Once again, I'd like to start this week's post off with a question. After last week's post we know that to be productive we need to focus our energy on those actions that will have real impact. But I ask you...
What is it you want to have an impact on?
There are an infinite number of things each of us can have an impact on in this world. So how do you know which things you should be impacting? To put it plainly...you have to know your goals.
These could be short term, like wanting to buy that new gaming console. They could be long term, like wanting to retire in some foreign land decades from now. Or anywhere in between. But regardless of their timeline, you have to know where it is you want to go, and then execute on the actions with big impact that will move you in that direction.
If you don't know what your goals are, it's like getting in the car and driving in a random direction. Sure you could pick the road with the most lanes, or go buy a super fast sports car (ie. pick actions with high impact) but it's more than likely that you'll be cruisin in the wrong direction. And the longer you do this, the further and further you get from where you really wanted to go.
So, how do we avoid this scenic route to nowhere? It's simple: We need to set clear, defined goals.
This week, I challenge you to do something radical: Block out some distraction-free time and write down what it is you want for yourself. Yes, actually write them down! It's not just about having them floating around in your head – getting them down on paper (or screen) makes them real and actionable.
As simple and cliche as this sounds, you would be amazed how many people honestly don't know what they want for themselves. Don't believe me? Try asking a few of your friends what their current goals are. Note how many give you vague, obscure answers, and only list 1 or 2 things. Not that there's anything wrong with only having 1-2 goals. But in my experience, once they figure it out, most people want more out of life than that.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Easier said than done!" Don't worry, I've got your back. Here's a practical approach to goal-setting, inspired by the wisdom of Brian Tracy in his book "Eat That Frog":
- Decide what you want: Short term, long term, and everything in between. Think about what it is you really want. Many people find this challenging, so here are a few things I like to do that help me personally:
- Imagine someone gives you a huge sum of money. What are 3-5 things you know you would want to buy?
- Imagine your school or work gave you 6 months of paid vacation. What is it you would want to do with your time?
- Imagine 10-20 years from now, you're invited to have dinner with someone you deeply admire and respect (a celebrity, hero, ancestor, mentor, anyone). What kinds of *true* stories about your life would you hope to be able to tell them?
- Imagine you're nearing the end of your natural life. You're looking through photos and mementos from the various adventures of your life. What adventures do you want to be included?
- This one's a bit silly, but are you a Harry Potter fan? What would you see if you looked in the Mirror of Erised? (did you notice *Erised* is *Desire* spelled backward?)Write it down: Get your goals out of your head and into the physical world. Make them tangible!
Set a deadline: I like to think of the wise words of Robert Herjavec, "A goal without a deadline is just a dream." Decide when you want that thing to be real in your life. And if you can't point to it on a calendar, it's not a good deadline. So if you wrote down "someday" or "eventually", try again!
Make a list: Write down every single thing you know you'll have to do in order to accomplish each goal. From the most difficult things, to the easiest and mundane, create a list of everything you would have to do in order to accomplish that goal. Add these all to your todo list!
- It's okay if you don't think of everything. Think of as much as you can today, and as you think of more actions later, add them to your list.- Create a plan: Figure out which of the actions you wrote down have to be done first or that block other actions. Figure out the order things need to be done, and which things can be done at the same time as others.
- A lot of people find doing this visually using hand drawn boxes, a Kanban board, or something similar is very beneficial.Take immediate action: Do something...do anything! Don't wait until after dinner, or until tomorrow. Take any action toward a goal right now!
Take action every day: Every single day you should take action toward at least one of your goals. You should never allow a single day to pass where you can't look back on it and see that you completed some kind of action toward a goal.
Review your goals daily: Keep your goals fresh in your mind. I like to start by day by taking just a couple minutes to read my list of goals and imagine what it would be like if I accomplished each one that day. Let your mind wander a bit. This little visualization exercise really helps me to get in the right headspace as I'm starting my day.
Now that you know the things you want for yourself, and what you have to do to achieve them, you can now start picking the actions from your todo list that will have real impact on things that matter. This is the productivity that allows ordinary people like you and I to do great things.
Remember, the key is to spend your time wisely: Focus on those actions on your todo list that have big impact and support your goals. And minimize time spent on tasks that don't align with your aspirations.
Setting clear goals isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s the foundation for building a meaningful, purpose-driven life. When you know exactly what you want and take consistent, focused action toward it, every step you take brings you closer to the impact you truly want to make. So, don’t let your days be dictated by distractions or tasks that don’t serve your bigger vision. Instead, let your goals guide your actions, and watch how your productivity transforms into genuine progress. Remember: It’s your journey, your impact, and your goals—make them count.
