Tip 30: Outrageous Goal Setting

You have powers you never dreamed of.
You can do things you never thought you could do.
There are no limitations in what you can do except
the limitations of your own mind.
Darwin P. Kingsley

Sometimes it can be just too boring — too safe — to go with the standard SMART formula for goals. According to the SMART formula, when setting yourself a goal you should make sure it is

S = Specific

M = Measurable

A = Achievable

R = Realistic

T = Time Defined

I agree that a goal needs to be specific, measurable and time defined. For example, setting a goal to lose weight isn’t nearly as effective as saying I’m going to lose 10 pounds by my friend’s wedding in June. It gives you something specific to aim for by a certain date and you can measure your progress. So far so good. It is true, too, that goals need to be achievable and realistic. But sometimes setting yourself a totally outrageous and crazy goal can be far more motivating.

This book is a good example. Last year, on a bit of a whim, I went for a reading with an astrologer friend of mine. She told me that this was a great time to get new projects up and running, and that writing and communication were really well favoured. When I mentioned that I’d been thinking of writing a new book, her eyes lit up and she said that this would be the perfect time. Scrutinising further aspects of my chart she informed me with a smile that I had seven days to do it!

Galvanised by this absolutely ludicrous target, I went home and worked solidly. My focus was absolute and ten days later the book you’re reading now was about 60% finished. I have absolutely no doubt that what galvanised me into action was having such an outrageous goal to achieve.

QUESTION: Would it inspire you to set yourself a completely outrageous goal? If so, what? And if not now, when?

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated.
You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.
David Lloyd George

Ordinary people believe only in the possible.
Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or
probable, but rather what is impossible.
And by visualizing the impossible,
they begin to see it as possible.
Cherie Carter-Scott

Shoot for the moon.
Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.
Les Brown