Kindness in the Pursuit of Goals

If we have created Big and Specific goals, that means they are going to be hard to attain. There will be missteps along the way, adjustments in your strategies, set backs and road blocks to overcome. There will be some people more motivated than others, and some people more capable than others. As the person setting the goal for a team of administrators, teachers, or students, you will know the endgame and want to get there. The pace at which your team is moving will probably never be what you want it to be.

Beating yourself up over this, or getting down on your team, is not going to be the answer. Progress over perfection is an important mantra. For yourself and those around you. While the last post discussed the importance of accountability, this doesn't mean you need to be an authoritarian. First, understand that if you are getting down on yourself, you may be in what Dan Sullivan refers to as "The Gap." More detail can be heard about on The 1 Thing podcast episode 397. You will feel down about yourself for not being at your goal already, rather than recognizing the gains you have already made. Stepping back to realize this with yourself or your team is important to keep our frustration in check and your motivation thriving.

With your team, if they are struggling to reach their weekly strategies, it is important to ask what's getting in the way, or what support they need. Many people are reluctant to ask for the help they need, or don't know which question to ask first. Most kids won't ask the question for fear of looking stupid in front of their peers or you. Asking the question first, in a non-judgmental way, will free the person or people you are with to open up and make progress.

There might come a point where asking is not enough, but that's a bridge to cross down the road.

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