.
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About Todd Nielsen
Vero interesting, thanks
There is certainly a lot of truth in the article. It's too often the fear of failure that holds people back so they resort to living in the comfort zone.
Hi Todd,
Great article! I find that most people make at least 1 of 3 big mistakes when they go to set goals.
1. They look at their current results and add a little something, i.e., 10% increase. This is something that they know they can do, but it’s completely uninspiring and it’s no challenge.
2. They’re still looking at the results (basically thinking in reverse), but then they pick a goal that they ‘think’ they can do. Usually there is some kind of plan that’s quite elaborate based on various contingencies made in a snapshot of time. If one of those things doesn’t happen, then they give up the goal.
3. The 3rd mistake is really huge. This is where people get so hung up on ‘how’ they are going to achieve the goal that they never get into action going for it. Fear of the F word is right before their eyes.
The purpose of a goal is what we become in the process of achieving — or not achieving it. Just going after one already changes the person. If the goal is big enough, it requires one to up the ante. The test if the goal is a good one is when it excites and scares the person. They are excited at the thought of reaching it and scared because they don’t know how they are going to do it.
Just take a step.
I’m looking forward to reading more articles from you!
Susan Bagyura, Author
The Visionary Leader
Great points Susan. Thanks you so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you 100%.
Thanks,
Todd Nielsen
Hey Susan,
I love this, “They are excited at the thought of reaching it and scared because they don’t know how they are going to do it.” So perfectly put!
Great post, Todd.
Todd,
You are speaking my language with this post. A meaningful life and meaningful work are not something reserved for the famous or powerful. We owe it to ourselves and those whom we love and lead to know the answers to the questions you pose and to be in action to bring them into reality.
Nice gentle kick in the butt.
Shawn
Thanks Shawn, I am glad you found value in the article and a good kick in the butt never hurt anyone. 🙂
This is fantastic advice. Fear of failure is a thief and one of the many reasons we delay uncomfortable situations and dialogue. If you hit your goals every time, you have set your standards too low. Incredible that since I have been listening smart people like you, I have found myself questioning my sanity, and old way of doing things. I guess that’s a good thing since the old way wasn’t working at all.
FailForward
http://www.connectatwork.net
Thanks for the comment David. I have found that the more success that comes my way, the more and more I realize that I have so much to learn. So it is good that you are questioning your habits and way of doing things, because most people in life just coast by without ever stretching themselves to become greater and more successful.