Many of us look to improve our lives and feel a sense of achievement by setting ourselves big, important goals.
Whether in our personal or professional lives, setting ambitious targets can definitely be motivating. However, successfully navigating the path towards these goals is what truly matters
After all, it is easy enough to set off on an arduous journey, but much harder to see it through to the finish.
Fortunately, there are some techniques related to the way that goals work that you can use to help you reach your big goals.
I look at these in detail below. But here are the key takeaways.
Key Points
But here is the summary of the best techniques for breaking down big goals to drive success.
Breaking down big goals into smaller tasks (pathway tasks) is essential for manageable progress. It reduces overwhelm and increase your chances of success.
Plan your pathway tasks so that you can accomplish them in the right order, with as little doubling back as possible.
Recognise the different types of goals you may need to set to achieve your big goals. For example, are there any skills or capabilities you first need to develop before you can make progress?
Take account of feedback and reflect on progress. As a result, make any necessary adjustments to your pathway tasks.
Recognise small wins – this bolsters your motivation and gives you a sense of ongoing accomplishment.
Build a good support network around you.
1. Set achievable goals
Setting achievable goals is pivotal to your success.
Of course, it is no good setting impossible goals. I know, for example, that I am never going to compete in an Olympic games or become the CEO of a listed company. But, it is important to understand that seemingly out-of-reach goals can become achievable by being broken down into progressive steps towards the ultimate aim.
For example, I recently completed the ‘Couch to 5K’ exercise programme. The programme aims to get people who never exercise to run 5km (3.1 miles) without stopping. This seemed impossible for me before I started, as I had done little or no meaningful exercise for years.
Yet the programme broke down the journey into incremental steps, with each step requiring you to run a little further. In the end, admittedly with a sore ankle and creaking left knee, I did manage to run the 5km - and have done so several times since.
So, the important thing is to be realistic, set big goals, for which there is a pathway to success.
2. Break down big goals into the right types of goals
The fear of big goals can often paralyse action. To prevent this, start by defining clear and specific objectives that align with your skills and values.
Think about what you want to achieve and how you can get there. Be realistic about the timeframes and be prepared to be patient, intentional and methodical in your approach.
An important step is to thing about the different types of goals you may need to set.
For example, you should take into account any new skills you need to facilitate your progress and factor in some learning goals to your plan.
You should also frame your goals in a positive way and make sure that they they align with your strengths and values so that you can maintain motivation in the face of any setbacks you meet along the way. Goals that align with your strengths and values are called ‘self-concordant goals’
Self-concordant goals are goals that you pursue out of genuine personal interest rather than external pressures or obligations. Research has shown that self-concordant goals can positively impact goal attainment, well-being, and personal growth.
Once your overarching goals are outlined, it’s time to create a structured plan with incremental stages. These are what I call your pathway tasks. Develop a timeline with manageable steps and deadlines, ensuring each stage builds upon the last.
Keep your focus narrow to minimise feeling overwhelmed and use lists to keep track of your progress. This approach allows you to adjust your path when faced with setbacks, maintaining your pathway to success.
3. Understand the power of progress
In the quest for achieving your goals, it is important to recognise and acknowledge the successes you have along the way, however small. These not only contribute to your overall progress but also enhance your emotional well-being and motivation, thereby helping you to keep moving forward.
Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer came up with what they called the Progress Principle, a concept highlighting the value of achievements, however small, in maintaining motivation and momentum.
In their 2011 Harvard Business Review article, they say:
Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform.
Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The power of small wins. Harvard business review, 89(5), 70-80.
Regular acknowledgment of small accomplishments can elevate mood, boost your confidence, and contribute to a higher sense of purpose. This acknowledgement leads to a positive feedback loop, where your positive emotions become a catalysing force for further achievements. Thus, when your brain perceives progress, it reinforces your actions, pushing you to continue and establishing a resilient motivation cycle.
4. Utilise feedback and support systems
Feedback is instrumental in guiding your progress. Whether it’s positive reinforcement or constructive criticism, it helps refine your actions and propels you forward.
Establish a support system that provides this necessary feedback and take time to reflect yourself on whether you need to adjust your plans in light of what you have learned along the way.
Regulating progress towards your goals in this way is absolutely critical in ensuring you stay on track to your ultimate destination. Read more here:
5. Overcome setbacks and challenges
Setbacks and challenges are an inevitable part of the journey. When encountering these, it’s vital to have strategies to regain focus and continue to move forward.
First, acknowledge the setback without judgement—consider what you can learn from it. Then, reassess your approach and adjust your strategy if necessary. It is helpful to consider:
The impact of the setback on your motivation.
Alternative pathways to your goal that might now be apparent.
Resilience in the face of challenges will ensure your progress is sustained.
I have a post on 11 principles you can employ for overcoming obstacles to achieve goals.
Summing up
So, as you can see, achieving success in reaching big goals requires a clear plan of specific action steps (breaking down big goals) to make the pathway to your goal manageable.
But it is also really important to monitor your progress, recognise your successes, and be self-reflective, acting on feedback received along the way.
If you keep going, and are intentional in focusing your energy in this way you can make progress towards your ultimate aims.
References
Sheldon, K., & Elliot, A. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: the self-concordance model. Journal of personality and social psychology, 76 3, 482-97 .
All of my posts on goals and goal setting are here.